ENERGY WEB-BASED IT & CONSULTING
With deregulation of energy markets,
it is possible for real-time control of the cumulative
total electric peak of instantaneous peaks for all
facilities owned by a client, regardless of their
location within a given electrical transmission
system. This real-time ability for load control
could be incorporated with limited two way communications
to reduce coincident demand charges either from
the power grid or the local utility. Energy management
controls not only includes the actual modulation
of systems to maintain the set points desired, but
also includes the trending of multiple control points
shown in convenient “month-at-a-glance”
format. This allows the end user to determine if
the units are operating properly. Trend-log analysis
with respect to a system’s design and sequence
of operation, comparisons across different units,
end use equipment schedule monitoring with respect
to building occupancy schedules and similar activities
are all possible. Such trending of data can also
be in pseudo real-time, so that obvious directions
of trends can be captured early. As part of the
expansion of control technology, higher level “control”
algorithms are being developed that build upon learning
control theory, which has been in various stages
of development.
Until very recently, the use of computerized control
in energy management was limited to optimizing energy
usage. Issues of utility rates had generally been
factored into the algorithms and procedures previously
selected for use within the computer by engineering
consultants familiar with the opportunities in a
given utility service area. With the advent of real-time
pricing (RTP), such past procedures may be inadequate.
Development of energy metering systems, which gather
data in ways that accurately reflect the changing
cost structures of the utilities, is a first step
in this process. In competitive energy markets,
some negotiated energy supply contracts, do not
penalize or reward demand side management measures
directed at peak electric demand control.
So the strategy for saving electrical energy costs
could change as the contract structure changes.
Hence the future missions of energy management may
be more focused on a data management structure,
which can be easily adapted to large variations
in cost control. Also, in
the future, contract windows of a day or a week
may become commonplace, so the actual utility price
structure may be a “constant-variable”
to quote an old joke in engineering and therefore
more robust control designs may be required. This
also points up the absolute necessity for Purchasing
Department Personnel to communicate and plan closely
with the O&M Facilities personnel before signing
a supply side energy contract, since the two functions
of energy cost procurement and energy management
must be coordinated if investment funds are to be
optimized. The authors have seen recent cases where
such planning and coordination was not performed
and the so-called “benefits” of a good
supply side contract virtually negated millions
of dollars annually in benefits from carefully planned
energy investments.
Historically, the connection between these two activities
was much more decoupled, in that small supply side
contract cost reductions, with the same rate structure
had only minimal impact on the payback periods of
energy cost reduction measures (ECRMs). However,
with the near total deregulation in place in much
of North America and Europe today and with much
of the world coming close behind, these issues can
no longer be performed in a near vacuum.
For more information contacts at: info@intelen.gr
