According to Small Box Energy, the Chameleon energy management solution adapts to meet the specific needs of small box retailers and restaurant operators. Some operators require more data and others use its set-it-and-forget-it control. Energy management solutions can range from metering only to fully integrated platforms controlling HVAC, refrigeration, kitchen equipment, lighting, and temperature monitoring. By optimizing high energy demand equipment and minimizing unnecessary energy use, a Chameleon user can realize energy reductions of 5 to 20 percent, says the company. The system’s remote access, side-by-side location comparison capability, and customized reporting enable organizations operating multiple locations to better understand their energy usage.

Restaurants can measure/record parameters including energy consumption, temperatures, water/gas counters, and digital inputs/outputs, as well as measuring analog currents/voltages. This real-time data can be used either locally or in centralized distributed operation systems. The electric power consumption data provided by Chameleon is monetized and published graphically through a web-based dashboard, providing customers with instant feedback on their current spending. This data helps improve energy management, reduce consumption, and decrease monthly utility bills, notes the company.

“This partnership with Continental Control Systems brings a number of benefits to Chameleon users,” said Robert Gerdes, general manager of Small Box Energy. “WattNode Plus’ comprehensive selection of data points makes it a truly compelling and fully encompassing solution. The Accu-CT current transformer provides an extremely high level of accuracy at an exceptional price point. All of this adds up to support our primary goal — providing energy management at the best possible value for our customers.”

The WattNode Plus is a networked, multifunction ac power meter for use on single- and three-phase services at voltages up to 600 vac and currents to 6,000 A. The meter communicates over a twisted-pair network using Echelon’s LonTalk® protocol. The WattNode Plus provides 27 electric power-related measurements including power (kW), energy consumption (kWh), voltage, current, power factor (PF), frequency, demand, peak demand, and time of peak demand.

With linearity better than 0.5 percent over the range of 1 percent to 120 percent of the rated current, the Accu-CT split-core current transformer complies with the accuracy requirements of ANSI C57.13 class 1.2 and class 0.6 for tenant submetering and billing.

“Chameleon is an innovative solution that brings real energy savings to a market that has largely been overlooked,” said Cynthia A. Boyd, director of sales at Continental Control Systems. “We are thrilled to be working with such a well-respected and experienced group of people at Small Box Energy, and proud that they chose our WattNode Plus and Accu-CT to deliver adaptable, affordable benefits to customers in this market.”

For more information about Small Box Energy, visit www.smallboxenergy.com. For more information about Continental Control Systems, visit www.ccontrolsys.com.

Publication date: 05/21/2012