hexeis

From compliance to competitive edge: The business case for smarter energy management

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 01:24:43 GMT

There’s a well-known saying: “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” It’s a timely reminder, especially in energy management.

Consider a business that installs an energy system just to tick a compliance box—opting for the cheapest setup with minimal integration. Technically, they’re covered. But in doing so, they’ve missed the chance to drive real efficiency, sustainability, and long-term value. Worse, they’ve limited their ability to adapt and innovate.

That’s why Hexeis promotes habits of excellence. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about turning energy management into a strategic advantage. Through smart cost justification, quality data, and continuous improvement, we help clients unlock measurable ROI and future-ready sustainability.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Excellence is a continuous quest

Our company, Hexeis, is a Schneider Electric EcoXpert Master Partner in Power Management. In our experience, excellence goes beyond simply meeting regulatory requirements or adhering to industry standards. It means helping our clients transform energy management from a compliance-driven task into a strategic advantage.

Our approach is rooted in the philosophy of Aristotle—excellence is not an act but a habit. His ethos includes artfulness, scientific thinking, practicality, and wisdom, which informs our methodology from the beginning.

Scientific thinking shapes our approach to decisions, grounded in meaningful insights. Practicality ensures our cost-effective strategies, and wisdom draws on decades of accumulated expertise. We apply engineering precision and professional rigor to help clients meet and exceed their energy goals. This mindset—where excellence is not a destination but a continuous pursuit—also distinguishes value-driven organizations from those that merely tick boxes.

From compliance to opportunity: Changing the mindset

Regulations often drive initial investments in energy management, but many businesses approach them as a sunk cost rather than an opportunity. For instance, Australian – National Construction Code mandates installing energy meters in new commercial buildings. Too often, these meters are chosen for low cost rather than capability, leaving organisations with limited insights and unrealised savings.

At Hexeis, we prefer to consider the wisest investment for your company, optimising costs to deliver the greatest possible return. It’s not about spending for the sake of spending—a better meter , for example, might not only support compliance but also unlock predictive maintenance insights , reduce downtime, and extend equipment lifespan.

This shift—from cost-minimisation to value-maximisation—requires a mindset change . We can help organisations navigate this shift by prioritising actionable investments and avoiding over-engineering. Clients who embrace this mindset achieve more than compliance; they gain a strategic edge in sustainability and operational resilience.

Start small, scale smart

A common misconception is that energy management requires upfront metering of every circuit and system. At Hexeis, we take a more strategic approach. By starting with high-impact areas, businesses can collect meaningful data, identify quick wins, and reinvest intelligently. This is part of what we call taking AIM— Analyse, Improve, Measure —an iterative process that helps clients make informed decisions and maximise value at each step.

Rather than trying to do everything at once, we help clients focus on what matters most from the beginning. Most organisations already know their most significant energy costs. We recommend metering these areas first to keep initial costs low. With early insights, clients can build momentum, justify further investments, and ultimately scale their systems as their internal capability and confidence grow.

This incremental, insight-led approach often delivers 10–30% savings within the first six months. More importantly, it allows clients to expand without being overwhelmed, scaling only when the benefits are clear and the teams are ready.

Metrics that matter for smarter energy management

Effective energy management begins with meaningful metrics. Yet, we find businesses often struggle to identify the correct data to track. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as energy intensity, power quality, and carbon footprint form the foundation of an effective strategy. However, KPIs must also reflect specific organisational goals, reducing downtime, optimising equipment performance, or achieving regulatory alignment to be effective.

For example, CFOs value measurable ROI and cost savings, while sustainability officers focus on metrics demonstrating progress toward carbon reduction targets. Tailoring KPIs to these priorities ensures every stakeholder sees the value of energy management.

Because of this, our team emphasises analytics-driven insights . By leveraging advanced tools, clients uncover hidden inefficiencies and prioritise actions. Every client we work with within months discovers opportunities they didn’t know existed. This often leads to operational improvements far beyond just energy savings. Additionally, benefits such as reduced labour costs for compliance reporting and insurance claim support from electrical events further enhance ROI.

