Energy consumption remains one of the most significant operational costs and carbon drivers for organisations across the commercial and industrial sectors. Yet, despite growing pressures to reduce emissions and operate more sustainably, many businesses still rely on outdated, retrospective methods to track their energy use. As energy prices fluctuate and net-zero deadlines loom, the role of energy monitoring is being redefined, not as a passive accounting exercise, but as an essential, proactive component of effective energy management.
Historically, energy monitoring was limited to meter readings or monthly utility statements. These offered a general overview but provided little insight into when, where, or why energy was being consumed. The lack of granularity made it nearly impossible to identify specific inefficiencies or verify the impact of energy-saving initiatives. In many cases, action could only be taken after a problem had already become embedded in operational routines.
In contrast, modern energy monitoring solutions allow facilities and energy managers to observe energy usage in real time. With access to live data streams, they can identify inefficiencies as they occur, measure the immediate impact of behavioural or system changes, and build a clearer understanding of how energy is used across different systems and zones. This ability to see the full picture marks a huge shift in how buildings are managed.
The move toward real-time energy monitoring reflects broader shifts in the way organisations approach data. Energy is no longer treated as a static commodity to be purchased and reviewed after the fact. It is increasingly viewed as a dynamic, measurable resource that can be optimised and controlled. This perspective requires tools that go beyond simple consumption readings. It demands systems that can integrate with wider building platforms, support predictive analytics, and respond to changing conditions automatically.
Implementing such systems has traditionally been a complex and costly process, especially in older buildings or across large estates. Retrofitting wired energy meters often involved disruptive installations, long lead times, and significant financial outlay. However, recent advances in wireless sensor technology have removed many of these barriers. Today, sensors can be installed with minimal disruption and no need to shut down equipment. These devices can clamp around existing electrical cables or connect to pulse outputs from existing meters, providing a simple yet powerful way to collect detailed usage data.
Wireless energy monitoring also supports scalability. Where once it might have been feasible to monitor only main incomers, organisations can now affordably track energy use across sub-circuits, departments, or even individual pieces of equipment. This level of granularity is essential for modern energy management. Without it, it is difficult to separate base load from variable load, or to distinguish operational consumption from avoidable waste.
The effectiveness of any energy monitoring solution, however, depends not just on how data is captured, but how it is used. Increasingly, organisations are demanding openness and interoperability in their systems. Energy data locked within proprietary platforms has limited value. By contrast, data that can be easily integrated into existing building management systems or cloud-based analytics platforms opens the door to deeper insight and greater flexibility.
This emphasis on open systems has influenced the direction of technology providers in the sector like Pressac Communications, a UK-based manufacturer of wireless sensor technologies, who offer a notable example. Their energy monitoring devices are designed to publish real-time data using open protocols. This allows organisations to route data directly into the systems they already use, avoiding the need for multiple dashboards or closed ecosystems.
The benefits of this integrated approach are not purely technical. In a typical multi-tenant office building, for example, real-time sub-metering can reveal precisely which areas or systems are contributing to excessive energy use. This not only allows facilities teams to target interventions more effectively, but also provides the evidence required for fair cost allocation and tenant engagement. Similarly, in industrial settings, monitoring specific machinery or production lines can expose abnormal load patterns allowing teams to carry out preventative maintenance before costly breakdowns occur.
Beyond operational efficiency, real-time monitoring plays an increasingly vital role in sustainability strategy. With regulatory schemes such as SECR and ESOS requiring accurate, verifiable data, organisations need systems they can trust. High-resolution data also supports corporate ESG reporting, allowing businesses to demonstrate transparency and track progress toward decarbonisation goals. As digital tools like digital twins and AI-driven analytics gain traction, the demand for quality energy data is only expected to increase.
It is important to remember that energy monitoring is not a one-off project. It is a continuous process, one that must evolve alongside the buildings and systems it supports. As occupancy patterns shift, new technologies are adopted, and climate-related pressures intensify, the energy profile of a facility will inevitably change. Ongoing monitoring ensures that organisations remain aware of these shifts and are able to respond accordingly.
As the built environment confronts the twin challenges of rising energy costs and climate responsibility, smarter energy monitoring is no longer a luxury or a future ambition. It is a critical capability that will shape how buildings are managed, how sustainability is delivered, and how operational resilience is secured in the years ahead.
This article appeared in the September 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.