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Why metering should be at the forefront of an organisation’s Net Zero strategy, not an after-thought

Posted October 20, 2021

 

Metering leads to data about consumption, and an understanding of consumption can lead to reduction, meaning less cost and less emissions.

 

So how does this actually happen:

 

1. Reduction of wastage

That might be through influencing behaviours, structural changes to ways of working by engaging employees and users of energy, or assigning accountability for targets around consumption.

 

2. Supporting investment cases

Whether that’s to insulate a site, install EV charging points, or upgrade heating and lighting, it’s sensible to baseline consumption from the start. Having that data helps build the investment case but can also help target investments towards the areas with the biggest bang.

Ongoing monitoring will show if you’re achieving return on investment, but metering can also have direct impact on whether you achieve objectives. For example: a business didn’t achieve their aim to reduce consumption by 20% across lighting by investing in ‘intelligent lighting’. We know this because their metering had the granularity of data to show that. The business then arranged with the lighting installation partner to reconfigure the settings so that the objectives could be achieved.

 

3. Directly interfacing with building management systems

This may be automated controls, or immediate indicators to allow someone to interact and reduce consumption once the problem has been spotted.

Where do you start?

  • First things first - consolidate your metering contracts. That way you can expect an efficient and reliable installation and management service, and ensure you get accurate data.
  • Understand the health of your metering portfolio. Some of your meters might not be working and your operating service provider should correct that and introduce telecommunications to get the data you require.
  • Surveying your sites and infrastructure can help identify gaps in your knowledge about your consumption. If you don’t have the expertise in your business, you can come to EDF for consultancy.
  • Choose the right level of granularity and data visibility for your goals. It’s important to engage with a partner that can help you decide just how complex a scheme is suitable for your needs, which has to depend on what your energy consumption is.

 

What should I look for when choosing a partner?

  • Safe and reliable expertise. These devices are going to be in your sites for years to come and they need to operate correctly, accurately and safely.
  • Be aware of hidden costs. It’s important to get the best value, but there may be hidden costs such as paying for individual maintenance visits. So to optimise your spend – check the terms of your contract!
  • Make sure you’re getting accurate data in a way you can use.

Want to know more about sub-metering?

To support businesses with their sub-metering needs, we partnered with the industry-leading sustainable business media brand, edie, for a brand-new implementation guide. The free, five-page edie Explains guide breaks down everything you need to know about sub-metering systems and how they can be utilised to support your organisation’s net-zero carbon strategy. 

Simplify and enhance energy monitoring through EDF’s end-to-end Metering Solutions:

EDF’s highly experienced metering team can advise on the right technology for your site, fit and maintain the chosen meters throughout the lifecycle. We can help you optimise your metering strategy, make the most of your data and direct it to where you need it.

Our customer portfolios are diverse, across every corner of the Private and Public sector, and we’re flexible no matter how large or small the project. We partner with our customers to ensure you get the right solution for your business needs – and we’ll support you from start to finish.