The move to green

In a discussion with BM, Millennial Net’s Martin Hanssmann looks at the upsides to slashing carbon emissions for your business.

“With capital being tighter, companies are also looking for pragmatic solutions, measurable results and relatively short payback periods”
-Martin Hanssmann

BM. Going 'green' has been on the agenda for businesses for a while now. However, will the economic crisis hamper these efforts or do you feel this is the ideal opportunity to slash carbon footprints whilst looking to make savings in these lean times?
Martin Hanssmann. Smart energy consumption is an essential part of any green strategy, and energy savings, achieved with a rapid payback, is an essential part of any economic recovery strategy. This economic crisis, as others in the past, is focusing companies on business fundamentals and competitive factors of survival. With capital being tighter, companies are also looking for pragmatic solutions, measurable results and relatively short payback periods. Doing more with less is a 'lean' and 'green' concept. Reducing energy waste is a way to do more with less while slashing carbon footprint.

BM. How can cutting carbon emissions and instigating energy efficiencies within your company deliver a competitive advantage?
MH. Reducing energy waste cuts carbon emissions. Millennial Net provides energy management solutions that monitor and control energy consumption to improve efficiency and reduce waste. The key is to help companies align energy consumption and costs with business priorities. Companies need to better understand how energy consumption relates to their business. Benchmarks from site to site can be used to motive managers and their organisations to improve. This enables continuous improvement programmes to improve energy efficiency. Their ideas supported by information results in changes to operations and more effective investments to upgrade buildings and equipment.

BM. What are the common mistakes that companies could make when deciding to embark on a 'green' drive?
MH. A common mistake companies can make when embarking on a 'green' drive is to go about it 'blindly'. Surprisingly, we find many companies think their buildings are operating efficiently, when in fact energy is consumed by unnecessarily running lights, various equipment, and heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. In many cases energy reductions are estimated and considered at the time of investment, but there is no monitoring to ensure that improvements deliver the expected results or that the results are sustained over time. The reality is that many improvements degrade without oversight. Energy consumption and green initiatives must be managed on a continuous basis as any other asset. Executives understand the importance of visibility and controls to manage financial, supply chain and quality processes. Energy and green initiatives require similar visibility and control.

BM. What technology solutions out there will allow companies to monitor and manage their energy usage? 
MH. An enterprise approach to energy management empowers management to improve. It enables them to establish energy policies, enforce compliance and measure performance. Information technology is a powerful and proven change agent. Advances in internet technologies and wireless communications enable broad and rapid deployment of an enterprise-wide energy management system. Robust wireless sensor network technology, such as Millennial Net's MeshScape, provides a means to implement real-time monitoring and control at the point of energy consumption. Key differentiators of MeshScape systems are responsive bi-directional communications and high performance in commercial and industrial environments.

Millennial Net and partners, such as Switzerland-based LEM, develop MeshScape solutions for the European market for retrofitting buildings in a non-invasive manner and leverage existing building infrastructure. For example, within hours per site, companies can install wireless devices for interval energy metering (electric and fuel consumption) and other devices to monitor and control points of consumption (such as lighting and heating ventilation and air conditioning - HVAC systems). The wireless devices deployed in multiple facilities can capture and communicate this information via the internet for enterprise-wide visibility. Analysis of the data helps companies better understand and manage consumption and implement sustainable green programmes.

These end-to-end solutions are designed for scalability, robustness and low cost of operation. They are easily expanded over time to improve operational efficiency and overcome issues of aging assets. With a typical payback period under two years, this is pragmatic solution for economic and energy challenges, today and tomorrow.

Martin Hanssmann is President and CEO of Millennial Net - a provider of commercial and industrial wireless sensor network solutions. Hanssmann

has over 25 years of automation experience. Previously, he served in a variety of management roles for Brooks Automation and Schlumberger. Hanssmann holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from McMaster University.