In order to operate the electrical building infrastructure efficiently and safely, coordinated tools are required, in particular energy measuring devices and EMAS software. The editorial team interviewed Jens Schübel, Technical Manager at PQ Plus GmbH.
Ronald Heinze
Can you explain how EMAS software works in the context of energy management and sustainable building infrastructure and what key benefits it offers?
J. Schübel: EMAS software can play a central role. It is used to monitor and manage the energy consumption of buildings and infrastructures. It enables a detailed analysis of energy consumption, the identification of potential savings and the implementation of measures to improve energy efficiency. The software helps to collect, analyze and prepare data in order to create reports in accordance with EMAS requirements. A central component of EMAS is the continuous improvement approach. The software can serve as a platform to support dialog with relevant stakeholders and create transparency. The key benefits of using EMAS software in the context of energy management and sustainable building infrastructure are more efficient use of resources, compliance with regulations, promotion of a sustainable corporate culture and building trust with customers. Ultimately, the software can help companies to remain competitive in the long term and make a positive contribution to the environment.
Measurement technology for panel mounting: The UMD 98 is used in low-voltage main distribution boards and sub-distribution boards and is particularly suitable for local network stations, data centers and hospitals.
How do energy meters and EMAS software complement each other in monitoring and improving the energy efficiency and safety of electrical building infrastructures?
J. Schübel: Energy meters and energy management software complement each other perfectly when it comes to monitoring and improving the energy efficiency and safety of electrical building infrastructures. Energy meters record energy consumption in real time at various points in the building. The energy management software collects this data and presents it in clear dashboards that enable users to monitor energy consumption and identify trends. By analyzing the data from the energy measuring devices, the energy management software can identify potential savings. It can also be configured to trigger alarms if energy consumption increases unexpectedly or moves outside predefined limits.
Please present your range of energy meters and EMAS software!
J. Schübel: Our energy meters offer a wide range of functions and options to more than meet the requirements of energy management. From low-cost energy meters and universal meters with high accuracy, to our compact and modular system for a variety of central measurements, to our power quality analyzers with high sampling and additional measurement inputs for residual current measurements, we cover all applications and requirements. Thanks to the various. interfaces and diverse protocols, such as Modbus, M-Bus, MQTT, SNMP and BACnet IP, the data can be easily integrated into our software as well as into third-party systems via various channels. Modular expansion of the functions and intuitive operation of the devices round off the range. We always supply free and unlimited evaluation and analysis software. We provide our Envis Web as BAFA-listed and therefore eligible energy management software. It is manufacturer-independent and can be operated both locally and in a data center. Thanks to its many evaluation and visualization options and the licensing model, it is perfect for companies of all sizes and can be flexibly expanded at any time.
How is data from energy meters securely transferred and processed in EMAS software?
J. Schübel: The universal measuring devices and the energy management software have integrated authentication and access control to ensure that only authorized users and devices can access the data. The secure transfer and processing of data from energy meters into energy management software is critical to the efficiency and integrity of the entire system. Users decide where their data is stored. Whether locally in the company, protected by firewalls and equipped with malware, or in the data center in accordance with applicable data protection laws. The software creates back-ups automatically.
Can you share examples or case studies where the use of energy meters and EMAS software has led to significant improvements in energy efficiency and operational safety?
J. Schübel: Energy meters were installed in a production plant to monitor energy consumption in various production areas. This data was integrated into EMAS-compliant energy management software, which enabled the company to analyze energy consumption, identify potential savings and take measures to improve energy efficiency. By continuously monitoring and analysing energy consumption, several efficiency measures were implemented, including identifying and eliminating energy losses in production, optimizing production processes to minimize energy consumption and implementing energy-saving measures such as the use of energy-efficient lighting and cooling systems. These measures lead to a significant reduction in energy consumption in the production plant. Another case study concerns an office building, where energy meters were introduced to monitor energy consumption for lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The data collected was integrated into EMAS-compliant energy management software, which enabled the building management to analyze energy consumption and take measures to improve energy efficiency. By monitoring the energy consumption, inefficient operating times and settings could be avoided.
