Manufacturers can maximise energy and operational efficiency by leveraging the Panoramic Power end-to-end energy intelligence platform. This platform combines wireless sensor technology with advanced analytics software to provide real-time energy insights, enabling optimisation of energy and operational performance across an entire site, down to the device and equipment level.
Real-time energy data at your fingertips
By simply clipping wireless IoT sensors to energy-intensive assets at a circuit level, the captured data is analysed and visualised using an advanced energy management platform. This provides a 360-degree view of site-wide power usage at the required level of detail. Additionally, it is possible to monitor gas, heat, air flow, and water consumption, as well as on-site generators like solar systems.
Six Ways Smart Sensors Can Drive Manufacturing Efficiency Savings
1. Detect Energy Waste to Drive Efficiency and Cost Savings
By understanding what’s happening beyond metered data at a device and process level, hidden energy waste can be identified, driving efficiency improvements that can reduce skyrocketing bills. For example, unnecessary out-of-hours consumption, idling equipment, incorrect operation timetables, or opportunities to improve compressor cycling or production/process line sequencing can be detected. Benchmarking against other comparable sites or areas can also help detect anomalies and drive best practices. IoT energy insights can further inform and influence employee behaviour change to improve energy performance.
2. Improve Operational Efficiency
With on-demand access to real-time equipment and process performance data, new insights into operational improvement opportunities can be gained. Often, the resulting operational cost savings are higher than the energy savings. For instance, energy insights can detect air leaks from compressors and diagnose performance issues with cooling equipment or production lines. The technology can support the verification of manufacturer default settings and equipment controls, while also tracking operational trends from adjusting equipment controls in real-time.
3. Predict Equipment Failure and Trigger Maintenance Protocols
Energy analytics software can detect anomalies and faulty equipment or process vulnerabilities that could affect output or product quality. Smart technology facilitates the transition from scheduled maintenance to predictive maintenance by providing 24/7 alerts about potential issues, preventing them before they become points of failure. This reduces downtime, increases productivity, and extends asset life.
4. Decarbonise Your Business
Improving energy and operational efficiency also delivers carbon savings, helping achieve net zero ambitions cost-effectively. This allows manufacturers to stay ahead of increasing environmental regulation and carbon taxation while meeting the sustainability expectations of customers, employees, investors, and other stakeholders.
5. Make Compliance & Reporting Easy
A data-driven energy monitoring strategy provides a clear view of energy and carbon performance. Accurate data is available at the required level of detail to support increasing regulatory and legislative oversight of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Device-level data also allows quantification of the energy or carbon intensity of production, such as how many kWh or t/CO2-e it takes to produce one widget. Similarly, if upgrading process heat requirements to heat pumps, device-level data can verify the carbon reduction impact of these upgrades.
6. Optimise and Monetise Energy Flexibility
Data gathered from wireless sensors can inform opportunities to use energy flexibly for cost reduction and revenue generation. By shifting loads to avoid peak time power costs, significant savings can be achieved by moving non-essential loads out of peak hours.
By implementing these strategies, manufacturers can significantly enhance their energy and operational efficiency, leading to substantial cost savings and improved sustainability.
How Total Utilities Can Help
Our expert team can help you unlock significant energy savings with a short-term return on investment (ROI). Typically, we can identify up to 25% savings with an ROI of less than 2 years.
We achieve this by conducting a comprehensive site-wide energy audit (Type 1), examining everything from lighting and HVAC systems to chillers, boilers, refrigeration and other energy-intensive systems. Additionally, we install Panoramic Power our non-intrusive energy intelligence system, providing real-time device-level energy data visibility. For more information check out a brief overview of our service here.
Ready to start saving? Contact us today to schedule your energy audit and begin your journey towards greater efficiency and cost savings!
In the past three to five years, legislative changes have prompted many New Zealand businesses to evaluate their contributions towards the country’s net carbon zero targets. Despite their commitment to sustainability and reducing CO2 emissions, many companies find themselves stuck at the implementation stage due to a lack of necessary data.
The Importance of Data in Sustainability
The journey towards sustainability is fundamentally dependent on data. Data is crucial, from setting decarbonisation goals to determining the actions needed to achieve those goals and monitoring progress. Most sustainability projects involve significant investments in onsite energy generation, transitioning to renewable energy sources, diversifying the energy mix, or investing in more efficient machinery.
Granular data collected at the machine, process, and facility levels empowers decision-makers to justify their investments and confidently implement sustainability initiatives.