More than compliance: Building a culture of excellence

Habits of excellence extend beyond technical systems to influence organisational culture. Clients who adopt this mindset see ripple effects across their teams. Decision-making becomes data-driven. Efficiency becomes embedded in everyday practices. Over time, this cultural shift fosters innovation and resilience.

One notable example is Cannon Hill Anglican College , where Hexeis implemented a data-driven energy management system . We began by identifying high-impact areas for metering, focusing on key systems that contributed most to energy usage. The college then acted on clear evidence provided by the meter data —no guesswork involved—making targeted improvements such as optimising HVAC systems and adjusting lighting schedules. These efforts resulted in a 30% reduction in energy costs and emissions while creating a model for continuous improvement.

The true cost of inaction

Organisations that view smarter energy management as merely a compliance exercise risk falling behind—financially and environmentally. In contrast, those who embrace excellence see returns far beyond the bottom line, from reduced carbon footprints to enhanced operational resilience.

Hexeis invites organisations to take the first step toward transformative energy management. It starts with a simple question: What opportunities are you leaving on the table by not striving for excellence?

Contact us today for a free consultation on how Hexeis can apply habits of excellence to your energy management strategies. Together, we’ll uncover the opportunities waiting within your energy systems and build a more innovative, more sustainable future.

This article has been adapted from a blog post written in partnership with Schneider Electric and Hexeis Chief Innovation Officer, Conrad van Rooyen, as part of their EcoXpert Partner Program. As an EcoXpert Partner, we are committed to digitising and electrifying our world for a more sustainable future. Click here to read the original article.

Dirty power and how it undermines the success of your decarbonisation efforts.

Wetalla Waste Water Reclamation Facility

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 03:19:04 GMT

Generating peak power demand savings, reducing the load on existing circuits, mitigating equipment risks and gaining transformer and generator capacity for future expansions.

Following power quality and compliance concerns, Toowoomba Regional Council engaged Hexeis to deliver a comprehensive turn-key power control solution that delivers long-term business value. Commencing with a power quality study, the comprehensive scope of engineered works included active harmonic filter system sizing, design and construction of a 300-amp Accusine+ Active Harmonic Filter facility, including building a new switch room and integration into the existing electrical system.

MORE CASE STUDIES

Red Meat Processor

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 00:27:39 GMT

Leveraging digital power data to recover rapidly and reduce operational losses from a supply authority voltage sag event with an operational impact exceeding $1 million.

After partnering with Hexeis to digitise its energy asset management, a leading multi-facility red meat processor faced a supply authority voltage sag event, leading to more than 90 minutes of operational downtime. The result? Operational lost productivity surpassing $1 million.

Thanks to the accessibility of precise data provided by Hexeis installed Power Quality metering, the business was able to isolate the incident and rapidly recover. Using Class A Power Quality meter data, they could also ensure their wholesale electricity supplier contract standards were met.

MORE CASE STUDIES

Managing power quality for business performance: A New Year’s resolution for success

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 05:54:12 GMT

The New Year brings a fresh opportunity for your business to gear up for success. This year, set your sights on a crucial investment – power quality. Ensuring clean, reliable power is one of the smartest resolutions you can make for your energy intensive, sensitive or critical operation in 2025. Here’s why.

Power quality is critical for optimising performance, reducing costs, and safeguarding your investments in equipment and infrastructure. Poor power quality can cause equipment malfunctions, premature failures, and unscheduled downtime. It can even lead to higher energy bills and carbon emissions. The solution? A robust power quality management strategy tailored to your business needs.

LET'S LOOK AT SOME STATS

At Hexeis, we believe there are five key pillars to help your business improve and sustain power quality. Let’s dive in.

