Apr 10 2016

RUMM – Remote Utility Monitoring & Management

Business could save £1bn through energy behaviour change

British companies could save as much as £1bn on their energy bills by changing their ‘energy behaviours’ rather than rely on technical solutions, according to Npower energy experts as reported in the Telegraph this week. Each company could save between 3-15pc, or an average saving of 9pc, the supplier added.

Npower Business Solutions, a division of the Big Six supplier, said that it has already helped customers to drive bills down by £26m after acquiring an energy management firm which specialises in company habits.

Npower snapped up the RUMM energy consultancy in April last year as part of the company’s plan to grow within the increasingly competitive business supply market.

A spokeswoman for the supplier said Npower is targeting total savings of £1bn for its energy customers by focusing on RUMM’s behavioural approach to energy saving for with their sophisticated energy management software and business energy reduction UK
gasEach company could save between 3-15pc, or an average saving of 9pc, the supplier added.

Npower’s Phil Griffiths said: “It often surprises businesses to find out that non-technical savings are usually greater than technical savings. Through learning about your energy habits, it is easy to make subtle, low-cost and effective changes to help keep down your energy bills. It’s already produced clear and proven benefits for firms, big and small, saving businesses we have worked with over £26m.”

The supplier refers to its behaviour analysts as “carbon psychologists” and says that the experts can design energy saving programmes by addressing employee energy habits to help them adopt more energy efficient ways of working.

A study from trade group Energy UK found that the business supply market has seen a consistent increase in competitiveness in recent years. Currently there are 24 suppliers active in the business market of which over a fifth joined the market last year.

Click here to find out more on Energy Reduction in Manufacturing and how to conduct behaviour change and decide which behaviour project you should choose to action.


Mar 15 2016

Money isn’t all you are saving when you reduce energy consumption

npower Business Solutions

 

 

npower

Things are constantly changing in the energy sector with many new surprises such as the new Demand Turn Up scheme from National Grid. The idea is that during periods of high renewable generation when the Grid finds it has more energy than it can use, energy-intensive consumers would be encouraged to use more. By either turning off onsite generation from, for example, combined heat and power (CHP) plant or by running an energy-intensive process, such as smelting at a foundry or pumping water at a sewage treatment plant.

A pilot scheme which will run over the summer when wind and solar generation can be high and electricity demand is typically low. Participating businesses will be notified in advance of the extra available energy then, if they respond, they can boost productivity for minimal extra cost plus receive a payment for doing so.

Currently, on very windy days, when output from renewable generation is high the National Grid will turn large power stations down. Or wind turbines themselves may need to be turned off, simply because the power they generate cannot be used.

Filling the energy storage gap

As energy storage technologies become viable utilising energy management solutions it’s likely that storing this extra renewable energy until needed becomes a more cost-effective option. I recently blogged about a 640kWh battery storage system being trailed by Western Power Distribution at a solar farm in Somerset.

Although battery storage systems are predicted to become more efficient and the current high costs to fall, they are not yet able to provide a wide-scale commercial solution to balancing supply and demand. So it will be interesting to see how National Grid’s Demand Turn Up scheme fares.

If you are in any Industry sectors such as Energy Reduction in Manufacturing and looking for ways to reduce energy consumption, click here to find out more and get the information required.


Jan 13 2016

Is your company using too much energy?

New to energy savings? Have you often asked yourself how to reduce business energy consumption.

Is your company using too much energy?

Using the latest technology and experience RUMM have successfully implemented their system at many companies throughout the country achieving amazing results that speak for themselves.

How can RUMM help you business?

Let’s start with this – If you are a commercial or industrial consumer with an annual energy spend of more than £250k then we can help you understand the costs, legislation and opportunities for cost and energy reductions open to you.  Moreover we are here to help you deliver real energy and cost reductions and, for a lot of organisations, represent the best energy management option as we bring expertise and people to your site to help.

RUMM offer a FREE initial assessment which will answer many questions.

What does the Free Energy Assessment involve?

