Reduce energy & help the planet

12. April 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Energy Management Systems, Energy Saving Solutions · Tags: , ,

Business could save £1bn through energy behaviour change

British companies could save as much as £1bn on their energy bills by changing their ‘energy behaviours’ rather than rely on technical solutions, according to Npower energy experts as reported in the Telegraph this week. Each company could save between 3-15pc, or an average saving of 9pc, the supplier added.

Npower Business Solutions, a division of the Big Six supplier, said that it has already helped customers to drive bills down by £26m after acquiring an energy management firm which specialises in company habits.

Npower snapped up the RUMM energy consultancy in April last year as part of the company’s plan to grow within the increasingly competitive business supply market.

A spokeswoman for the supplier said Npower is targeting total savings of £1bn for its energy customers by focusing on RUMM’s behavioural approach to energy saving for with their sophisticated energy management software and business energy reduction UK
gasEach company could save between 3-15pc, or an average saving of 9pc, the supplier added.

Npower’s Phil Griffiths said: “It often surprises businesses to find out that non-technical savings are usually greater than technical savings. Through learning about your energy habits, it is easy to make subtle, low-cost and effective changes to help keep down your energy bills. It’s already produced clear and proven benefits for firms, big and small, saving businesses we have worked with over £26m.”

The supplier refers to its behaviour analysts as “carbon psychologists” and says that the experts can design energy saving programmes by addressing employee energy habits to help them adopt more energy efficient ways of working.

A study from trade group Energy UK found that the business supply market has seen a consistent increase in competitiveness in recent years. Currently there are 24 suppliers active in the business market of which over a fifth joined the market last year.

Click here to find out more on Energy Reduction in Manufacturing and how to conduct behaviour change and decide which behaviour project you should choose to action.

npower Business Solutions

13. March 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Energy Management Systems, Energy Saving Solutions · Tags: , ,

 

npower

Things are constantly changing in the energy sector with many new surprises such as the new Demand Turn Up scheme from National Grid. The idea is that during periods of high renewable generation when the Grid finds it has more energy than it can use, energy-intensive consumers would be encouraged to use more. By either turning off onsite generation from, for example, combined heat and power (CHP) plant or by running an energy-intensive process, such as smelting at a foundry or pumping water at a sewage treatment plant.

A pilot scheme which will run over the summer when wind and solar generation can be high and electricity demand is typically low. Participating businesses will be notified in advance of the extra available energy then, if they respond, they can boost productivity for minimal extra cost plus receive a payment for doing so.

Currently, on very windy days, when output from renewable generation is high the National Grid will turn large power stations down. Or wind turbines themselves may need to be turned off, simply because the power they generate cannot be used.

Filling the energy storage gap

As energy storage technologies become viable utilising energy management solutions it’s likely that storing this extra renewable energy until needed becomes a more cost-effective option. I recently blogged about a 640kWh battery storage system being trailed by Western Power Distribution at a solar farm in Somerset.

Although battery storage systems are predicted to become more efficient and the current high costs to fall, they are not yet able to provide a wide-scale commercial solution to balancing supply and demand. So it will be interesting to see how National Grid’s Demand Turn Up scheme fares.

If you are in any Industry sectors such as Energy Reduction in Manufacturing and looking for ways to reduce energy consumption, click here to find out more and get the information required.

Play your part in reducing energy

09. February 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Energy Management Systems, Energy Saving Solutions · Tags: , ,

 

There are numerous actions a business can take to reduce energy costs and Carbon Reduction Wales. Energy management Services plays a key role but it’s also important not to overlook the other end of the process – the steps you take before that precious energy even reaches you; that is, the deal you sign up to and the way you manage energy purchasing.

To do this thoroughly and professionally requires a fully integrated energy strategy that includes the energy purchasing cycle particularly Energy Reduction in Manufacturing.

         

There are numerous variables, enormous volatility in prices and an endless array of contract options. But while this may be daunting, getting it right can deliver major savings and significant competitive advantages.

