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Energy Management Systems (EMS)

Energy Management Systems (EMS) are computers that monitor and control electrical and mechanical systems in a facility. By immediately adjusting and optimizing each independent system to avoid even minute overages, efficient use of an EMS can often double or triple the return from an energy retrofit. To achieve the best possible efficiency and overall investment returns from your retrofit project, next>edge commissions - or optimizes and tests - an energy management system, typically achieving heating and cooling cost savings up to 30%.

EMS systems typically consist of a network of computerized controls with an operator interface (usually a personal computer). Today’s EMS systems not only schedule equipment run time, they offer system graphics, trend logging and remote monitoring.

The next>edge approach to adding an EMS system to an existing facility will typically result in energy savings of 10 to 30 percent. Better occupant comfort adds to the value of an investment in EMS, as does the capability of quickly diagnosing and even anticipating problems via software tools. next>edge has installed and commissioned over 65 energy management systems from many different manufacturers, in many different facility types.

Let's look at some examples: Tying energy management systems to Variable Speed Drives (systems that gradually increase or decrease the speed of a fan motor or pump motor based on current system needs) creates an average energy savings of 52%. This contrasts with the typical energy savings produced when a variable speed drive is installed in a local loop setup where the only parameter is maintaining a fixed setpoint. In this case, energy savings may only reach 10%. Another example of the energy savings produced by an energy management system is the operation of a variable speed chiller. By resetting cooling tower water and chilled water temperature, the energy savings for the new chiller can be doubled without compromising occupant comfort.

Additional benefits of EMS systems include:

	Increased energy savings
	Reduced operational costs
	Increased revenue and company/asset value
	Longer equipment life cycles
	Increased occupant comfort and productivity
	Remote access of systems from off-site
	Reduced personnel costs

next>edge specializes in optimizing existing energy management systems through our own Advanced EMS Sequencing Software (AES™), typically making these systems 20% to 80% more efficient in terms of energy savings than off-the-shelf EMS systems.