Energy Management Tools

We were standing in the middle of one of our production halls. Machines humming. People focused. And one laptop screen showing us something crucial: our energy reality. Mathias Weßelmann and I weren’t looking at a dashboard for the sake of it. We were looking at live data from our Energy Management Service Proficloud.io. It didn’t just show consumption—it revealed patterns, inefficiencies, and opportunities. This system connects machines, infrastructure, and buildings into one transparent energy landscape. And ISO 50001 gives us a solid framework for this. But the real value comes when we bring it to life with digital tools. Tools that don’t just collect data, but help us understand where we’re wasting energy, where we’re efficient, and where we can do better. That’s what our Energy Management Service is about. It connects the dots between data, people, and action. Real-time insights allow us to act immediately, not wait for monthly reports. That’s a shift—from reactive to proactive operations. And it supports our sustainability goals without slowing us down. How are you approaching energy management in your operations? Are you using live data or still relying on manual tracking? I’d be interested to hear what’s working for you and where you see room for improvement. Energy efficiency is becoming a strategic capability. Not because it’s required, but because it makes us better. Better at making decisions, better at reducing costs, better at building resilient operations. And that’s exactly what industrial transformation demands. And sometimes, it starts with two people, one laptop, and the willingness to look closer.

Publicly Accessible Energy Storage Systems (ESS) Simulation Price-taker models are suitable for small-scale ESS as their capacity does not influence market prices or system dispatch. This post highlights DOE price-taker valuation tools. 🟦 1) QuESt  QuESt is a free, open-source Python application suite for energy storage simulation and analysis, developed at Sandia National Laboratories. It includes three interconnected applications:  1- QuESt Data Manager,  2-QuESt Valuation, and  3-QuESt BTM, Eligible technologies include BESS (Li-ion, advanced lead-acid, vanadium redox), flywheels, and PV, using a shared model for different BESS and flywheel types based on their parameters. 🟦 2) Renewable Energy Integration and Optimization (REoptTM)  The REopt™ platform, developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), optimizes energy systems for various applications, recommending the best mix of renewable energy, conventional generation, and energy storage to achieve cost savings, resilience, and performance goals. Eligible technologies include: PV, wind, CHP, electric and thermal energy storage, absorption chillers, and existing heating and cooling systems. 🟦 3) Distributed Energy Resources Customer Adoption Model (DER-CAM)  DER-CAM is a decision support tool from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) designed to optimize DER investments for buildings and multienergy microgrids. Eligible technologies include conventional generators, CHP units, wind and solar PV, solar thermal, batteries, electric vehicles, thermal storage, heat pumps, and central heating and cooling systems. 🟦 4) System Advisor Model (SAM) SAM is a techno-economic computer model that evaluates the performance and financial viability of renewable energy projects. It includes performance models for various systems such as PV (with optional battery storage), concentrating solar power, solar water heating, wind, geothermal, and biomass, and a generic model for comparison with conventional systems. Eligible technology types focus on electrochemical ESS, supporting lead-acid, Li-ion, vanadium redox flow, and all iron flow batteries. Users can also model custom battery types by specifying their voltage, current, and capacity. SAM offers detailed modelling of battery cells, power converters, and factors like degradation, voltage variation, and thermal properties. 🟦 5) Energy Storage Evaluation Tool (ESETTM) ESETTM is a suite of modules developed at PNNL that allows utilities, regulators, and researchers to model and evaluate various ESSs. ESETTM features a modular design for ease of use and currently includes five modules for different ESS types, such as BESSs, pumped-storage hydropower, hydrogen energy storage, storage-enabled microgrids, and virtual batteries. Some applications also include distributed generators and photovoltaics (PV). Source: see post image. Link to the modellers: in the comment section This post is for educational purposes only.