The three aspects of buying gas and electricity that make them different from most other products or services you purchase are the timing of the purchase, your company’s appetite for risk and the skills and knowledge needed to get it right.

Timing
Timing is crucial because market prices fluctuate quickly and massively. Some changes are foreseeable, such as seasonal demand, while others, such as unrest in the Middle East, can sometimes be totally unforeseen and could send energy prices soaring in hours.

Consequently, you must clearly understand markets and the forces driving them and constantly monitor them to both take advantage of opportunities as they arise and avoid being caught flat-footed.

Risk
Different businesses have different appetites for risk and this has a profound influence on energy purchasing. Most contracts are either “fixed term” or “flexible”, the latter giving a degree of control over prices and potentially make savings – but at greater risk.

To find a contract with the right level of risk for your business you need to know the options available.

Skills and knowledge
Finally, if you are responsible for energy procurement you must be familiar with the myriad of different opportunities provided by energy suppliers and negotiate with them to get the best deals.

In all these things, familiarity, experience and industry knowledge are crucial. Energy purchasing has become an increasingly specialist full-time role and an industry of experts has grown up to operate between energy suppliers and business users. Companies like UES Energy constantly monitor market fluctuations and the full spectrum of suppliers’ contracts to help clients find the best options.

RUMM offer a Comprehensive site Audit and Plan

21. January 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Energy Management Systems, Energy Saving Solutions · Tags: , ,

New to energy savings? Have you often asked yourself how to reduce business energy consumption.

Is your company using too much energy? RUMM can help you by utilising their Energy Management Services.

Using the latest technology and experience RUMM have successfully implemented their system at many companies throughout the country achieving amazing results that speak for themselves.

How can RUMM help you business?

Let’s start with this – If you are a commercial or industrial consumer with an annual energy spend of more than £250k then we can help you understand the costs, legislation and opportunities for cost and energy reductions open to you.  Moreover we are here to help you deliver real energy and cost reductions and, for a lot of organisations, represent the best energy management option as we bring expertise and people to your site to help.

RUMM offer a FREE initial assessment which will answer many questions.

What does the Free Energy Assessment involve?

Providing us with your annual energy cost and consumption data will give us enough information to estimate:

  1. How much energy you should be able to save yourself
  2. The range of savings you would achieve working with RUMM

If the information that we provide for you is sufficiently interesting then we can visit your organisation to discuss how the RUMM services would best suit your needs.  If you (and RUMM) are convinced that energy saving opportunity exists then the next stage of engagement is the CAP:

CAP – a Comprehensive site Audit and Plan that will provide the following:

  1. A specification and cost of the most appropriate site metering infrastructure that may incorporate existing meters and collection technology; and is capable of providing sufficient information to generate savings, legal compliance and utility bill validation
  2. A prioritised list of potential energy saving projects with typical ROI (Cap Ex costs and associated savings)
  3. Data analysis of your existing ½ hourly utility supply data using RUMM software demonstrating how monitoring analysis can highlight saving opportunity at your site
  4. An indication of what you could save if you undertook to do the energy management yourself
  5. A business case outlining your savings over 5 years in partnership with RUMM including a 2 year cash flow analysis and capital spend requirement
  6. A financial model to fund a 5 year programme if  the business requires external funding

Automatic Monitoring & Targeting

03. December 2015 · Write a comment · Categories: Energy Management Systems, Energy Saving Solutions · Tags: , ,

RUMM renowned for their innovative energy management services using Automatic Monitoring & Targeting to reduce business energy consumption.

Read a case study by RUMM on one of their clients –  RPC Containers who had a 14% reduction in Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) in the first year.

The Client

The RPC Group is Europe’s leading manufacturer of rigid plastic packaging. With just under 50 autonomous sites in 12 countries, the company employs in excess of 6,500 people.

The Brief

RUMM was asked to investigate energy usage at RPC’s Llantrisant plant and provide solutions and suggestions for reducing the annual energy bill.