1. Monitor Power Quality

They say you can’t manage what you can’t measure—and power quality is no exception. Installing strategic power quality meters across your facility allows you to track metrics such as voltage fluctuations, frequency variations, and harmonic distortions. These devices also log events like voltage sags, swells, and transients, providing actionable data to enhance system performance. With power quality meters you gain a clear view of your electrical system from incomers to site extremities.

2. Correct Power Factor

With insights from power quality monitoring, optimising your power factor becomes straightforward. A poor power factor can lead to utility penalties, wasted energy, and increased operational costs. By implementing solutions like capacitor banks or power factor correction units, you can maximise power usage, reduce transformer losses, and lower CO2 emissions—all while eliminating unnecessary costs.

3. Mitigate Harmonics

Harmonic distortions are sneaky disruptors of efficiency and reliability. Using tools like active filters and voltage regulators, you can reduce harmonics and balance loads. The result? Enhanced equipment efficiency, fewer outages, and longer lifespans for your electrical assets. It’s all about cutting operational costs while boosting performance.

4. Regulate Voltage

Voltage deviations can lead to data loss, equipment failures, and costly downtime. By harnessing Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) technology, your business can actively monitor and correct voltage dips, sags, and swells to maintain stable power flow. This minimises disruptions and keeps your operations running smoothly.

5. Manage and Optimise Energy

Hexeis’ Sustainable Energy Asset Management System is your all-in-one solution for monitoring, analysing, and managing your power network in real time. With intuitive tools, alerts, and network diagrams, the system simplifies energy management and decision-making. Reduce energy costs, improve reliability, and achieve your sustainability goals with ease.

Power Quality: It’s your smart strategic investment for 2025

The start of a new year is the perfect time to assess your power quality strategy. By investing in your sites power quality pillars, you’ll benefit from fewer unplanned outages, improved equipment performance, and lower energy costs. Even better, your business will be kicking its sustainability targets.

For more information about power quality, including how Hexeis can help tailor a solution for your business, contact our team today.

Dirty power and how it undermines the success of your decarbonisation efforts.

Three simple ways to harness technology (and expertise) to reduce carbon, waste, and downtime in your business

Sun, 10 Nov 2024 22:16:07 GMT

Whether you’re leading a business, managing its facilities, or overseeing the accounts, sustainability and carbon reduction are likely part of your corporate and operational goals. Keeping people and processes working without interruption and maximising the continuity of your operations is critical to realising business sustainability. So, how can you leverage technology and experts to achieve the best outcomes? Let’s explore three top tips.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Engage an expert to find the right solution

Power quality is a sustainability issue. So, if a power problem causes equipment to run inefficiently, it wastes energy. If it fails too soon, it must be replaced with something that ultimately requires carbon emissions to manufacture and deliver.

Unfortunately, power quality problems often go unnoticed until they cause severe problems – equipment efficiency, energy costs, reliability, or safety. Uncovering and solving these issues requires diligence, best achieved through a comprehensive, expert assessment. Otherwise, how you choose to mitigate issues when they arise can be ineffective or even create other problems.

For example, an engineer from another vendor told a client that their high bay lights were failing because of power harmonics. The vendor ultimately recommended a $40k harmonic filtering solution. However, when Hexeis investigated the situation using a portable power quality analyser over seven days, it became clear that the lights were actually failing because the lighting control system had an incorrect type of light contactor (switch), causing the damage. Recognising this, we advised the client to pursue a targeted solution. In this case, investing in expensive active harmonic filtering would have been unnecessary and wasteful.

In another example, we worked with a hospital client within a mixed facility site that shares an electrical substation with a nearby train station. The hospital was experiencing power problems and asked us to investigate. We used power quality analytics to determine that the root cause was outside their facility. It showed events that occurred when scheduled network operations were performed. This analysis helped the client negotiate with the network operator to implement mitigation measures.

These examples show the importance of acquiring relevant power data and knowing how to use it before acting on a power quality problem. Not only will it save you time, but money as well.

