An Energy Management System (EMS) is a system designed to manage your energy usage and energy transmission.
You might think of EMS systems as something limited to large commercial facilities. After all, big buildings and complexes have to manage energy across large spaces. However, even small households have some type of energy management system. Light switches, thermostats, and other things are all part of your in-home energy management system. If you have a smart home that lets you centralize and control some of your electrical appliances, then you already have a small EMS.
One of the things that we do is install EMS for solar systems. They help you plan your energy usage for periods of maximum power generation. That can reduce or even eliminate your electric bill, depending on the size of your solar system.
How does an Energy Management System reduce your electricity bill?
First, it monitors your usage. What appliances use the most energy? Is there a time of day when they are more efficient? Knowing this information lets you determine the best schedule for your electricity usage. It can also automatically shut off appliances or lights when they are not being used.
Another important thing about EMS Is it lets you see how your different appliances interact. For example, we all know that ovens create ambient heat in our houses. However, most people do not realize that ovens draw more energy than other appliances except for air conditioners and electric heating systems. Using an oven with an air conditioner not only draws a huge amount of energy, but it also works against each other. You can use your system to determine the best time to use those high-energy draw appliances.
Of course, while an EMS can help you have money in a residential setting, they are even more helpful in a commercial environment. Businesses lose a lot of money due to energy waste. With an EMS you can ensure that lights and other energy-drawing appliances are shut off at the end of the day. You can also regulate temperatures to ensure comfortable working temperatures for your clients, while saving costs on heating and cooling during hours when your building is not occupied.
If you are combining an EMS with your solar system, you can maximize the benefits of your solar cells. For many individuals and companies, just a few changes in how you use energy can help you take advantage of your solar system. You can arrange things to make the most of the energy you produce. You might also arrange things to return energy to the grid during high demand hours, depending on whether that provides you with greater financial benefits.