The Method

The installation at RPC was carried out in two stages.

Following the completion of the aM&T system, where 17 meters were installed across the site, a benchmarking exercise then took place in order to identify where energy was being used and equally where there was opportunity for savings.
RUMM and RPC then engaged in an energy management partnership to achieve savings. This included regular weekly meetings to discuss options that could save the company money.

The main areas targeted were chippers, high and low pressure compressors, dryers, leak detection, lighting and chillers. Site analysis was carried out based upon production output, and thus specific energy consumption (SEC) was analysed and this was benchmarked to fully understand energy consumption characteristics

The Results

As a result of the measures put in place; energy consumption in the first 5 months was reduced with specific energy consumption reducing by 14%. This equated to a £120k saving in the first year alone.

Why it Worked

The key for the success was the commitment from RPC to control costs and the close working Partnership with RUMM. The general manager was committed to the project and encouraged the whole company to make it a success.

“RUMM pushed us, the staff responded and with a target of a 17% reduction in 2 years, we achieved more than 10% in one year alone. The actions ranged from monitoring and targeting specific areas, to simply installing time switches on lighting – but the savings were there.On behalf of RPC Llantrisant, I have no hesitation in recommending RUMM to reduce your energy consumption.”

Manufacturing Manager, RPC Containers

RUMM energy saving technology

13. November 2015 · Write a comment · Categories: Energy Management Systems, Energy Saving Solutions · Tags: , ,

Set the blue print for your company with RUMM leaders in Energy Management Software and services. Is your company doing their part in saving energy by reducing energy consumption and being aware of the impact of energy saving on the environment? Ensure energy reduction in manufacturing is a priority within your company.

You might be wondering what sets RUM apart from their competitors and why you would consider RUMM, I will tell you why its RUMM’s superior energy management software called IBASS 4?

RUMM IBASS 4 enables the user to interrogate the database that hold the ½ hourly consumption profiles for visualisation, analysis, alarming and reporting on all the data stored. It is RUMM’s proprietary energy management software suite and forms the framework upon which RUMM delivers its energy management services.

IBASS is configured as part of the sub-metering installation process to accommodate the sub-metering system profile to complete the aM&T system.

IBASS is a software suite that enables the visualisation of consumption profiles, constructs user defined reports and targets energy consumption using advanced analysis and alarming. It has been developed by Energy Managers for the end-user energy management perspective so that it is intuitive.

It is the primary tool used by RUMM’s energy account managers to offer energy management services for customers. Our customer’s utilise the power and flexibility of it too. It’s a product that has attracted interest from the “big 6” utility suppliers.

RUMM IBASS 5 – Launched into the market in July 2014, IBASS 5 is the smart phone and tablet enabled version of the IBASS product it has many additional features including a new look and feel, with dashboards and KPI reporting which continues to keep our offering ahead of the marketplace.

An example of the new version IBASS 5 screens is given below:

IBASS 5 KPI normalised Energy Management Software (IBASS)

RUMM IBASS 5 will have cutting edge dashboards and KPI reports with data available for mobile devices. It is being built using the latest .NET technologies. The .NET Framework 4.5 and ASP.NET MVC 5. This helps provide a sophisticated, scalable application that is based upon known standards and offers compatibility across a range of devices from desktop web clients to roaming IPADs.

It is a pure SaaS model and provides multi-threaded simultaneous concurrent web browsing from anywhere in world.

IBASS 5 mobile Energy Management Software (IBASS)

Mobile Enabled IBASS 5 Screenshots

Screenshot Example – Menu Options in Tablet Format

IBASS 5 menu Energy Management Software (IBASS)

Screenshot Example – Dashboard/KPI Reports to Mobile Devices

IBASS 5 KPI mobile Energy Management Software (IBASS)

RUMM-USA is a specialist energy management company

15. August 2015 · Write a comment · Categories: Energy Management Systems, Energy Saving Solutions · Tags: , , ,

RUMM USA HOME

Take control of your business Energy Management with so many options available and so much information available, how can you get started Reducing Energy Consumption?

