Energy Management Systems are more than dashboards.

There is much talk about energy management these days and it seems that every man and his dog (or computer) is developing a dashboard with great graphics to show just how the energy is being consumed in a building. Some even have records of how many people take the stairs etc. etc. But is this really energy management? The short answer is no! Don’t get me wrong, dashboards are a great engagement tool and useful for visual representation of energy use and other sustainability measures, which encourages people to be more aware of ways to conserve energy. But beware, this is not 'managing' energy at all, rather it is simply 'monitoring' it.

During a recent client presentation demonstrating the Mojarra Intelligent Energy Management System (Mi-EMS), a senior manager in the organisation asked two very important questions. Firstly, she asked; “You’re not going to just install this and leave us to do the analysis are you?” to which I answered, "No, Mojarra doesn't just install and walk away". Then she followed up with "So how can installing dashboards actually save energy?" I replied quite simply "dashboards can't save you energy, they just monitor it."

Unfortunately many energy management companies do just that - sell you a great looking dashboard that graphically displays data but don’t actually offer any engineering services to analyse or interpret the data.

This is where Mojarra is different; we do both.

Mojarra has a wide range of clients including; manufacturers, building owners, retailers, commercial enterprises or public institutions like councils and universities. And while many of our clients do have employees who have a great understanding of energy data, it is not their core expertise and they don’t have the time or resources to spend truly analysing their energy consumption. Nor in a lot of instances, do our clients have what I call domain expertise which is a deeper understanding of the electrical and mechanical equipment installed and operating in a building or process.

So what is a true energy management service?

The word management is defined as; 'The process of dealing with or controlling things or people'. Thus, managing energy consumption is defined as 'a process of dealing with or controlling how energy is used in a facility'

Mi-EMS is backed up with dedicated engineering done by real people with real world experience in energy analysis, energy management and electrical and mechanical services. The data we collect is only half the story, what we do with it and how we do it is the rest of the story and this is where we are delivering the real value for our customers. Our Mi-EMS is a collaborative management system that works with organisations to take and measure action. It is a true energy management system that engages with the client, identifies savings opportunities and results in positive energy savings. Oh yes, and it also has a nifty dashboard!

Robert Nicholson, National Business Development Manager - Energy Efficiency.

Learn more about Mi-EMS

The Victorian Auditor General’s recently completed review of spiraling energy costs in state health department makes for interesting reading. It highlights the need for a statewide planning approach to energy efficiency across the entire health system. Currently, the Victorian Department of Health (DH) does not have a documented policy or plan and lacks a strategic focus and a coordinated approach.

While there have been improvements in energy efficiency across the health system over the past seven years, the lack of an adequate planning approach has potentially limited the gains that could have been made. Specifically, DH's planning approach limits its ability to demonstrate whether it is appropriately allocating resources to areas of greatest need or highest risk, and whether it is sufficiently prepared for emerging challenges.

Now that the report has been shared it will be interesting to see what are the next steps. Below I have highlighted some key facts from the Victorian Auditor Generals report.

> Victorian public sector facilities account for around 1.5 per cent of Victoria’s total electricity and gas consumption. The sector's largest users are healthcare providers— health services and hospitals—that account for around 26 per cent of its total energy consumption.
> The reason for such high energy use is due to “their continuous operating requirements, use of energy intensive medical equipment, infection and temperature control, and on-site services such as kitchens and laundries.”
> After Victoria’s water entities, public hospitals are the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for around 20 per cent of public sector emissions.
> With large facilities and specific operating requirements, health services spend significant amounts on energy. In 2010–11 alone, Victorian health services’ energy costs totaled nearly $70 million, $51 million of which was spent on electricity.
> Energy costs in the health sector, while a small part of the total health budget, can have an impact on the financial sustainability of the health system. This is particularly so where funding pressures exist. Energy costs are also rising, partly as a result of the carbon pricing mechanism. Without additional funding or further energy efficiency initiatives, health services may need to allocate more of their budget to energy supply costs, or reduce other healthcare services.

