In today's energy and environmentally conscious economy it is vital for businesses to have a clear picture of their energy consumption. Reducing wasted energy, reducing energy bills and optimising use of resources are all key to an effective energy and resource management policy. But how can this be achieved without a clear understanding of current energy usage? It’s an established principle that what can't be measured cannot be managed.

Advance can provide a completely independent utility metering or sub-metering solution, delivered through our fully automated meter reading service. The system can collect energy data from a wide variety of sources, and can include gas, water, steam and other resources. Our fully customisable reporting systems provide a timely flow of data, whether in printed or electronic report format, or as raw data for onward processing.

Our services don't stop at just the data collection. Our consultants can provide the information, guidance and technical backup needed to make effective use of the data. And our continuous monitoring service provides the evidence that energy management initiatives are achieving their key aims.

Butlins Case Study

Investing in power saving....Electricity purchase by the very large businesses in this country, since privatisation, involves long term planning, as the electricity companies offer different tariffs for different types of usage. Contracts can very according to volume, times of day etc. and tariff selection depends on one crucial understanding - an understanding of the profile of power user.

The Advance Group were selected to work for Butlins at Bognor, an enormous business in terms of power consumption, with metered supplies to more than 3,000 people, or 40,000 users per month. The Advance Group were charged initially with measuring the company's power use across the 21 individual supplies reaching the Butlins facility. The data was collected by permanently monitoring every one of the company's supply routes so that a truly accurate picture of consumption could be developed. This then enabled a monthly profile of consumption to be prepared across all the major areas of operation. Initially the analysis of data enabled a bill reconciliation, where actual consumption was checked against the tariff charged. At the same time, the company was able to look at the areas of highest consumption, with a view to investing in power management strategies where they could be most effective.

A key example proved to be the circulation pumps within the swimming pools. These had remained in operaion even when the pools were empty, and adjustment so that they now shut down when not in use, saved power costs at an expensive time, delivering a permanent saving far in excess of the costs of the adjustment. A system of identify, then adjust and test was instituted across all the key areas of consumption. As a result, an overall net reduction in power use of 8% was instituted across the entire operation. The process of measurement enables every potential saving strategy to be analysed and tested against normal usage. Where investment is high, costs could be put to the board against the cost payback period, and so analysed as a commercial investment in the business.

On the financial side, total measurement of power consumption against the invoice raised by the power supplier revealed quite large discrepancies in certain periods. If nominal power use was running at about £50,000 per month, another month might come in at £100,000, will no discernable reason why there should be a difference. With actual evidence of consumption to hand, it was able to successfully dispute around £180,000 worth of power charges.

The Advance Group have worked for Butlins for four years in energy monitoring, a process that is carried out remotely. This has enabled the client to continuously review power consumption and invest according to best use of consumption over a 24 hour day. It has also enabled the company to make their most informed bid ever for their three year electricity tariff, using their comprehensive knowledge of their consumption profile.