First Things First:  Understand Your Energy Consumption.  The first step to understanding your path to reduced energy consumption is understanding how much energy you use from each energy source and the biggest users of energy at your facility.  Consider heating, cooling, and ventilation as well as compressed air and industrial equipment.  Once you have identified your largest consumers of energy you will have a good idea of where your biggest opportunities to Reduce Energy Consumption are.

rumm usa new offices 300x191 RUMM USA New Office Move RUMM-USA NEW OFFICESrumm usa new offices2 300x193 RUMM USA New Office Move

Plan to review and reduce energy consumption.  Included in your plan should be an evaluation of the material condition of equipment and effectiveness of control systems.  Everything from a properly functioning and programmed thermostat in the office to properly maintained industrial equipment can impact your ability to reduce energy consumption.  Your plan should include regular review of your largest energy consumers.

Do:  Based on the information you have gathered, implement efficiency improvements and corrective action, starting with the best conservation measures first (low or no cost, biggest improvements).  Don’t forget the no cost conservation measures:  things like proper shut-down procedures for off-hours and re-programming thermostats can have a significant impact.  Low cost improvements include bringing preventive maintenance schedules up to date and minor repairs such as fixing compressed air leaks.

Check the Results:  Periodically check to confirm conservation measures are being followed and maintained.  A sub-metering system that helps you monitor energy consumption can measure to confirm improvements and identify when consumption patterns change unexpectedly.  Manufacturing facilities should track Specific Energy Consumption (energy consumed per unit of production) to verify conservation measures (Scatter Plots or Control Charts for Specific Energy Consumption can be very helpful).

Act:  Adjust the plan, adjust as necessary to achieve verified results.  Observed success becomes the new ‘Normal’, then start the continuous cycle again:  Plan – Do – Check – Act. RUMM-USA will help you reduce your energy consumption with our Energy Management Software.

It is easy to get started, the next time you pay your energy bill, take a walk around your facility and consider where all that energy is being used.  Start asking the rest of your team where they think the energy is being used and start putting together a plan for energy conservation.  The more people on your team that are talking about and thinking about reducing energy consumption, the less energy you will use.

Remote Utility Monitoring & Management

06. August 2015 · Write a comment · Categories: Energy Management Systems, Energy Saving Solutions · Tags: , ,

Don’t leave your energy saving measures half finished

AD 1311 small 300x199 Don’t leave your energy saving measures half finished

By Andrew Diplock, Managing Director, UES Energy

There are numerous actions that can be taken in the quest for Business energy reduction reducing costs and lower carbon emissions. Energy management plays a key role but it’s also important not to overlook the other end of the process – the steps you take before that precious energy even reaches you; that is, the deal you sign up to and the way you manage energy purchasing.

To do this thoroughly and professionally requires a fully integrated energy strategy that includes the energy purchasing cycle.

Unfortunately, this is often overlooked – sometimes because such measures as incorporating energy management products are more tangible, but often because buying energy cost-effectively is complicated.

There are numerous variables, enormous volatility in prices and an endless array of contract options. But while this may be daunting, getting it right can deliver major savings and significant competitive advantages.

The three aspects of buying gas and electricity that make them different from most other products or services you purchase are the timing of the purchase, your company’s appetite for risk and the skills and knowledge needed to get it right.

Timing
Timing is crucial because market prices fluctuate quickly and massively. Some changes are foreseeable, such as seasonal demand, while others, such as unrest in the Middle East, can sometimes be totally unforeseen and could send energy prices soaring in hours.

Consequently, you must clearly understand markets and the forces driving them and constantly monitor them to both take advantage of opportunities as they arise and avoid being caught flat-footed.

