Friday, December 6, 2024

How Energy Data Can Power Your Net Zero Journey

In today’s climate, the energy industry is changing so frequently and there is a lot of uncertainty around energy pricing. Which is why it is essential to stay on top of recording your businesses energy data, to ensure you are not paying more than you should on your bills.

Here, SystemsLink explore the best ways to control your business’ energy costs.

What is energy data and why is it important for your business?

Energy data compromises of your business’ gas, power, and water consumption, which once collected, can be used to provide you with better insights into your energy consumption.

According to Forbes poor data quality can be responsible for an average of $15 million per year in losses. 60% of those surveyed didn’t know how much bad data can cost their business, because they didn’t measure it in the first place.

Ensuring that you are providing accurate data to your suppliers will help to define more accurate billing and will enable you to refer and obtain as evidence when needed. Data is so important and when it is recorded incorrectly, businesses can have a hard time correcting it, meaning they overpay on their energy usage.

What an energy management system (EMS) is, and why your businesses need’s one

With businesses facing increased pressure from customers, the supply chain, and investors as well as the government to decarbonise, how can they use their energy data to meet the UK’s 2050 net zero goal? 

An EMS is simply a software system for any energy consumer, used by specialist energy operators to help manage your data and energy usage effectively.

The benefits are extremely useful if you have a business as it helps monitor and analyse your utilities. Monitoring and Targeting allows easy identification of waste or overspend and allows savings to be tracked. An EMS is an essential energy software for your business.

Small positive changes can make a big impact

What we do now will have a huge impact on what happens to planet earth in years to come and what future generations will experience. We all need to work together to reduce our Greenhouse Gas emissions (GHG) for our goal of reaching net zero to be successful.

There are many benefits to managing your energy better. Not only is it better for your business economically, but it also helps your business to meet its voluntary and compulsory commitments such as the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) framework, as well as helping to reduce operational costs, supporting brand image, and increasing workplace happiness.

What needs to happen first? 

Firstly, you need to understand and measure your business’ carbon emissions to create a baseline of data that you can measure any progress from. You’ll then need to set a target for your business to take positive steps towards climate action with Science based targets.

Then it’s time to start planning what your business can do to make changes and reach its Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi’s) to support the UK’s net zero goal.

There are many ways your business can use data to manage its energy usage and get to net zero faster.

  • Log Automatic Meter Readings (AMR) to gather half hourly (HH) data within your company and keep track of any changes throughout each month
  • Install a Smart Meter with your preferred supplier to obtain accurate billing
  • Reduce your carbon footprint where possible. Switch off, lighting, heating, printers, microwaves, and vending machines
  • Analyse your billing so you’re able to identify any spikes in energy usage
  • Reconsider your energy supplier to get the best deal
  • Don’t fill the kettle too full when making your colleagues a brew if it isn’t needed, as this requires extra heat!
  • Install LED lighting in work rooms – LED lights use less energy than incandescent lighting
  • Switch off everything at night before leaving the office
  • Track your data automation to make the most of your data

How SystemsLink can help you better manage your energy to meet net zero?

Implementing small changes can have a massive impact over time and ultimately reducing your businesses energy consumption, has a positive effect on your carbon footprint. Having a substantial energy strategy in place can make the process so much easier.

Get in touch with our experts at sales@systems-link.com or visit our website to see how we can help your business reduce its emissions; http://www.systems-link.com.

Further Articles