Establishing Baselines and Monitoring Progress
Once an investment decision is made, organisations need to establish baselines and monitor progress. Highly accurate IoT devices can measure energy use and emissions across critical machinery, creating a baseline for tracking progress and identifying areas for improvement. Monitoring energy consumption, operational efficiency, and emission levels allows organisations to set realistic, data-backed sustainability targets, monitor initiatives over time, and collect the data needed to meet reporting obligations.
Case Study: The Power of Data in Action
A national retail chain, a client of Total Utilities, demonstrates the power of data in action. The Panoramic Power Energy Intelligence solution helped identify out-of-hours energy waste equivalent to 51,000kg of Scope 2 CO2 emissions. By using Panoramic Power sensors to measure the energy consumption of their HVAC system, they identified an opportunity to optimise these assets during non-operational hours, achieving $105,000 per year in total energy cost savings.
Criteria for Effective Data Utilisation
For data to successfully drive sustainability initiatives forward, it must meet the following criteria:
Generate Insights: Organisations striving for net zero need more than just raw data; they need actionable insights. A robust data tool is required to generate these insights, allowing key stakeholders to visualise the full energy picture, identify sources of waste, and determine where interventions will have the most significant economic and environmental impact.
Be Readily Shareable: Companies worldwide often suffer from data silos, where relevant data does not reach those who need it for daily operations. A data tool that facilitates easy sharing across departments and stakeholders empowers both site and management levels to carry out their tasks efficiently and accurately.
Ease Reporting Obligations: Organisations face increasing pressure to collect and maintain accurate emissions and resource consumption data and report on decarbonisation efforts. A data-driven energy monitoring strategy provides a clear view of energy and carbon performance and generates detailed reports required for regulatory and legislative compliance with Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
Harness Energy Intelligence and Boost Your Sustainability Initiatives
When organisations have confidence in their data, they can better manage their energy use. Data will be the cornerstone of successful sustainability journeys going forward. By collecting, analysing, and acting on data-driven insights, manufacturing organisations can bridge the gap between commitments and implementation, achieve net-zero goals, and build a more sustainable future.
How Total Utilities Can Help
Our expert team can help you unlock significant energy savings with a short-term return on investment (ROI). Typically, we can identify up to 25% savings with an ROI of less than 2 years.
We offer the easiest-to-install, and fastest for ROI energy management solution, that scales effortlessly from a few devices to full-site or multi-site operations. Experience actionable insights and real-time analytics that drive efficiency and sustainability. Our solutions work for everyone, helping your organisation kickstart cultural transformation towards a sustainable future.
Our forestry client pursued Toitu Enviromark and ISO 14001 certifications to achieve stringent ESG standards.
Solution:
Total Utilities guided certification journeys for global compliance and enhanced industry reputation.
Outcome:
ESG excellence achieved with outstanding environmental, social, and governance standards.
Toitu Enviromark certification elevated sustainability profile.
Prepared for ISO 14001 accreditation, establishing global forestry leadership.Result:Our partnership led to national forestry leadership, meeting ESG goals and global standards.
Result:
Our partnership led to national forestry leadership, meeting ESG goals and global standards.
In the words of influential French politician and lawyer, Christine Lagarde, who currently holds the position of President of the European Central Bank, it’s high time for businesses to shift their perspective and view sustainability as an investment not a cost:
“Businesses must see sustainability as an investment, not a cost. By adapting and reducing emissions, they can secure long-term success while safeguarding the planet.”
In this era of environmental consciousness and corporate responsibility, let’s delve into 15 key reasons why addressing your carbon footprint isn’t just a good idea – it’s a strategic move that can yield massive benefits:
Cost Savings: By implementing carbon reduction measures, you can significantly reduce energy consumption, leading to lower energy bills and operational costs.
Enhanced Reputation: Demonstrating a steadfast commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility can elevate your brand’s image, attracting eco-conscious customers.
Competitive Advantage: Businesses with smaller carbon footprints can effortlessly stand out in the market, resonating with eco-conscious consumers and distinguishing themselves from competitors.
Regulatory Compliance: Meeting carbon reduction targets ensures compliance with environmental regulations, effectively sidestepping potential fines and legal troubles.
Risk Mitigation: Reducing reliance on carbon-intensive resources and practices shields your business from the volatility of energy prices and supply chain disruptions.
Employee Engagement: Engaging in sustainability efforts fosters higher employee morale and satisfaction by aligning with their values and creating a positive workplace culture.
Innovation and Efficiency: The pursuit of carbon emissions reduction often drives innovation, resulting in streamlined processes and enhanced overall efficiency.
Resource Optimisation: Carbon reduction initiatives often involve optimising resource use, which can reduce waste, boost operational efficiency, and trim costs.