Continuous monitoring helps ensure continuous performance

Not only can poor power factor waste energy and carbon, but it can also reduce your power system capacity. Properly rated power factor correction equipment can help. But what if that equipment fails or conditions in your facility change over time, such as a facility expansion or a change in production schedules? For sustainable operations and to reduce carbon, it pays to digitalise your power system so you can continuously capture new threats and opportunities.

One client, who owns a ten-pin bowling alley, took over three months to realise their power factor correction system had failed. Because of that, they were paying high power factor penalty charges. They were losing the savings they were expecting to gain from the solution they had implemented. If that had continued for another six months, they would have wasted enough money to extend the return on that capital investment from 18 to 24 months. Continuous power quality monitoring would have identified this problem earlier.

For another client, we send automatically generated reports that convert engineering data into monetary terms directly to their accountant. These reports detail what their power factor costs them each month. Accountants may not be versed in power data, but they are very good at calculating return on investments and identifying when an asset costs them money. If the accountant sees costs related to power factor changing, they will call a technician to either reconfigure or reprogram the correction system as required.

The benefit of digitalisation is that it helps you find issues before they become problems. If you wait for a problem to appear, you may have already suffered losses, damage, or downtime that cost you far more than the investment in a monitoring system.

Grow your team with automated intelligence

Many organisations are losing experienced facility personnel due to retirement, and are finding it challenging to replace them. This makes it hard for facility teams to keep up with growing responsibilities, especially without specialised expertise in disciplines like power quality. Digitising your power system can help.

Not only can you fill skill gaps with automated intelligence, but you also help staff manage competing priorities. We know that keeping on top of power-quality ‘big data’ for an entire facility or campus can be time-consuming. It requires uncovering each issue, developing and implementing a mitigation solution, and validating its operation in the near term and over its lifespan. That’s why Hexeis has automated nearly 95 per cent of the power quality detection process.

We use the advanced capabilities of software like, PowerLogic™ ION meters and EcoStruxure™ Power Monitoring Expert from Schneider Electric to develop custom data processing and analytics apps. Whether used for temporary analysis over a few days or as part of a permanent monitoring program, these custom apps automatically analyse data and intelligently generate reports that flag any power quality issues in simple, understandable terms. As a client, you can receive these reports directly, or the Hexeis Team can help review them.

For more information about power quality mitigation, including how Hexeis can help tailor a solution for your business, contact our team today.

Dirty power and how it undermines the success of your decarbonisation efforts.

The three pillars of energy data: accuracy, availability, and timeliness

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 08:02:02 GMT

Over the past decade, there has been an explosion of data, especially in the commercial building space, which is embracing sustainability and decarbonisation. The challenge asset and facility managers face now, is what to do with these mountains of energy-related information. Raw energy data – data without context – can be confusing. With no perspective, it provides few clues about areas of energy waste or overconsumption.

So, how do you wrap your head around raw energy data and harness its power to maximise the sustainability and carbon footprint of your operations? We explore three important elements of data – accuracy, availability, and timeliness.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Pillar 1: Accuracy of energy data is the starting point

Connected, digitised power meters installed on a building’s key circuits provide large amounts of energy-related data, and their accuracy is vitally important. Any miscalculations during installation can result in potential miscalculations that can persist unnoticed over extended periods.

For example, in providing our customers with digitalisation and electrification solutions, we’ve noticed a 20% error rate in meter installations. Within those, we identified 31 potential mistakes. These can range from basic errors like incorrectly programming current transformer (CT) ratios to more elaborate missteps like installing a CT backward. Besides the obvious safety risks, these incorrect meter installations can lead to data issues that cause measurement errors, incorrect billing and operational inefficiencies. It can even jeopardise your sustainability progress.

The importance of accurate energy data even ventures into legal territory, particularly in the context of NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System). This Australian rating system measures the environmental performance of buildings. NABERS helps building owners and managers identify areas to improve their environmental performance and reduce operating costs. Inaccurate meter data can lead to incorrect ratings and potential legal penalties .

