Efficient and economical use of energy, detailed energy monitoring and effective energy management are the most important factors in ensuring competitiveness and future viability. An energy management system contributes to this: Reducing costs, protecting the environment, living sustainably and economically, improving the corporate image and being able to take advantage of subsidies as well as legal relief. The first step is the right measurement technology hardware and software. Delphin offers this as a complete solution - both permanently installed and in a measuring case for mobile use.
With the measurement technology solution from Delphin, all energy data is available at a glance - on mobile devices or on a PC
In many companies, energy consumption and distribution are still managed in confusing, endless tables, lists or individual documents - there is no complete overview. These rather makeshift solutions only provide a snapshot of the energy situation in the company. These approaches offer no high-resolution online values and therefore no peak consumption. In addition, the visualization of automatically calculated key figures is often not available. This makes it almost impossible to identify potential energy savings. In order to reduce energy costs and at the same time be able to operate more economically, more and more companies are now turning to energy management. This involves a combination of different measures designed to ensure the lowest possible energy consumption for a required output. Energy management relates to existing processes and systems, structural conditions and human behavior. The goal of all energy management measures is clearly defined: to reduce energy consumption and costs.
MERGING THE INDIVIDUAL DATA SOURCES
Energy is needed in all areas of every company. Whether in production, the warehouse or administration, many individual consumers ultimately make up the total energy requirement. Real interface specialists are needed to combine the individual data sources for the purposes of efficient energy management. Regardless of whether companies are still at the very beginning and first need to carry out an inventory, or whether they have already installed systems for energy data acquisition and only need the software for central monitoring and analysis - Delphin [1] supports and accompanies its customers through the necessary steps. With its scalable products, the measurement technology specialist implements the tasks individually and develops an optimal solution for an eligible energy management system. The Delphin solution, which is eligible for BAFA funding in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001, offers a complete package with versatile interfaces as well as visualization and analysis options. This combination of hardware and software ensures seamless interaction from data collection in the field through to reporting and successful auditing of the energy management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001.
SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE IN HARMONY
All of a company's energy and process data can be automatically recorded, managed and centrally provided with the Delphin solution. If measurement hardware or energy meters are already installed, these can be easily integrated into the software and processed. The necessary information and all relevant data are available at all levels of the company (Fig. 1). This saves time, significantly shortens response times and noticeably reduces the administrative workload. The hardware systems required for recording and monitoring the individual consumers are also available in the Delphin portfolio. Flexible analog and digital signal inputs and versatile interfaces, such as OPC UA and Modbus TCP, can be used to combine all energy and process data in one system. The hardware is also eligible for BAFA funding if it contributes to the development of the energy management system.
MOBILE SOLUTION AS THE PERFECT COMPLEMENT
Energy consumers must be identified and their energy efficiency analyzed during both the set-up and operating phases of an energy management system. However, it is often uneconomical to install a permanent energy monitoring system for each of these consumers. Instead, a mobile solution that can easily be taken from consumer to consumer is required as a supplement.
This is where the special energy measurement case from Delphin comes into play. It is used for this purpose:
- Record energy parameters (both analog and digital)
- Analyze and document measurement data
- Uncover potential savings
An MSR device from the Delphin measurement technology hardware series serves as the centerpiece for measurement data acquisition and analysis. All relevant and additional electrical parameters required by DIN EN ISO 50001, such as electrical power, active power, reactive power components and current consumption, can be recorded using an integrated three-phase power meter. The electrical parameters are processed and linked together in the measuring case. The digital input channels record the pulse values of a wide range of energy and quantity meters, such as electricity, gas and water meters. Temperatures, pressures and other measurement data can also be recorded via the analog inputs. All channels can be linked together within the device and processed for further analysis.
The fieldbus interfaces, such as Profibus and Modbus, can also be used to record relevant energy data from a PLC, a machine control system or a higher-level control system. With the case, several three-phase power measuring points can be registered synchronously, eliminating the need for time-consuming multiple measurements at different stations, for example. Difficult-to-access or remote measuring points can be recorded and analyzed wirelessly with WLAN current clamps. This enables holistic monitoring of all relevant energy parameters.
SELF-SUFFICIENT, INDEPENDENT AND SAFE
Each measured value is given a unique and tamper-proof time and date stamp and is securely stored in the internal data memory. Depending on the design, this can store up to 360 million measured values. This enables either long-term autonomous measurements or measurements with high sampling rates, in which many measured values are stored at short intervals (Fig. 3). The data memory is designed as a ring memory and can be configured to suit the measurement task. This makes it easy to meet the verification requirements of DIN EN ISO 50001. As soon as the measuring case is configured, it works completely autonomously. Different configurations can be saved and loaded as required, which saves a lot of time. If the power fails during a measurement task, the logger restarts automatically and continues recording and saving measurement data. The measurement data recorded up to this point is safely stored in the internal memory and no measured values are lost. The configuration of the data logger also remains securely stored in the device.
In combination with the Delphin measurement technology software, it is possible to comprehensively analyze the measurement data recorded by the measuring case: Meter readings and energy flows are clearly displayed in diagram form. Another plus point: the software is so easy to use that even longer periods of time can be analyzed at a glance. Whether connected online to the measuring case or offline on the PC in the office, potential savings and correlations become immediately clear.
Literature
Delphin Technology AG, Bergisch Gladbach: www.delphin.de
Author
Dr. Sven Jodlauk is Product Manager at Delphin Technology AG in Bergisch Gladbach.
Pictures: Delphin
COMPANY
Delphin Technology AG
Lustheide 81 , 51427 Bergisch Gladbach
Phone 02204 / 97685-0
AUTHOR
Sven Jodlauk, Product Manager
Delphin Technology AG, Bergisch Gladbach