This blog has put out monthly articles on simple, inexpensive ways for companies and buildings to save energy. These are good tips and have proven successful in the “real world.” However, these tips focus on individual pieces of equipment (HVAC, lights, etc.) or practices, and therefore, while cost effective, may not be the “home run” of energy savings that a company wants. A report by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy looks at energy efficiency differently, taking the larger view. Their report, “A Defining Framework for Intelligent Efficiency” (http://aceee.org/research-report/e125), concludes that as a nation we can reduce energy consumption by 22% and save billions of dollars per year in energy costs by implementing “intelligent efficiency.” For some individual companies and buildings, the percent cost savings can be much greater.

The report discusses system efficiency opportunities to produce and distribute energy that can result in significant savings. The report discusses how major improvements in IT (information technology), such as the Internet, sensors, and communicating readings between equipment, can result in properly using and distributing energy cost-effectively.

Here are 2 such strategies cited in the report that can result in energy efficiency gains:

Manufacturing often uses intricate equipment with complex electricity and steam needs. Advanced sensors and controls can record real-time energy usage and operational information and feed it through the Internet to pinpoint changes in demand over time. Sensors and controls with the proper software can link to a company’s existing software to regulate energy usage, reducing waste and saving costs.

Real-time energy usage data in office buildings can also save money. Some office buildings already use systems that compute electricity usage between different offices and functions and communicate them to individuals at their desks or on a video monitor for all to see. The key is to give tenants real-time data to better understand the major energy consuming operations and to determine gains in energy efficiency by implementing different strategies. Such “what if” analyses can lead to cost savings.

While there will continue to be improvement in individual component efficiencies, the systems-based approach can result in major energy efficiency gains to result in measureable energy cost savings and reduce energy risk.

CCES can work with your engineering and IT staff to develop and help implement intelligent energy systems to help you understand your energy usage and improve efficiency. We can also recommend strategies to improve the efficiency and save you money for the individual components, as well.