Saving energy has been a major concern since households and companies started consuming greater amounts of energy, especially in the form of electricity, the major fuel for most operations and processes performed on a daily basis.
However, a few things have changed along the years when it comes to using energy more efficiently and consciously. Indeed, there is greater awareness in regards to the impact of non-renewable sources of energy to the planet and in the emission of greenhouse gases.
Throughout history, there have been several initiatives from organisations, countries or regions to unify people, share economy and assets, or divide the responsibilities between each member of a group.
However, several initiatives that involve giving control to the masses have ended up being politicised, or created debates on whether one economic system is better than the others.
If you are a business owner, you know how much of your annual operating budget goes toward your energy costs.
Running a business of any size requires overhead costs, and the necessity of keeping your lights on and HVAC running is an ever-present reality – especially if you are a business that welcomes customers through your doors.
Through its educational virtues and its playful dimension, game is a powerful lever for raising awareness of complex issues. These past years this principle has taken on new importance thanks to the expansion of new technologies. Indeed, whether it is a competition, applications to help people discover a sector, serious games…, the frontier between the playful domain (game) and the serious domain (company or individual management, research, education, etc.) has become blurred.
More recently, there is a term that has been used especially for those applications which feature elements of games: Winning/losing, challenges and rewards/penalties. This term is gamification and refers to the meeting of the two universes.
The way we produce and supply energy, also known as the energy value chain, is undergoing a major shift these days. For utilities, what were once easily predictable, low-risk and safe investments are quickly turning into liabilities. As one analyst recently told the Economist, “Never in recent history has the deployment of capital been more difficult than it is right now within the energy industry.”
As utilities adjust to operating in uncertainty, they must face the disruption of their traditional business model and take on new roles in the energy value chain.
A new report from the ENTRUST project has detected 10 emerging business models for utilities, inspired by examples of finding new ways to add value in the face of disruption and digital transformation. In each one, the way utilities operate and innovate in the new energy paradigm looks a little bit different.
Learn how each business model works in the infographic below.
At the start of an energy efficiency project, you’ll need to decide which system you want to put in place. You may have come across the terms SCADA and EMS. For anyone not familiar with industrial and energy management systems you will need to understand the difference and work out which one is right for your project. In an earlier blog post, we defined what SCADA and EMS are. In this article, we discuss their differences, the key considerations for your energy project, and also how they can work together.
For the last few years, Blockchain technology has been one of the most mentioned terms, not only in the world of IT, but also in finance (FinTech) and banking, where it has been most disruptive, as it is what makes it possible for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and several others to exist and be usable.
According to The US Environmental Protection Agency, “sustainable manufacturing is the creation of manufactured products, through economically-sound processes that minimise negative environmental impacts while conserving energy and natural resources.”
This is a succinct and accurate definition. But it doesn’t even begin to show the scope of impact sustainability has had and will continue to have on the manufacturing industry in the coming years.
What can we do in our buildings to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection? Are there measures beyond complete disinfection of work spaces to facilitate re-entry?
These are questions we have received from many customers over the past few weeks. In our article this week, we’ll outline 7 Measures you can take to prepare your buildings for reopening after COVID-19 lockdown and prevent the spread of COVID-19 or similar viruses in your facilities.
The core activities in energy-intensive industries – and all other industries – run on machines that are under the direct control and management of the Maintenance Department.
Indoor comfort in large commercial buildings and residential complexes are also controlled by the Maintenance Teams.
Since improving energy efficiency is a major worldwide concern, it makes sense that the activities of the maintenance department should be recognised as the linchpin in any energy efficiency drive. Find out the 5 ways to make your Maintenance Department more Energy Efficient.
It’s that time of year again – the perfect moment to take a step back, take stock and review our energy management projects to understand what went well and what might be improved next year. What better way to start than with a quick refresher on which topics and energy management articles have been the … Read more
Big Data and Data Science make up a set of technological strategies used to group and analyse large amounts of data from consumers and the electrical system. It helps detect customers’ consumption trends, their segmentation, and possible preferences to achieve better service and healthier profits.