Data precision is so important! That’s why, at Hexeis, we use specialised equipment like a portable primary injection tester to verify the installation, performance, and accuracy of our customer’s electrical assets – including current transformers, instrument transformers, and power meters. These tools are critical in all our installations’ maintenance, testing, and commissioning.

Pillar 2: Seamless availability through digital transformation

As more of our customers’ power networks become digitised and connected, data availability and accessibility are becoming increasingly important. They often need to make quick decisions to remain competitive – and the most basic requirement for boosting competitiveness is guaranteeing access to accurate energy data at any moment. Accessing data from smartphones or computers is not just a convenience; it’s mandatory in today’s business environments .

Because of this, we use EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert as a development platform to present meaningful data and automate reporting and notifications. This approach allows us to tailor dashboards to our client’s needs and streamline the information by organising trends that make it engaging and actionable. Most importantly, it prevents the diminishing returns associated with an overload of visual data. A platform should never make its users feel overwhelmed or disoriented. This is what we call JAD (just another dashboard), and it marks a failure to engage users effectively.

The platform aids in creating a unified, streamlined interface and allows the automation of tasks our clients would traditionally handle themselves. It also gives insight into electrical system health and energy efficiency. This allows customers to make informed decisions about their energy usage. We’ve found that when our customers know their dashboard was explicitly designed for them, they embrace it more quickly to achieve their business success.

Pillar 3: Timeliness for just-in-time, proactive decision-making

So, we have our accurate energy data, and it’s readily accessible. It’s now a matter of getting the right data to the right people at the right time.

Immediate notifications of issues allow for fast, proactive actions. This prevents unnecessary costs and fosters a culture of informed, evidence-based decision-making.

Leveraging a development platform like EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert allows us to streamline task creation and automation . What our clients would otherwise manage individually, they can now handle efficiently, saving resources and simplifying their energy management. They also get real-time performance monitoring and reporting on energy consumption, with immediate alerts that go to the right people when any issues are detected.

As a prime example, one of our university clients faced a regulation J8 challenge and had to install thousands of meters across their campus buildings to measure light and power by tenancy area. Manual readings were impractical, with multiple areas in each building, each with two meters. So, we embraced the obvious choice – digitisation and connectivity – and enhanced the EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert’s graphical user interface with additional modules, enabling timely notifications for the management team when lights were left on. Beyond mere compliance, our approach turned a regulatory hurdle into an opportunity for energy efficiency.

This kind of timely data goes beyond surface-level solutions; it’s about understanding the unique dynamics of each space, each meter, and each stakeholder. In this case, we helped our client meet regulatory demands and elevated their power monitoring capabilities.

For more information about power management, including complete and tailored solutions for systems and metering devices and gateways, contact our team today.

Dirty power and how it undermines the success of your decarbonisation efforts.

The critical role of power digitalisation in innovative building design.

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 05:31:52 GMT

Smart buildings are no longer a niche market. Rising energy costs and a targeted focus on emissions reduction have underscored the importance of resource management. As a result, more than 115 million smart buildings are expected to be operational by 2026 – a 150% increase from 2022. This incredible growth highlights the critical importance of digitalisation in innovative building design.

Utilising embedded smart sensors, digital twins, automated monitoring systems, and advanced data analytics in the building design is key to meeting sustainability goals. These integrations transform energy management , enhance sustainability, and improve operational reliability throughout a building’s lifetime.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Digitisation or digitalisation?

It's important to understand the difference between power digitisation and digitalisation. Power digitisation refers to converting analog data into a digital format, such as moving from paper records to digital ones.

Power digitalisation , however, takes that digitised data to the next level. Procured from embedded IoT (Internet of things) sensors, digital twins, and automated monitoring systems, the data is leveraged to provide:

Optimised energy efficiency: Real-time adjustments based on data analytics reduce waste and lower costs. Automated smart systems regulate lighting, heating, and cooling based on occupancy and usage patterns.