State-certified electrical engineer and technical business economist Jens Schübel is Technical Manager at PQ Plus GmbH.
How does the combination of energy measuring devices and EMAS software help companies achieve their sustainability goals and meet regulatory requirements?
J. Schübel: The combination of energy measuring devices and energy management software supports companies on several levels in achieving their sustainability goals and meeting regulatory requirements: By continuously monitoring energy consumption with energy measuring devices, companies can identify weak points and detect inefficient operational processes. Energy management software makes it possible to analyze this data in order to take measures to optimize resource utilization. The software can be used to create comprehensive reports about your energy consumption. These reports can be used to track progress toward sustainability goals and communicate them internally and externally. Additionally, they can help companies meet regulatory requirements by providing transparent data. Furthermore, the combination of energy measuring devices and energy management software enables companies to identify savings potential and take targeted measures to improve energy efficiency. Companies can proactively respond to potential risks related to energy consumption and environmental impacts. By continuously monitoring and analyzing data, companies can identify common deviations from targets and take appropriate action to minimize risks and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Modular measurement technology for the top-hat rail: The high-end power quality measuring device MMB 700 in class A
What developments do you see in the near future for energy meters and EMAS software and how will these influence the design of sustainable electrical infrastructures?
J. Schübel: In the near future, we see a number of developments for energy measuring devices and energy management software that will have a significant impact on the design of sustainable electrical infrastructures: Energy measuring devices will increasingly be equipped with smart metering functions that make it possible to monitor energy consumption Monitor in real time and transmit data wirelessly to energy management platforms. By integrating IoT technologies, energy meters can also be networked with other systems and devices in the building to enable holistic control and optimization of energy consumption. Energy management software will increasingly rely on predictive analytics technologies and artificial intelligence to predict future energy consumption patterns and make recommendations to optimize energy consumption. By analyzing large amounts of data, companies can gain more precise insights into their energy consumption and implement more effective measures to improve energy efficiency. As renewables grow in the energy mix, energy management software solutions will increasingly offer features to integrate and optimize renewable energy sources. This includes the ability to synchronize one's own energy consumption with renewable energy production to maximize self-consumption and reduce dependence on conventional energy sources. Blockchain technology will play a larger role in energy management in the future by enabling secure and transparent transactions between energy producers, consumers and network operators. This can make it easier for companies to manage energy efficiency measures, trade renewable energy and incentivize the use of sustainable energy technologies. Given increasing networking and data collection, energy measuring devices and energy management software will have to pay greater attention to the security and protection of energy and consumption data. This includes implementing robust security measures. These developments will help further improve the efficiency and sustainability of electrical infrastructure and help companies achieve their energy goals.
Suppose I were a user who planned to use energy meters and EMAS software to optimize energy efficiency and improve environmental performance. What recommendations do you have?
J. Schübel: Define clear goals for your energy efficiency measures. Think about what areas you want to improve and what quantifiable goals you want to achieve. Consider energy efficiency and environmental protection as an integral part of your company. Take into account not only direct energy consumption, but also indirect influences. Choose energy measuring devices and EMAS software that meet your needs and goals. Pay attention to functionalities such as usability, analysis and reporting functions, and integration options with other systems. Make sure you continuously collect and analyze data to gain insights into your energy consumption and environmental performance. Use this information to identify potential for improving energy efficiency and to derive targeted measures. Train your employees to use the new technologies and raise awareness of the topics of energy efficiency and environmental protection. Leverage employee engagement to drive behavior change. Energy efficiency and environmental protection are not one-off projects, but rather continuous processes. Regularly track your progress, review your goals, and adjust your strategy as needed to ensure you stay on track. Communicate openly about your energy efficiency and environmental protection measures, both internally and externally. Share your successes and challenges and show your commitment to sustainable development. By heeding these recommendations and taking a holistic approach to energy efficiency and environmental protection, you can improve the efficiency of your processes, reduce costs and make a positive contribution to the environment.
Detailed Sankey evaluations with the EMAS software
