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What is an energy monitoring system and how does it work?

Energy monitoring systems provide users with data about their consumption patterns so they can make informed energy management decisions and maximize savings.

These systems use energy monitoring software that gathers energy consumption data, analyzes it and then provides useful information directly to the client’s devices. The information can be displayed in many different ways.

The software uses counters or sub-counters located on-site or in the building to gather data for each commodity (electricity, heat, water, gas) in order to provide a complete picture of energy usage.

An intelligent energy monitoring system can flag any faults in real time, and indicate what energy-saving measures will solve the problem. Moreover, it can provide Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), such as patterns relating to specific areas of energy consumption, intensity of energy usage and other indicators that can be of use in setting energy targets.

What is energy management software?

Energy management software enables an energy monitoring system and optimization by collecting, analyzing and comparing consumption data from any energy vector from customer-specific systems in real time. It also generates reports on how to reduce costs and consumption.

 

The Enel X Distributed Energy Resources Optimization System (DER.OS) is an end-to-end optimization software platform that interfaces with distributed energy resources on the customer’s premises in order to monitor energy usage and production in real time. DER.OS is integrated into all our battery storage solutions, making them unique.

Battery Energy Storage Solutions

Battery Energy Storage Solutions

Integrated solutions to save energy and boost your business

How does DER.OS work?

Flexibility Solutions

Flexibility Solutions

Transforming energy from a cost into an opportunity

DER.OS automatically learns about your company’s operating data and behaviors and cross-references it with external data such as weather forecasts, energy market prices, tariffs, demand prices, and available incentive programs. The system then acts automatically to maximize financial gains and resilience for utilities as well as commercial and industrial (C&I) businesses.

 

The stored energy can be used on demand when it is most advantageous for your company, such as when the grid is under severe stress. In particular, the management software is designed to transfer your facility’s electricity load to the battery storage system at times when the latter will create maximum value for your company.

If you opt for a stand-alone system, DER.OS charges the batteries when energy prices are lowest, then uses that same energy when it is most advantageous to reduce demand on the grid (for instance when energy prices go up, or when demand charge is calculated, or even when your company receives a Demand Response request from the energy aggregator). 

Energy management system: what makes DER.OS different from other software?

DER.OS recalculates the optimal performance for your company every 15 minutes during the day. Generally speaking, the other software systems available on the market can only do so once a day, therefore not guaranteeing optimal performance if there are changes in the weather, prices or other variables.

 

Our energy management software consists of two components - one cloud-based and one site-based - that interface with other software systems and hardware devices in a fully integrated energy management network. This energy management system uses innovative, scalable cloud-based analytical tools to meet the demands of any segment of the energy market.

Distributed Energy Generation

Distributed Energy and Infrastructure

Save money and improve the site’s resiliency by generating sustainable power locally

The DER.OS analytical control tools can also aggregate the management of several different plants simultaneously, thus creating a virtual power station. This solution boosts efficiency and multiplies both savings and revenue streams thanks to the combination of multiple applications such as: Demand Charge Management, Time-of-Use Management and participation in Demand Response programs.

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