Providing us with your annual energy cost and consumption data will give us enough information to estimate:

  1. How much energy you should be able to save yourself
  2. The range of savings you would achieve working with RUMM

If the information that we provide for you is sufficiently interesting then we can visit your organisation to discuss how the RUMM services would best suit your needs.  If you (and RUMM) are convinced that energy saving opportunity exists then the next stage of engagement is the CAP:

CAP – a Comprehensive site Audit and Plan that will provide the following:

  1. A specification and cost of the most appropriate site metering infrastructure that may incorporate existing meters and collection technology; and is capable of providing sufficient information to generate savings, legal compliance and utility bill validation
  2. A prioritised list of potential energy saving projects with typical ROI (Cap Ex costs and associated savings)
  3. Data analysis of your existing ½ hourly utility supply data using RUMM software demonstrating how monitoring analysis can highlight saving opportunity at your site
  4. An indication of what you could save if you undertook to do the energy management yourself
  5. A business case outlining your savings over 5 years in partnership with RUMM including a 2 year cash flow analysis and capital spend requirement
  6. A financial model to fund a 5 year programme if  the business requires external funding

By utiling RUMM’S Automatic Monitoring & Targeting (aM&T) solution which is specific to your site(s) and be installed by our own engineers. We will install new meters and utilise existing metering as appropriate and maintain your aM&T infrastructure to ensure that savings can be measured and monitored.


Nov 15 2015

What is RUMM IBASS 4?

Set the blue print for your company with RUMM leaders in Energy Management Software and services. Is your company doing their part in saving energy by reducing energy consumption and being aware of the impact of energy saving on the environment? Ensure energy reduction in manufacturing is a priority within your company.

You might be wondering what sets RUM apart from their competitors and why you would consider RUMM, I will tell you why its RUMM’s superior energy management software called IBASS 4?

RUMM IBASS 4 enables the user to interrogate the database that hold the ½ hourly consumption profiles for visualisation, analysis, alarming and reporting on all the data stored. It is RUMM’s proprietary energy management software suite and forms the framework upon which RUMM delivers its energy management services.

IBASS is configured as part of the sub-metering installation process to accommodate the sub-metering system profile to complete the aM&T system.

IBASS is a software suite that enables the visualisation of consumption profiles, constructs user defined reports and targets energy consumption using advanced analysis and alarming. It has been developed by Energy Managers for the end-user energy management perspective so that it is intuitive.

It is the primary tool used by RUMM’s energy account managers to offer energy management services for customers. Our customer’s utilise the power and flexibility of it too. It’s a product that has attracted interest from the “big 6” utility suppliers.

RUMM IBASS 5 – Launched into the market in July 2014, IBASS 5 is the smart phone and tablet enabled version of the IBASS product it has many additional features including a new look and feel, with dashboards and KPI reporting which continues to keep our offering ahead of the marketplace.

An example of the new version IBASS 5 screens is given below:

IBASS 5 KPI normalised Energy Management Software (IBASS)

RUMM IBASS 5 will have cutting edge dashboards and KPI reports with data available for mobile devices. It is being built using the latest .NET technologies. The .NET Framework 4.5 and ASP.NET MVC 5. This helps provide a sophisticated, scalable application that is based upon known standards and offers compatibility across a range of devices from desktop web clients to roaming IPADs.

It is a pure SaaS model and provides multi-threaded simultaneous concurrent web browsing from anywhere in world.

IBASS 5 mobile Energy Management Software (IBASS)

Mobile Enabled IBASS 5 Screenshots

Screenshot Example – Menu Options in Tablet Format

IBASS 5 menu Energy Management Software (IBASS)

Screenshot Example – Dashboard/KPI Reports to Mobile Devices

IBASS 5 KPI mobile Energy Management Software (IBASS)


Jul 15 2015

How can we reduce energy consumption?

Have you or any member of staff ever asked any of these questions?

Do we use too much energy?

Are we paying too much for energy?

If you have asked one or more of these questions; then it’s time to take action. You might be wondering where or how to start. Speak to the leading experts in Business energy reduction. 

Pic1 RUMM Establishes Exciting Partnership with Turbine Efficiency for Spanish Opportunity

RUMM Business energy reduction Wales establishes Exciting Partnership with Turbine Efficiency for Spanish Opportunity.

RUMM have begun working with Turbine Efficiency Power Services Limited, who specialise in providing electrical power solutions globally.  The company is progressive and fast growing and has developed a holistic approach to the power needs of its customers.

With Turbine Efficiency looking after the energy supply side for their customers, RUMM will concentrate on reducing the amount of energy consumed by the user.

The first opportunity to develop a Supply & Demand offering with Turbine Efficiency has been at a large chemical manufacturing facility in Barcelona (pictured above).  Following an extensive site study (in the January sun!) a full analysis will be undertaken by both companies to understand how much the customer could benefit from a joint Supply & Demand Side Management approach.

RUMM are very pleased to be linked to such a progressive company as Turbine Efficiency. We are excited by the business prospects and customer benefits that should result from this offering.

Enjoying some winter sun is to be welcomed too!