Risk
Different businesses have different appetites for risk and this has a profound influence on energy purchasing. Most contracts are either “fixed term” or “flexible”, the latter giving a degree of control over prices and potentially make savings – but at greater risk.

To find a contract with the right level of risk for your business you need to know the options available for Business energy reduction UK.

Skills and knowledge
Finally, if you are responsible for energy procurement you must be familiar with the myriad of different opportunities provided by energy suppliers and negotiate with them to get the best deals.

In all these things, familiarity, experience and industry knowledge are crucial. Energy purchasing has become an increasingly specialist full-time role and an industry of experts has grown up to operate between energy suppliers and business users. Companies like UES Energy constantly monitor market fluctuations and the full spectrum of suppliers’ contracts to help clients find the best options.

Premium airline seating manufacturer Contour Aerospace (now part of Zodiac Aerospace Group), were one company who saw the value in working with energy professionals and following great results from RUMM on their energy management, turned to UES Energy for advice for their energy purchasing.

Finance Director Alison Baker said: “(UES Energy) approach to energy procurement focuses on avoiding unnecessary cost and their advice on the timing of contract placement is backed up with detailed market intelligence. Their quality of service is reassuring and a stark difference to our previous energy broker.”

For more information on how professional energy consultants can help you purchase and manage your energy efficiently and effectively, click here Energy Reduction in Manufacturing.

RUMM-USA energy management solutions

16. July 2015 · Write a comment · Categories: Energy Management Systems, Energy Saving Solutions · Tags: , , ,

RUMM-USA is an innovative company specialising in energy management software and systems which are continually being updated and developed for energy management by energy managers. This is a distinction from the majority of software in this area that have been developed form an IT perspective.  RUMM’S energy managers provide the input into the development based upon what they need to provide the best service for their customers.

If you are a commercial or industrial consumer then RUMM-USA can help you understand the costs, legislation and opportunities for cost and energy reductions open to you. Moreover they will help you deliver real energy and cost reductions and, for a lot of organisations, represent the best energy management option as they bring expertise and people to your site to help.

Their recent participation at the Forge Fair Trade show has been a huge success for RUMM-USA LLC. The forging and heat treatment community has shown a lot of interest in the RUMM process and technology which can assist the sector in reducing energy consumption and costs.

At a time when energy consumption, and its effective and efficient management, is high on everyone’s agenda in the manufacturing industry – RUMM was able to show how its processes can help you to Reduce Energy consumption.

IMG 0131 e1430149827751 Forge Fair Trade show – proves an enormous success

RUMM – Remote Utility Monitoring & Management

07. July 2015 · Write a comment · Categories: Energy Management Systems, Energy Saving Solutions · Tags: , ,

Have you or any member of staff ever asked any of these questions?

Do we use too much energy?

Are we paying too much for energy?

How can we reduce energy consumption?

If you have asked one or more of these questions; then it’s time to take action. You might be wondering where or how to start. Speak to the leading experts in Business energy reduction. 

Pic1 RUMM Establishes Exciting Partnership with Turbine Efficiency for Spanish Opportunity

RUMM Business energy reduction Wales establishes Exciting Partnership with Turbine Efficiency for Spanish Opportunity.

RUMM have begun working with Turbine Efficiency Power Services Limited, who specialise in providing electrical power solutions globally.  The company is progressive and fast growing and has developed a holistic approach to the power needs of its customers.

With Turbine Efficiency looking after the energy supply side for their customers, RUMM will concentrate on reducing the amount of energy consumed by the user.

The first opportunity to develop a Supply & Demand offering with Turbine Efficiency has been at a large chemical manufacturing facility in Barcelona (pictured above).  Following an extensive site study (in the January sun!) a full analysis will be undertaken by both companies to understand how much the customer could benefit from a joint Supply & Demand Side Management approach.

RUMM are very pleased to be linked to such a progressive company as Turbine Efficiency. We are excited by the business prospects and customer benefits that should result from this offering.

Enjoying some winter sun is to be welcomed too!

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