Gas costs are hurting business and have been for some time. Making informed and smart decisions using good data can help reduce operating costs. The measurement and monitoring of energy flows such as gas, steam, hot water, hot air or electricity is needed, however it can be technically challenging and often expensive.<\/p>\n
For these reasons, a well-thought-out measurement and monitoring plan is an essential part of any industrial site, and can be achieved using a 5-step process:<\/p>\n
Step 1<\/strong> \u2013 Specify the goal and understand what is already known. Step 1 \u2013 Specify the goal and understand what is already known.<\/strong> Once the objective is clear, spend time determining what data is available and what additional metering is necessary. In many cases some metering is already in place but unused.<\/p>\n Step 2 \u2013 Prioritise what to measure.<\/strong> Step 3 \u2013 Investigate and select energy management software and long term data storage solution<\/strong> Step 4 \u2013 Specify and select suitable meters and their communication system.<\/strong> Step 5 \u2013 Develop a budget and implementation plan.<\/strong>
\nStep 2<\/strong> \u2013 Prioritise what to measure.
\nStep 3<\/strong> \u2013 Investigate and select energy management software and long term data storage
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\nStep 4<\/strong> \u2013 Specify and select suitable meters and their communication system.
\nStep 5<\/strong> \u2013 Develop a budget and implementation plan<\/p>\n
\nThis is the essential part of a metering and monitoring upgrade as it determines the useful data and how it will be used. Other equally valid goals could be:<\/p>\n\n
\nKeeping in mind the initial goal, determine the highest priority energy flows that need to be measured. Start by building a preliminary energy balance on either the site, a specific utility, a plant area or an individual piece of equipment. It isn\u2019t necessarily the largest energy users that are the priority.<\/p>\n
\nBefore jumping in to select meters, consider how to collect and store the data, as well as who needs the information. The purpose of metering is to provide data that is usable, and insights are acted upon. Data collection may use a pre-existing data management or SCADA system, or a new online portal.
\nThe range of people needing to access the data might range from plant operators, plant managers, energy managers, or compliance personnel.<\/p>\n
\nThere are hundreds of different meters available on the market, and all of them have different benefits and drawbacks. Consider things like precision, repeatability, flow range, method of installation and format of the data being reported.<\/p>\n
\nThe budget and implementation plan of the metering and monitoring project must consider:<\/p>\n