To review the entire report please visit http://www.audit.vic.gov.au/publications/20120912-Energy-Health-Sector/2...

Business to save with Mojarra’s energy efficiency expertise

Energy efficiency solutions provider Mojarra Pty Ltd is helping businesses keep costs down by identifying and implementing high potential energy savings opportunities.

Mojarra have joined the Energy Smart Finance program created by FlexiGroup and Low Carbon Australia. Energy Smart Finance provides affordable solutions to businesses wanting to save money through becoming more energy efficient.

Mojarra’s CEO Chris Hay said that by using real time energy monitoring systems and accurate data analysis, Mojarra was able to take the guess work out of energy management for business.
“We’ve seen on average 15 to 18 per cent in energy use savings through using the latest generation in voltage optimisation technology, which basically transforms supplied power to a voltage that is best suited to the site’s electrical equipment,” Mr Hay said.
“That’s just one of the ways we can help businesses bring their electricity costs down.”

Mr Hay drew on a project for Southern Ocean Investments as an example of how Mojarra had helped a commercial building owner reduce its energy consumption in a mixed office/retail environment.
“Installing the latest generation in voltage optimisation technology delivered 14.6 per cent energy savings within the first two months, which was well above the 11 per cent we had predicted,” he said.

Low Carbon Australia CEO Meg McDonald welcomed Mojarra to the program, saying that their expertise in installing voltage optimisation equipment would add further depth to the growing selection of technology and accredited vendors available through Energy Smart Finance.
“Energy Smart Finance is designed to benefit small business operators who want to act now to make savings in the face of rising electricity prices,” she said.
“While the upfront cost may have prevented many from taking action in the past, we've changed all that by offering both solutions and finance to make it easy for businesses to see energy efficiency benefits straight away.”

For more information about Mojarra see www.mojarra.com.au
For more information about Low Carbon Australia see www.lowcarbonaustralia.com.au

05 October 2012

Business to save with Mojarra’s energy efficiency expertise

I am pleased to share with you our latest Press Release.

Energy efficiency solution providers Mojarra Pty Ltd have joined the Energy Smart Finance program to help Australian businesses cut their operating costs.

The program, a partnership between FlexiGroup and Low Carbon Australia, is providing affordable solutions to businesses wanting to save money through becoming more energy efficient.

Low Carbon Australia CEO Meg McDonald welcomed Mojarra to the program, saying that their strong track record delivering energy solutions would add to the growing selection of accredited vendors available through Energy Smart Finance.

“The program is designed to benefit small business operators who recognise the need to act now to make savings in the face of rising electricity prices,” she said. “They realise that installing voltage optimisation equipment can make a substantial difference in reducing overall energy consumption. While traditionally the upfront cost may have prevented many from taking action, we’re offering both solutions and finance.”

Established in 2003, Mojarra has developed ways to match their client’s energy use to the most appropriate technology to realise savings.

Mojarra’s CEO Chris Hay said that often businesses knew they needed to make changes, but weren’t sure how to navigate through available options to achieve the best outcomes. “By using real time energy monitoring systems and accurate data analysis we’re able take the guess work out of energy management,” he said. “Once a business’s usage and needs are identified, solutions can be tailored to suit their requirements.” “Take voltage optimisation for instance. We’ve seen on average 15 to 18 per cent in energy use savings through using the latest generation in voltage optimisation technology, which basically transforms supplied power to a voltage that is best suited to the site’s electrical equipment,” Mr Hay said. “That’s just one of the ways we can help businesses bring their energy costs down.”

For more information about Mojarra see www.mojarra.com.au
For more information about Low Carbon Australia see www.lowcarbonaustralia.com.au

Chris Hay, CEO
13.09.12

Voltage Optimisation Delivers 14.6% energy savings

I am delighted to share with you our latest Case Study. South Ocean Investments Pty Ltd installed a 260KVA PropSava as part of their sustainable energy initiative resulting in 14.6% energy savings. Read more at www.mojarra.com.au/south-ocean-investments

Chris Hay, CEO
05.09.12