Investor Appeal: Investors increasingly favour environmentally responsible companies, making businesses with robust carbon reduction strategies more appealing for investment.
Long-term Resilience: Proactive measures to combat climate change enhance your business’s long-term resilience, allowing it to adapt to shifting regulatory and market landscapes.
Supply Chain Benefits: Implementing carbon reduction initiatives within your organisation can inspire suppliers to adopt similar practices, thereby promoting sustainability throughout the supply chain.
Stakeholder Trust: Transparent efforts to reduce carbon emissions foster trust among stakeholders, including customers, employees, investors, and local communities.
Customer Loyalty: Customers are more inclined to support businesses that demonstrate a commitment to reducing their carbon footprint, leading to increased customer loyalty.
Economic Growth: Investing in clean energy and sustainable practices can contribute to the growth of renewable energy industries, creating job opportunities and economic growth.
Future Proofing: Taking proactive steps to reduce carbon emissions helps businesses safeguard against evolving regulations and changing customer preferences.
Tailored sustainability solutions for your business
By recognising sustainability as an investment, you not only contribute to a greener planet, but also unlock substantial financial, strategic, and reputational rewards.
At Total Utilities, we’re committed to helping you optimise your business and achieve your sustainability goals. Our sustainable energy services are tailored to your unique needs and grounded in a deep understanding of your business’s nuances.
Our mission is to provide practical sustainability planning that not only makes environmental sense, but also solid financial sense, ensuring your business remains resilient and successful in the future.
Groundbreaking carbon management service coming soon!
And in just a matter of weeks, we’re excited to unveil a groundbreaking carbon management service that has the potential to supercharge your carbon reduction efforts tenfold. Stay tuned for updates or reach out to us for more information.
Analysis of recently released results from the 2022 ‘CFO Sustainability Snapshot Survey,’ confirms that collaborating with sustainability experts and peers is the best way forward for businesses to learn, build sustainability capability and create meaningful impact.
The 2022 CFO Sustainability Snapshot Survey carried out by Deloitte, the Sustainable Business Council, and Toitū Tahua: Centre for Sustainable Finance, found progress towards sustainable action remains largely ‘stagnant.’
Respondents said the wide scope of sustainability issues is difficult to navigate and their organisations struggle to cope with the scale and complexity of the challenge.
Barriers to taking action
Survey results also indicated that barriers to action include a lack of resource or capability, an absence of examples of good practice, and limited legislative requirements to guide them around areas to prioritise.
Total Utilities Director Chris Hargreaves said of the survey, “The results underline what we are seeing on the ground with our clients. Organisations and senior leadership are struggling to find a way forward and often don’t know where to start with measuring and then reducing their carbon footprint.”
“CEOs and organisations are grappling with calculating the cost of taking action versus the cost of doing nothing. However, addressing carbon is becoming a real business problem – not an optional extra and creating a low carbon economy requires considerable planning.
“Business leaders will need to be adaptable and flexible to meet the Government’s emission budgets and reduction plan and they will need to have a plan to mitigate risks associated with it.”
Advantages of decarbonisation stack up
Chris says despite the lack of progress there is still room for optimism, with the survey highlighting key drivers for sustainable action being values-based rather than solely based on compliance or a cost versus profit exercise.
A total of 66% of CFOs identified ‘doing the right thing’ motivates sustainable action in their organisation. ‘Competitive and reputational advantage’ (62%) and ‘investor and shareholder demands’ (37%) rounded up the other top three drivers for action.
“There is a growing realisation that the benefits of addressing carbon now are huge in terms of mitigating against the rising cost of carbon, as well as protecting brand and reputation, with more customers turning to sustainable companies,” said Chris.
Reach out to our experts
Science tells us we need net zero emissions to limit temperature rises to 1.5°C – giving us the best chance of preventing irrevocable changes to the climate. This survey underlines the fact that collaboration with experts and peers is essential to making meaningful progress towards this target.
Total Utilities has worked in the NZ energy market for well over 20 years and specialises in assisting organisations with the decarbonisation process and putting together carbon reduction plans.
Chris explains, “We use science-based methodologies to create your pathway to net zero, whilst ensuring a stakeholder led approach. We can also help reduce your business risk by adhering to today’s environmental regulations and preparing you for future legislation.
“Funding challenges are often a significant roadblock to businesses taking action, but the benefits of future proofing your business and cost saving over time help offset this. We can also help you identify cost saving and revenue opportunities that will have a positive effect on your productivity, profits and performance.
“I’d advise senior leaders and CFOs to reach out and talk to one of our experts today. There’s no need or advantage to doing this alone.”
