Onset and NorthWrite Deliver Integrated Energy Monitoring Solution for NYSERDA
BOURNE, Mass. - Onset, a leading supplier of data loggers, announced that the company has partnered with NorthWrite Inc. to deliver an integrated, real-time energy monitoring solution for use in a monitoring-based building commissioning program funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The program, which aims to test NorthWrite’s energy efficiency service for buildings, involves tracking whole-building electric use in 20 commercial buildings throughout New York.
The project combines Onset’s web-based HOBO® U30 energy monitoring systems with NorthWrite’s Monitoring-Based Commissioning (MBCx), a turnkey energy information management service that leverages the company’s Energy Expert energy analysis dashboard software. According to NorthWrite, with MBCx, building energy performance data can quickly and easily be gathered, analyzed and displayed. Data analysts study the collected building performance information and then suggest efficiency improvements.
The project focuses on small and medium-sized commercial buildings, a market segment that often fails to pursue energy efficiency. In fact, a 2010 study by the Center for an Urban Future found that less than 1 percent of small businesses in New York City undergo energy audits, despite the availability of generous government subsidies.
The problem is believed to be one of resources. Unlike large manufacturers, small businesses rarely can employ onsite energy managers or energy contractors to guide them through the process. Further, few cost-effective efficiency technologies exist to serve the small to medium-sized building market. In search of innovations to overcome these barriers, NYSERDA awarded the project to test NorthWrite MBCx in New York City, Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester.
Onset’s HOBO U30 energy monitoring systems are serving as the data gatherers for the project. The 15-channel monitoring devices, which can run off solar or ac power, have been installed in the buildings to collect information on real-time use of electricity and, in some cases, steam and gas.
Jim Erickson, NorthWrite’s implementation manager for the project, said that the Onset monitoring hardware is especially suited for the New York pilot because it is rugged, easy to install, expandable, and can be used remotely via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular connection. “We need to get everything on site and set up quickly without a lot of wrangling or hand holding. We can do that with the HOBO U30,” Erickson said.
The monitoring systems feed the information into the NorthWrite MBCx software, where it is modeled with other important inputs, such as utility charges, weather and building characteristics. An analyst studies the result and provides the building owner or manager with recommendations on low-cost or no-cost energy upgrades that will result in annual savings of 10 to 15 percent. NorthWrite also connects building managers with NYSERDA-approved contractors that can make the building improvements.
“What we are providing with NorthWrite MBCx is a service,” said Terrence McManus, NorthWrite’s chief marketing officer. “Building managers could attempt to use these tools independently, but they do not have the time to learn what all the data means. They are already short-handed and responding to tenants needs. This turn-key service makes it easier for them to move forward with energy efficiency measures that provide a quick payback.”
The solution offers another plus: Tenants get a first-hand view of how well the building performs day-to-day by way of a 32-inch flat screen kiosk monitor that NorthWrite places in a public space. When occupants see the easy-to-read data, they are inspired to be more conservative in their energy use.
Crosby Brownlie Inc.’s 53,000 square-foot facility in Rochester, N.Y., is one of the buildings participating in the pilot program. Peter Brennan, vice president for HVAC, Refrigeration and Energy Services, said he was surprised when NorthWrite MBCx uncovered room for improvement in the already efficient building.
“I thought they would have a hard time finding anything in the building. They pointed out half a dozen or more individual items that we could still address. I was impressed with that. Their program gets down to the pennies of opportunities rather than just the low hanging fruit,” Brennan said.
For more information about NorthWrite, visit www.northwrite.com. For more information about Onset, visit www.onsetcomp.com.
Publication date: 05/02/2011
The project combines Onset’s web-based HOBO® U30 energy monitoring systems with NorthWrite’s Monitoring-Based Commissioning (MBCx), a turnkey energy information management service that leverages the company’s Energy Expert energy analysis dashboard software. According to NorthWrite, with MBCx, building energy performance data can quickly and easily be gathered, analyzed and displayed. Data analysts study the collected building performance information and then suggest efficiency improvements.
The project focuses on small and medium-sized commercial buildings, a market segment that often fails to pursue energy efficiency. In fact, a 2010 study by the Center for an Urban Future found that less than 1 percent of small businesses in New York City undergo energy audits, despite the availability of generous government subsidies.
The problem is believed to be one of resources. Unlike large manufacturers, small businesses rarely can employ onsite energy managers or energy contractors to guide them through the process. Further, few cost-effective efficiency technologies exist to serve the small to medium-sized building market. In search of innovations to overcome these barriers, NYSERDA awarded the project to test NorthWrite MBCx in New York City, Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester.
Onset’s HOBO U30 energy monitoring systems are serving as the data gatherers for the project. The 15-channel monitoring devices, which can run off solar or ac power, have been installed in the buildings to collect information on real-time use of electricity and, in some cases, steam and gas.
Jim Erickson, NorthWrite’s implementation manager for the project, said that the Onset monitoring hardware is especially suited for the New York pilot because it is rugged, easy to install, expandable, and can be used remotely via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular connection. “We need to get everything on site and set up quickly without a lot of wrangling or hand holding. We can do that with the HOBO U30,” Erickson said.
The monitoring systems feed the information into the NorthWrite MBCx software, where it is modeled with other important inputs, such as utility charges, weather and building characteristics. An analyst studies the result and provides the building owner or manager with recommendations on low-cost or no-cost energy upgrades that will result in annual savings of 10 to 15 percent. NorthWrite also connects building managers with NYSERDA-approved contractors that can make the building improvements.
“What we are providing with NorthWrite MBCx is a service,” said Terrence McManus, NorthWrite’s chief marketing officer. “Building managers could attempt to use these tools independently, but they do not have the time to learn what all the data means. They are already short-handed and responding to tenants needs. This turn-key service makes it easier for them to move forward with energy efficiency measures that provide a quick payback.”
The solution offers another plus: Tenants get a first-hand view of how well the building performs day-to-day by way of a 32-inch flat screen kiosk monitor that NorthWrite places in a public space. When occupants see the easy-to-read data, they are inspired to be more conservative in their energy use.
Crosby Brownlie Inc.’s 53,000 square-foot facility in Rochester, N.Y., is one of the buildings participating in the pilot program. Peter Brennan, vice president for HVAC, Refrigeration and Energy Services, said he was surprised when NorthWrite MBCx uncovered room for improvement in the already efficient building.
“I thought they would have a hard time finding anything in the building. They pointed out half a dozen or more individual items that we could still address. I was impressed with that. Their program gets down to the pennies of opportunities rather than just the low hanging fruit,” Brennan said.
For more information about NorthWrite, visit www.northwrite.com. For more information about Onset, visit www.onsetcomp.com.
Publication date: 05/02/2011
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