Monitoring energy use is a critical step in the process of Strategic Energy Management (SEM). In essence, “one cannot manage what they cannot measure”.
The most basic form of energy metering is to use the utility billing meter to provide consumption data, typically once per billing cycle. Sub-metering refers to any energy metering system ‘downstream’ of the utility meter.
The use of sub-meters with data collection capabilities can provide building owners and energy managers with more granular data, offering more insight into energy performance and potential opportunities than the use of the utility meter alone.
By installing meters and submeters, building owners can measure energy demand and consumption in real-time for individual buildings, spaces, processes, and systems. Submetering can be a cost-effective tool to identify and manage peak demands and sources of energy waste and to evaluate the available capacity of electrical systems before investing in distribution upgrades.
With more detailed information on energy performance, you can compare systems and increase control of your building operations. For buildings with tenants, it also allows you to monetize your operations by metering each tenant separately and accurately billing for what they consumed.
How Prism can help
Prism helps you take full advantage of various aspects of metering and submetering.
Temporary metering
We can install temporary meters to determine the local load for a certain period. This approach can be beneficial before any new investment is made requiring higher energy demand or consumption.
By using temporary meters and submeters, you can rapidly spot potential issues within the existing system, make informed recommendations for necessary changes, and avoid unnecessary upgrades.
Metering system design
With the installation of metering systems on downstream loads or specific circuits, we can help you make choices based on real-time data.
Let’s say you are evaluating the financial impacts of an existing lighting design being upgraded to a modern LED lighting system. By incorporating a metering system to measure the existing and the new lighting system, Prism can help you determine any spare capacity, which could then be utilized to add EV chargers or upgrade your HVAC system.
If you are in the retail industry, we can design a system that will unify all energy bills of your tenants under only one meter, minimizing billing administration fees from the utility.
Metering provides the added benefit of providing overall system loading and tenant loading. This gives you the ability to respond to new tenant electrical requirements confidently.
PUMA Utility Monitoring and Analysis
Using our sister company, PUMA, you can add to your system knowledge and better manage your energy and utility costs.
PUMA software allows for data to be read from submeters in addition to utility meters. Its benchmarking capacity and accurate and timely data collection give you a precise view of your building’s performance compared to other similar buildings. It is a great tool to help you achieve operational improvements that reduce energy costs.
Potential Benefits of Metering & Submetering
- More insight into energy performance than provided by standard utility bills.
- Make informed decisions based on real-time data.
- More precision in measuring power quality, peak demands, and energy waste.
- Ability to evaluate the energy performance of individual buildings.
- Market your power capacity to address tenants’ specific needs.
- Follow up closely on the effectiveness of energy conservation measures.