Up-to-the-minute energy use now available via the internet
Complete and timely information is critical when you're trying to keep energy costs down. Now, Eugene Water & Electric Board can help your business increase efficiency and lower operating costs with a new energy profiling tool called “PowerLine.”
EWEB’s “Powerline” service uses the Internet to compile energy data for businesses at single or multiple locations within minutes. It allows 24-hour-a-day access to this information through a secure web site using a personal computer with web browser software. With PowerLine, business managers can:
- review the previous day’s energy and demand hour-by-hour.
- pinpoint times when energy usage is at its highest and help determine which equipment is operating during those time periods.
- compare use among facilities.
- measure effectiveness of energy efficiency efforts.
- download data for analysis.
So far, eight EWEB commercial and business customers with a total of about 35 electric meters have signed up for PowerLine. Brad Perkins, Manager and Plant Electrician for Industrial Adhesives in Eugene, believes that PowerLine provides a leg up in manipulating energy data to determine cost savings.
“From what I’ve seen so far, I like what I see,” says Perkins. “I can call up energy information on a daily basis to identify peaks so that we can mitigate costly energy periods.”
“The key advantage is the ability to monitor energy usage,” concurs Tony Williams, maintenance mechanic for the General Services Administration, which oversees operations at the Federal Building in downtown Eugene. “Eventually, I hope to be able monitor steam usage as well.”
PowerLine gives managers the capability they need to make informed decisions:
- Energy use profiles -- Analyze energy consumption patterns down to the quarter-hour.
- Improve operational efficiency -- Pinpoint specific times where higher energy consumption is occurring. Make informed decisions on shifting or staggering equipment operation to reduce demand charges.
- Immediate knowledge of energy use -- No more waiting for utility bills to assess energy management efforts. EWEB’s automatic metering system enables remote access to meter data to get the energy use profiles needed to make informed decisions.
- Customized information -- No more sifting through numerous utility bills to figure out the energy costs of your facility. Let PowerLine manage multi-site meter information for your local stores, offices, warehouses or production facilities.
- Energy cost forecasting and analysis -- Analyze a variety of hypothetical scenarios using actual business consumption data. Evauate applying current load profiles to future time periods, shifting loads to off-peak periods or compare the energy costs to other locations around the nation.
How does PowerLine work?
Actually, it’s all very simple. EWEB technicians install a meter and recorder on existing electric service at no cost. The recorder transmits data back to EWEB for compilation, storage and analysis.
Data transfer to the secure Web site is accomplished after business hours via a shared telephone line from within your business. Data transmission takes about 30 seconds per week. Most installations can utilize an existing analog phone line.
What will PowerLine provide?
A variety of options are available depending on your specific needs. PowerLine also provides charts, graphs and reports to target energy waste and identify energy efficiency opportunities. You will be able to see the savings almost immediately. For more information on EWEB’s PowerLine service, phone Energy Management Services at 484-1125.
How much will it cost?
- 1 meter - $29/month per meter
- 2-4 meters - $26/month per meter
- 5 or more meters - $23/month per meter
The monthly charge includes installation costs for meter and meter recorder.
Call for more information and an online demonstration. |
This article originally appeared in
Efficiency By Design, Spring 2000