Enhanced sustainability: Advanced monitoring tracks and manages carbon footprints, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Data-driven insights identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements, supporting green building certifications and reducing overall environmental impact.

Operational reliability: Predictive maintenance through continuous monitoring and automated alerts helps prevent failures and reduces downtime. Proactive identification of potential issues in electrical equipment allows for timely interventions before problems escalate.

Advanced data analytics: Provide deeper insights into energy consumption patterns, power quality, and operational performance. Leveraging analytics informs decision-making, optimises resource allocation, and improves building management.

Practical implementation strategies in new smart building designs

Digitalisation also has the benefit of future-proofing smart buildings for technologies we have yet to consider.
Some key strategies ensure a building’s electrical infrastructure is designed for performance, informed decisions, and future technologies from the beginning.

Early integration: It is crucial to incorporate power digitalisation during the initial design phase. Strategically placing smart sensors, IoT devices, and monitoring systems at optimal points within the electrical infrastructure helps avoid the complexities of retrofitting existing buildings.

Proactive planning: A comprehensive digitalisation strategy that includes future-proofing considerations should address emerging technologies, industry standards, and potential scalability requirements. For example, incorporating infrastructure for eMobility charging stations from the outset ensures compliance with evolving building codes. It also supports future electric vehicle adoption.

Digital twins and design tools: These advanced tools streamline the implementation process. Digital twins create a virtual replica of a building’s power system, enabling designers to simulate and optimise performance before construction begins. They also support the concept of a “live digital twin,” where the digital model remains updated with real-time data from the building’s systems. This allows for continuous optimisation and future scalability.

Power digitalisation applied in real-world cases

At Hexeis , we have been at the forefront of numerous successful power digitalisation projects, leveraging our expertise and innovation in real-world applications.

For example, we worked with a hospital in Brisbane that faced significant delays in a car park project due to overestimated power demand – primarily for electric vehicle (EV) chargers. We leveraged digitised data from an existing car park, and with that, the project team corrected the consultants’ overestimations. This adjustment allowed the hospital to use the existing substation capacity. It saved hundreds of thousands of dollars and avoided a six to eight-month delay—making this an informed, cost-effective decision directly resulting from power digitalisation.

Another hospital required a power system upgrade to improve resilience. Due to their fully digitised circuit breakers and comprehensive data collection since 2011, they saved approximately $400,000 (AUD) during the engineering study phase. The existing data allowed for a detailed and accurate redesign, and the project ended up a few million dollars cheaper than initially estimated.

Future trends and technologies for innovative building design

As smart buildings become the norm, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will continue to shape power digitalisation. These technologies will undoubtedly enhance the capabilities of digital twins and automated monitoring systems and enable more accurate predictions and proactive maintenance.

The integration of IoT devices will also expand, allowing for more comprehensive data collection and analysis. New trends include the development of more intelligent energy storage solutions and grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs) that optimise energy use dynamically. Together, these innovations will enhance energy efficiency, sustainability, and operational reliability in building designs in the future.

For more information about energy and automation, and digital solutions for efficiency, sustainability, and resilience, including how Hexeis can help tailor a solution for your business, contact our team today.

At Hexeis, we can help you see the bigger picture and understand power digitalisation's impact on your facilities, operations, and decarbonisation goals, as well as provide practical advice on greenfield or brownfield projects and help consultants write design guides. Our team can also help you justify power quality and sustainability investments to your executives and get the most from your sustainability efforts.

Dirty power and how it undermines the success of your decarbonisation efforts.

Cannon Hill Anglican College

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 05:22:01 GMT

Enhancing classroom comfort and educational performance through improved energy management practices, resulting in reduced energy costs of more than 30 per cent.

With a growing student population and rising energy costs to meet new infrastructure requirements, Cannon Hill Anglican College engaged Hexeis to implement an advanced, automated system that controls air conditioning, without compromising classroom comfort. Underpinned by our operating model, the Hexeis Advantage Formula, our team harnessed unique energy systems to deliver long-term value and sustainability outcomes, so savings could be redirected to where it counts.

