What are the Benefits of using an Energy Analytics Platform?
The management of energy and sustainability data is changing thanks to advances in technology over the past few years. Nowadays, utility data is crucial for organizations as they want to demonstrate their commitment to energy efficiency and climate action goals.
Historically, utility data was collected and processed using spreadsheets or in some cases simply filed away in filing cabinets. As expected, this was not the most conducive to collaboration or goal setting.
Thankfully there are now software tools available to help organizations streamline and automate this work. That’s where energy analytics tools such as JadeTrack come in.
JadeTrack makes tracking, benchmarking, analyzing and reporting a simpler process. Reducing time intensive and error-prone processes along the way.
Get Clearer Insights Into Energy & Sustainability Data
Whatever sector you’re in, it makes sense to have visibility into energy performance so you can find ways to cut waste and save money. One challenge is that data may come from many different sources and in different formats. Processing the data can be cumbersome and redundant.
Data can come from sources such as billing information from the accounting team or bill pay systems, sub-meters, Building Automation Systems (BAS), and more. JadeTrack pulls data from all of the above into one platform.
For insight into factors that may impact your monthly bill, an energy analytics platform allows you to set audits and alerts on an as needed basis.
Operational Efficiency Meets Energy Efficiency
Getting visibility into energy consumption and costs can improve efficiency by eliminating energy waste through low- or no-cost measures such as scheduling, commissioning, and occupant or operator practices.
For those that already have an understanding of monthly utility bill data and are ready for more granular details, using JadeTrack real-time monitoring, provides energy consumption in 15-minute intervals. Helping identify opportunities for immediate energy efficiency improvements.
Is your energy use lower on weekends because of lower occupancy or shorter opening hours? Do those spikes in energy consumption come from an increase in visitors, or cold weather on those days?
Organizations with more granular levels of energy monitoring information have the potential to gain deeper performance insights and thus greater savings over time.
Next, we dug into the building’s control logic and found a setting that was causing the chiller to cycle in response. Once we fixed the logic, the chiller settled into a smooth operating curve. Building controls can give a false sense of security, but the whole building energy picture captured by the JadeTrack platform captures everything.”
Similar to using a personal coach or exercise equipment as a means to get in shape, an energy analytics platform enables savings, rather than directly generating savings.
How to Pick the Right Energy Analytics Software
Ideally, your data, and the way you work with it, should mesh with your desired outcomes. There are several solutions out there for tracking energy and sustainability data, and each solution has strengths and weaknesses. For example, spreadsheets are a slow and inefficient way of collecting and reporting on high-volume data but also represents a low upfront cost.
If you’re not sure what will work for you, consider the following:
- What are your goals? For example are you interested in earning LEED points, or working towards your ENERGY STAR certification? Do you need to view specific information to do your job? Your software should make those jobs easier for you.
- Take an inventory of your existing data. What information do you already collect? Does the software make it easy for you to bring this data into your reporting workflow?
- Engage with your key stakeholders. Understand their concerns, workflows and needs so you can get everyone on board with the new software.
- Create a centralized data management plan. Having clarity on what information should be gathered, and what it is used for, will help improve uptake.
If you’d like to know more about how JadeTrack works and how it can help improve your business’ energy management needs, request a demo today. Our team would be happy to discuss the best options for your business.
