Problem:

After reviewing this month’s utility bill, the customer noticed a significant cost increase from recent months. The increase was unexpected because energy activity should have remained stable, business as usual. He suspects an overcharge from a utility metering error. After calling the utility, they claim the bill is correct without looking into it further. Because he has no method to crosscheck, he feels stuck – both unable to challenge the utility, and unclear about what operations – if any – have caused the increase.

Solution:

Connect a CES Data Collection Module to the utility meter and install a multi-function power meter on the main electric feed. Install a CES SCADA system to collect consumption data from both meters and to calculate plant demand. Visualize the results for improved consumption control and historical review. For long-term storage of energy use add a Historian if desired.

Problem:

A manufacturing facility is planning to add new equipment to their existing facility. Before making a substantial investment, the facilities engineer needs to understand how the different equipment options will impact their existing energy system. Depending on the impact, they may need to add capacity, increasing the total investment, and potentially creating a setback to purchasing.

Solution:

A combination of multi-function digital power meters and/or electronic breaker controls can provide a source of raw data. Connecting these data sources to a SCADA system enables the collection of consumption and capacity data. The SCADA system provides easy access to operating data and can store operating and consumption data for easy retrieval. If long-term storage is desired, adding a Historian allows easy access to multiple years of data. Reviewing the historical data provides clear answers to capacity questions at any time. This not only enables correct decisions about upgrades and additions but can help improve utilization of existing equipment by delaying the need for costly equipment updates.

Problem:

The facilities engineer received a directive from senior management to decrease demand. Later he learned this directive stemmed from the accounting group, who had received 60 day notice from the utility company that they will be doubling demand charges.

Solution:

A properly designed SCADA system connected to multi-function digital metering and/or utility meters allows the collection of consumption data. Processing the consumption data through the SCADA system allows the calculation of demand and peak demand for individual circuits and the entire plant. Correct design ensures correlation between the equipment demands and the plant demand. This enables the facilities' engineer to identify the individual load contributions to the plant demand. As a result, operating changes can be made to reduce demand and the associated costs.

Problem:

A research lab facility uses electric power for a variety of uses that are sensitive to abnormal voltage dips and spikes. When abnormalities occur, the equipment restarts. Lately, these instances have been increasing for no apparent reason, causing many research test resets, data loss, and frustration between internal research and facilities teams.

Solution:

Capturing high speed quality events requires a high speed electric meter or relay. After these are installed, they can be connected to a CES SCADA system to capture and notify operating personnel of real-time quality events. This will allow operating personnel to identify causes of power quality problems and implement corrective actions.

Problem:

A hospital purchases electricity and natural gas to power the facility, and to generate steam for other uses. Currently, each energy form is measured differently, making it difficult to understand energy conversion and efficiency. Being able to measure energy use in a common unit is critical to understanding total energy use and to measuring the ecological impacts of decisions about different energy forms.

Solution:

Connecting metering for the various energy types to a CES SCADA system allows the collection of raw consumption data. The SCADA system calculates interval consumption for each data type and converts consumptions values to a common unit.

As a result all energy types can be compared on the same scale or graph. If long-term history is desired, adding a Historian will provide easy access to years of energy information. As a result all energy types can be compared on the same scale or graph. Comparing energy in common units enables easy understanding of the ecological impacts of different energy decisions with the goal of reducing those impacts on the environment. If long-term history is desired, adding a Historian will provide easy access to years of energy information.