MORE CASE STUDIES

Children's Hospital

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 03:25:57 GMT

Harnessing the power of digital energy management data to reduce capital investment waste, saving millions!

Two years after engaging Hexeis to digitise its energy asset management system, a children’s hospital capitalised on its investment by using data to reduce the cost of expensive capital upgrades. The availability of accurate data spanning multiple years meant engineers undertaking electrical infrastructure works could rely on actual peak demands and loadings, rather than modelled estimates. Not only did the hospital see a meaningful return on investment, but funds saved could be redirected to support patient outcomes

MORE CASE STUDIES

James Cook University

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 02:53:15 GMT

Cutting waste through evidence-based power quality solutions backed by accurate and timely data, and expert advice.

Following a major capital investment across their heating and cooling systems, James Cook University engaged Hexeis to protect and optimise their valuable energy assets. Through the installation of power quality monitors, the University was not only able to drive dependable operations but also harness the power of real-time alerts to identify unexplained and persistent equipment outages. Supported by expert advice from our team, the University was able to quickly determine the root cause of the issues and leverage data to execute a timely and low cost-effective solution.

"Hexeis has assisted JCU at being at the very cutting edge of power analysis technology."

- Controls Technician

MORE CASE STUDIES

Dirty power and how it undermines the success of your decarbonisation efforts.

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 09:50:03 GMT

If you’re a financial, energy, or sustainability manager, you may be tasked with helping your organisation meet its sustainability commitments. These decarbonisation goals often prioritise a reduction in the company’s energy-related emissions. While there are many effective ways to achieve this, identifying and addressing power quality problems from the start can significantly improve your projects’ environmental and financial success. So, how do you address the hidden risks of ‘dirty power’ – otherwise known as poor power quality?

Let’s explore some real-world scenarios that demonstrate how poor power quality can impact your operations, and practical solutions you can adopt that can save you money and carbon.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Be in the know by conducting a power quality audit

When we ask customers if they have a power quality problem, the most common answer is no. That’s because the most challenging aspect of power quality is that problems are often hidden and go unnoticed, sometimes for many months or years.

If you own a vehicle but don’t have it regularly serviced, hidden problems can arise and may cause it to run inefficiently, ultimately wasting fuel. It may also become unreliable, and its lifespan may be significantly shortened. So, from a sustainability perspective, an unchecked vehicle could be wasting fuel and carbon. Additionally, if you need to replace the vehicle early in its life, you’re wasting the materials that went into manufacturing it.

You should consider your facility in the same way. While power quality is often associated with equipment reliability, it’s also a big part of maintaining sustainability, energy efficiency, and asset longevity.

Most organisations lack the in-house resources or expertise needed to identify power quality issues. We recommend you seek an expert advisor to help you audit your power quality, identify and address your current issues, and prepare for future projects’ success.

If it’s getting hot in there, it’s time to address the issue

While walking by the electrical switchgear at a customer site, we noticed a lot of heat radiating from the equipment. So much so that it warmed the whole room. Hot equipment is wasted heat, which means the equipment and the HVAC system are wasting energy, carbon, and money trying to keep the room cool.

Improving power quality enhances performance of renewable generation assets

Sometimes, renewable energy systems can cause a power quality issue. One of our university clients has a remote research station on one of the Great Barrier Reef islands. The client hired a contractor to install a solar power system to replace electricity supplied by diesel generators, but they began experiencing motor problems.

Fortunately, the client had already engaged us to set up automated power quality reporting at the site. This system helped identify that the solar power inverters generated a DC power offset that was causing energy loss and overheating of motors. A solution to the problem is being further investigated; however, this highlights the importance of performing PQ analysis during the installation and operation of such projects.

Looking to scale up? Rule out poor power factor to save you money and emissions

If you are operating a sizable industrial site, running many motors can cause low “power factor,” making power factor penalties a significant part of your utility bill.

