Submetering Can Track Energy Usage More Closely
October 9, 2012
Today's tip is to consider installing submetering technology. With the increased focus on resource conservation, energy management has come to the forefront of many conversations. Quantifying system performance has become essential in providing a true measure of conservation, and submetering is becoming a common tool to achieve these goals.
An EMS with main electrical service monitoring offers a historical trend log for operators to evaluate overall power use and spikes in energy use. Submetering aids in isolating locations where power is used and factors contributing to the spikes.
Identifying the systems to submeter is an exercise in defining, categorizing and programming groups of systems that align with facility operations and functional spaces. For example, in a primary academic environment, a submetering model might consist of categories for lighting, plug loads, heating, cooling, fans, pumps, computers and other. A hospital might expand the systems monitored to include medical air and medical vacuum.
One critical factor in realizing the benefits of submetering is tracking and monitoring post-construction energy use, whether in dollars, kilowatt hours, or Btu. Discrepancies between forecasted and actual use levels will be apparent, and managers can implement an appropriate course of action.
In some cases, this step requires retrocommissioning the systems by evaluating trend logs, building use, and control sequences, and making adjustments to optimize energy use without harming building operations. In other cases, it might require additional investigation into the human factor and the actual use of the facility.
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