Smart meter zones in on energy wastage culprits

VEUTILITY:CONTROLLING ENERGY costs have always been a big challenge for companies, as it can be difficult to identify what system or appliance is hiking the bills. Not any more.

UCD-based scientist, Dr Antonio Ruzzelli, has come up with a system that monitors energy use in minute detail, right down to consumption by individual appliances.

“By using a single plug-and-play electricity sensor clipped at the switchboard, we can provide a cost-effective solution for companies, allowing them to understand their energy use profile by site, building, room – even by ‘offending’ appliance. The implications of this for energy saving and for appliance manufacturers globally are immense,” says Ruzzelli.

The other key differentiator between Ruzzelli’s product and existing systems is that his allows companies to benchmark consumption against other companies. “In a world where utility consumption is the common enemy, monitoring is only part of the solution. Providing a benchmark is a much more powerful tool,” he said.

“A lot of companies already have electricity meters but there is no intelligence or analysis in the system. They only record total consumption. Our system allows plant or facilities managers to see their energy consumption patterns at a glance and to identify where they can make changes to effect savings.

“One example was a hotel kitchen where the ventilation system was being left on all night because nobody was told to turn it off. This was costing thousands of euro a year.

Customers can log onto a portal and see in real time what energy is being consumed. They will quickly identify the ‘major offenders’ in their building and pinpoint appliances that are running when they shouldnt be.”

Ruzzelli has set up Veutility to take his product to market early next year. The company is currently testing it at six locations in Ireland covering the manufacturing, hospitality and services sectors. The product is suitable for companies of all sizes and customers will pay a subscription to use it based on their size.

“We opted for a subscription model because it is simple and clear. Energy consultants often charge a percentage of the amount saved and I know that companies can get annoyed by this. Therefore we felt a subscription model was preferable.”