Designing and using a Building Automation System (BAS) in an existing facility to create well-balanced, efficient, and healthy buildings requires both a strategic retrofit plan and careful operational use once installed. Here’s a structured approach: 1. Assessment and Benchmarking Existing Systems Review: Gather drawings, control sequences, and recent testing/air balance (TAB) reports. Map which equipment is automated, semi-manual, or outdated. Occupant Comfort & Health Data: Collect thermal comfort complaints, indoor air quality readings (CO₂, VOCs, humidity), and hot/cold zone reports. Energy Baseline: Benchmark energy use (kWh, therms, kBTU/sq.ft) before changes to measure impact later. 2. System Design for Retrofit Open Protocols: Use BACnet/IP, Modbus, or MQTT gateways to integrate legacy HVAC, lighting, and power monitoring systems into a common BAS platform. Zoning & Control Strategies: Add VAV box controllers, airflow measuring stations, and smart dampers where feasible. Layer demand-controlled ventilation (using CO₂ sensors) to balance health with energy efficiency. Sensor Deployment: Temperature, humidity, CO₂, and occupancy sensors distributed per ASHRAE/Well Building standards. Thermal imaging or wireless sensor networks to identify air balance and comfort issues in real time. Healthy Building Features: Integrate MERV-13+ filtration monitoring and filter life sensors. Add UV-C or bipolar ionization controls (where appropriate). Tie in IAQ dashboards for occupant transparency. 3. Control Sequences & Optimization Air Balance & Comfort: Program supply/return fan tracking and static pressure reset to reduce drafts and ensure balanced airflow. Zone-level setpoint adjustment with occupant feedback loops (via apps or kiosks). Energy Efficiency: Implement chilled/hot water reset schedules. Optimize economizer use for free cooling. Integrate with lighting controls and occupancy sensors for holistic energy management. Safety & Resilience: Alarms for high CO₂, humidity excursions, filter pressure drop, or equipment failures. Cellular failover routers for visibility during network outages (cyber-secure). 4. Operational Use Analytics Layer: Add FDD (Fault Detection & Diagnostics) to identify stuck dampers, simultaneous heating/cooling, or drifting sensors. Continuous Commissioning: Periodic re-balancing aided by real-time BAS data and thermal imaging surveys. Dashboards: Tailor interfaces for facilities, executives, and occupants (different levels of detail). Training: Facility staff must be trained in both BAS operation and comfort/IAQ troubleshooting. 5. Measurable Outcomes Balanced Comfort: More consistent temperatures across spaces, reduced hot/cold complaints. Efficiency Gains: Typically 15–30% energy savings post-retrofit. Health Improvements: CO₂ maintained below 800–1000 ppm, humidity controlled within 40–60%, reduced absenteeism and improved occupant satisfaction.

🔌 What is an Energy Management System (EMS) in the SCADA Energy Sector? As our power grids become more complex and dynamic, the need for smarter control and decision-making is more critical than ever. That’s where Energy Management Systems (EMS) — built on top of SCADA platforms — come in. While SCADA provides the real-time data and control, EMS adds the intelligence needed to operate the grid efficiently, reliably, and securely. 🧠 What can an EMS do? Here are just a few of its core capabilities: 📈 Load Forecasting – Predicts electricity demand over short- and long-term horizons to ensure supply-demand balance, optimize generation scheduling, and reduce operational costs. ⚡ Short Circuit & Contingency Analysis – Simulates potential faults and "what-if" scenarios to help operators plan responses and prevent cascading failures or blackouts. 🔄 Economic Dispatch & Optimal Power Flow (OPF) – Determines the most cost-effective way to operate the grid while respecting system constraints and maintaining stability. 🌐 State Estimation – Provides a real-time model of the power system using SCADA inputs, improving accuracy for system monitoring and decision-making. 🌱 Renewable Integration – Balances variable generation from sources like solar and wind with traditional power plants, ensuring reliability even with fluctuating supply. Together, SCADA and EMS form the central nervous system of modern energy networks — helping utilities deliver power that is not only reliable but also smart and sustainable. As we move toward digital, decentralized, and decarbonized grids, EMS is becoming a strategic asset for grid operators around the world. #SCADA #EMS #EnergyManagement #SmartGrid #PowerSystems #UtilityIndustry #GridOptimization

As industries worldwide race toward digital transformation, the demand for energy is set to rapidly increase in the near and medium term. The rise of AI, data centers, electric vehicles, and smart technologies is pushing energy consumption to unprecedented levels. According to recent forecasts by the International Energy Agency (IEA), global electricity demand could double by 2050, driven largely by these innovations. But this surge isn't just about more power - it's about smarter energy management. Companies face mounting pressure to not only meet their energy needs but to do so sustainably and cost-effectively. This is where innovators like Camber Creek portfolio company Arcadia are stepping in. Through their Enterprise Solutions platform, Arcadia is helping businesses navigate the complex world of energy consumption and sustainability. Their platform provides companies with real-time energy data, analytics, and clean energy sourcing options, enabling them to make data-driven decisions on reducing carbon footprints and optimizing energy costs. See link in comments for more information. In a world where sustainability isn't just a buzzword but a business imperative, tools like Arcadia’s are essential. They empower companies to align their energy strategies with ESG goals while staying competitive in rapidly evolving markets. The energy landscape is shifting. Those who can adapt, leveraging platforms like Arcadia to balance demand with sustainability, will lead the charge into a more resilient, efficient future. How is your organization preparing for this new era of energy demands? #energy #innovation #sustainability #cleanenergy #enterprisesolutions #AI #ESG #venturecapital