Measured management. It’s not something we always think about in terms of energy efficiency and reliability. Most of the time, success or failure is based on that utility bill—did it go down this month, or are we paying more? Perhaps it’s time to switch out some light bulbs, or rejigger the thermostat.
But energy efficiency is not just about dollars and sense. It’s not even solely concerned with reduced consumption. To be truly efficient, you need to manage your resources wisely, use the right power in the right context, and know when it makes sense to dim the lights instead of turning them off, or when you really must power down the heavy equipment or switch to onsite generation.
And that is why energy management systems (EMS) are essential.
Last week, I caught a quick flight to Seattle for the West Coast Energy Management Conference—billed as the “largest energy conference and technology expo held on the US West Coast specifically for business, industrial, and institutional energy users.” Over two days, the West Coast EMC hosted a multi-track conference with experts in new technology, energy management implementation, and “facility optimization and sustainability.” The conference really was a one-stop-shop for anyone and everyone concerned with intelligent energy use.
While speaking to the helpful and knowledgeable exhibitors and staff, I learned about all the latest energy management technologies available and how fine-tuning energy use can increase productivity and help control budgets. Ultimately, though, it became clear to me that without management, there can be no real efficiency.