This type of power quality issue also wastes energy and, in turn, causes additional emissions. By using power factor correction technology, you can optimise your power usage and reduce power losses. This translates into energy savings and reduced CO2 emissions. For example, for a facility with an average total load of 3800 kW, the PowerLogic PFC solution from Schneider Electric can reduce your carbon impact by 3.6 MtCO2 – that’s 150 kg/kVAR – over the lifespan of the equipment.

Low power factor also wastes a portion of the power distribution system capacity. One of our customers makes timber roof trusses and needed another manufacturing machine to take advantage of a building boom. However, the local utility told them this would require an expensive power network upgrade to provide enough capacity.

We helped them identify the need for power factor correction equipment. This installation freed up enough power capacity to accommodate the new machine, allowing them to double their output without waiting or paying for the utility upgrade. They now also save money on their utility bills by avoiding power factor penalties.

For more information about power quality mitigation, including how Hexeis can help tailor a solution for your business, contact our team today.

At Hexeis, we can help you see the bigger picture and understand all the impacts dirty power has on your facilities, operations, and decarbonisation goals, as well as provide practical advice on greenfield or brownfield projects and help consultants write design guides. Our team can also help you justify power quality and sustainability investments to your executives and get the most from your sustainability efforts.

Dirty power and how it undermines the success of your decarbonisation efforts.

hexeis

From compliance to competitive edge: The business case for smarter energy management

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Excellence is a continuous quest

From compliance to opportunity: Changing the mindset

Start small, scale smart

Metrics that matter for smarter energy management

More than compliance: Building a culture of excellence ﻿

The true cost of inaction

Dirty power and how it undermines the success of your decarbonisation efforts.

Wetalla Waste Water Reclamation Facility

Generating peak power demand savings, reducing the load on existing circuits, mitigating equipment risks and gaining transformer and generator capacity for future expansions.

MORE CASE STUDIES

Red Meat Processor

Leveraging digital power data to recover rapidly and reduce operational losses from a supply authority voltage sag event with an operational impact exceeding $1 million.

MORE CASE STUDIES

Managing power quality for business performance: A New Year’s resolution for success

LET'S LOOK AT SOME STATS

1. Monitor Power Quality

2. Correct Power Factor

3. Mitigate Harmonics

4. Regulate Voltage

5. Manage and Optimise Energy

Power Quality: It’s your smart strategic investment for 2025

Dirty power and how it undermines the success of your decarbonisation efforts.

Three simple ways to harness technology (and expertise) to reduce carbon, waste, and downtime in your business

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Engage an expert to find the right solution

Continuous monitoring helps ensure continuous performance

Grow your team with automated intelligence

Dirty power and how it undermines the success of your decarbonisation efforts.

The three pillars of energy data: accuracy, availability, and timeliness

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Pillar 1: Accuracy of energy data is the starting point

Pillar 2: Seamless availability through digital transformation

Pillar 3: Timeliness for just-in-time, proactive decision-making

Dirty power and how it undermines the success of your decarbonisation efforts.

The critical role of power digitalisation in innovative building design.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Practical implementation strategies in new smart building designs

Power digitalisation applied in real-world cases

Future trends and technologies for innovative building design

Dirty power and how it undermines the success of your decarbonisation efforts.

Cannon Hill Anglican College

Enhancing classroom comfort and educational performance through improved energy management practices, resulting in reduced energy costs of more than 30 per cent.

MORE CASE STUDIES

Children's Hospital

Harnessing the power of digital energy management data to reduce capital investment waste, saving millions!

MORE CASE STUDIES

James Cook University

Cutting waste through evidence-based power quality solutions backed by accurate and timely data, and expert advice.

"Hexeis has assisted JCU at being at the very cutting edge of power analysis technology."

- Controls Technician

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Dirty power and how it undermines the success of your decarbonisation efforts.

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Dirty power and how it undermines the success of your decarbonisation efforts.

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Dirty power and how it undermines the success of your decarbonisation efforts.