You’ve got the power

Got all the gear, but no idea? The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) recommends businesses put together an energy management plan, to take advantage of new transparency over energy prices and fancy smart gadgets.

“First, understand your energy use,” says EECA's Gary Walker.

“How much are you using, and where and when do you use it? Use the tools provided by your energy supplier.”

Switch to a smart meter, which can give detailed information about usage.

And ask your retailer to send you reports daily or give you online access to real-time information. Most of the new breed of retailers can offer that service.

Once you have gathered information you can make a plan.

It might be as simple as remembering to switch the lights off when you leave the office – or you could install sensors or software to do this for you. Use smart technology if you can.

One option that may get more traction in the future is smart plugs – intermediary devices which comes between an electric gadget (anything from the office dishwasher to your cellphone charger) and your electricity supply. Smart plugs are normally used so users can control their devices remotely – letting you turn off the lights at work from the car when you forgot at the end of the day.

But Walker says a logical extension (if you were nerdy and power conscious) would be to set up your smart plugs using an algorithim relating to when electricity is cheapest.

That would mean that gadgets that need charging (mobile phones, laptops etc) or aren’t time-sensitive (dishwasher, washing machine) could be set off automatically when the power price drops below a certain level.

Whatever the plan, make it visible and educate your organisation – empower them to take part.

Step two, after you’ve tackled the lowhanging fruit of energy savings, is to look for any opportunities to optimise energy use, Walker says.

“Analyse your processes; do two similar actions or sites use different amounts of energy? Find out why, and combat that. It’s an ongoing process – make sure you have regular review periods where you can check what you’ve achieved and set new targets.”