The installation of remote access and monitoring of a site-based building energy management system (BEMS) allowed for planned preventative maintenance (PPM) savings to be achieved through fewer physical callouts.
Service engineers were then able to access the BEMS through a remote access router over a secure internet connection. As a result, remote monitoring and access realised monetary and environmental savings.
Remote access and monitoring project background
The remote access and monitoring element formed part of a wider HVAC upgrade project in a grocery retail shop. It involved the installation of:
- heat recovery system;
- boilers;
- air conditioning units;
- gas detection;
- air handling units;
- water services;
- radiators;
- smoke extract fans.
Remote access and monitoring energy saving project
Remote access and monitoring provided an additional energy and environmental saving to this HVAC upgrade in terms of PPM costs. Service engineers rectified issues remotely in most cases, saving on the environmental impact of physical travel to site.
The environmentally sustainable element of the installation centred around the heat recovery system. The system took the waste heat from refrigeration cabinets in the food hall and used the heat’s energy to heat the hot water requirements for the store.
Remote access router
A remote access router called an eWON facilitated direct access to the BEMS via a cellular connection to a remote monitoring computer.
eWON benefits
The benefits of the eWON were threefold:
1. Quicker response times
An early diagnosis check could be performed by viewing the BEMS when not physically present at the site.
2. Save travel time and costs
Eliminate – in most cases – the need for travel time to site to examine the BEMS, availing of reduced callout rates. Savings were recognised in CO2 emissions, fuel, parking and toll charges in the use of the vehicles.
3. Security
A private IP address was used so there was no interference with local firewall security.
Remote access and monitoring training and collaboration
Training took place with service engineers on use of the remote monitoring system’s hardware and software. This ensured the spread of operational knowledge throughout the company, so all service engineers could respond remotely to callout issues.
Preceding this, training was undertaken with the European suppliers of the refrigeration cabinets – Basetec – to efficiently setup the heat recovery system.
While the whole upgrade project was a collaborative effort – between consulting engineer, customer and installer – close collaboration was needed for the heat recovery system.
Results
The overall HVAC upgrade resulted in the following savings, through operation of remote monitoring and the heat recovery system:
- Post warranty period PPM savings on physical callouts
- Energy saving of € 13,445 per annum
- Energy saving of over 24 tons of CO2 per annum – equivalent to removing 10 cars from the roads each year
- Quick project payback of 1.22 years (or 15 months)
Outcome
An outcome resulting from the environmental savings achieved on the heat recovery system, equated to the removal of emissions of 10 cars from the road per year.
Thermodial’s approach
At Thermodial we believe in the efficient operation of systems and the investigation of opportunities to achieve energy savings – eliminating unnecessary waste.
Our energy monitoring bureau monitors customers’ HVAC and water systems and provides energy expertise in identifying saving initiatives.
Explore our full energy management and BEMS and controls maintenance services.