Jul 13 2015

Reduce energy and save money

RUMM-USA is an innovative company specialising in energy management software and systems which are continually being updated and developed for energy management by energy managers. This is a distinction from the majority of software in this area that have been developed form an IT perspective.  RUMM’S energy managers provide the input into the development based upon what they need to provide the best service for their customers.

If you are a commercial or industrial consumer then RUMM-USA can help you understand the costs, legislation and opportunities for cost and energy reductions open to you. Moreover they will help you deliver real energy and cost reductions and, for a lot of organisations, represent the best energy management option as they bring expertise and people to your site to help.

Their recent participation at the Forge Fair Trade show has been a huge success for RUMM-USA LLC. The forging and heat treatment community has shown a lot of interest in the RUMM process and technology which can assist the sector in reducing energy consumption and costs.

At a time when energy consumption, and its effective and efficient management, is high on everyone’s agenda in the manufacturing industry – RUMM was able to show how its processes can help you to Reduce Energy consumption.

IMG 0131 e1430149827751 Forge Fair Trade show – proves an enormous success


May 19 2015

Easy and affordable way to convert sun into energy

Energy Saving Solution

Make a solar cell in your kitchen

Saving energy is vitally important in these current times. One can explore energy saving systems, however these can be very expensive , we have decided to show you how to make your own solar cell, which is a device for converting energy from the sun into electricity. The high-efficiency solar cells you can buy at Radio Shack and other stores are made from highly processed silicon, and require huge factories, high temperatures, vacuum equipment, and lots of money.

If we are willing to sacrifice efficiency for the ability to make our own solar cells in the kitchen out of materials from the neighborhood hardware store, we can demonstrate a working solar cell in about an hour.

Our solar cell is made from cuprous oxide instead of silicon. Cuprous oxide is one of the first materials known to display the photoelectric effect, in which light causes electricity to flow in a material.

Thinking about how to explain the photoelectric effect is what led Albert Einstein to the Nobel prize for physics, and to the theory of relativity.

Materials you will need

The solar cell is made from these materials:

  1. A sheet of copper flashing from the hardware store. This normally costs about $5.00 per square foot. We will need about half a square foot.
  2. Two alligator clip leads.
  3. A sensitive micro-ammeter that can read currents between 10 and 50 microamperes. Radio Shack sells small LCD multimeters that will do, but I used a small surplus meter with a needle.
  4. An electric stove. My kitchen stove is gas, so I bought a small one-burner electric hotplate for about $25. The little 700 watt burners probably won’t work — mine is 1100 watts, so the burner gets red hot.
  5. A large clear plastic bottle off of which you can cut the top. I used a 2 liter spring water bottle. A large mouth glass jar will also work.
  6. Table salt. We will want a couple tablespoons of salt.
  7. Tap water.
  8. Sand paper or a wire brush on an electric drill.
  9. Sheet metal shears for cutting the copper sheet.

 How to build the solar cell

My burner looks like this:

The first step is to cut a piece of the copper sheeting that is about the size of the burner on the stove. Wash your hands so they don’t have any grease or oil on them. Then wash the copper sheet with soap or cleanser to get any oil or grease off of it. Use the sandpaper or wire brush to thoroughly clean the copper sheeting, so that any sulphide or other light corrosion is removed.

Next, place the cleaned and dried copper sheet on the burner and turn the burner to its highest setting.

As the copper starts to heat up, you will see beautiful oxidation patterns begin to form. Oranges, purples, and reds will cover the copper.

As the copper gets hotter, the colors are replaced with a black coating ofcupric oxide. This is not the oxide we want, but it will flake off later, showing the reds, oranges, pinks, and purples of the cuprous oxide layer underneath.

The last bits of color disappear as the burner starts to glow red.

When the burner is glowing red-hot, the sheet of copper will be coated with a black cupric oxide coat. Let it cook for a half an hour, so the black coating will be thick. This is important, since a thick coating will flake off nicely, while a thin coat will stay stuck to the copper.

After the half hour of cooking, turn off the burner. Leave the hot copper on the burner to cool slowly. If you cool it too quickly, the black oxide will stay stuck to the copper.

As the copper cools, it shrinks. The black cupric oxide also shrinks. But they shrink at different rates, which makes the black cupric oxide flake off.

The little black flakes pop off the copper with enough force to make them fly a few inches. This means a little more cleaning effort around the stove, but it is fun to watch.

When the copper has cooled to room temperature (this takes about 20 minutes), most of the black oxide will be gone. A light scrubbing with your hands under running water will remove most of the small bits. Resist the temptation to remove all of the black spots by hard scrubbing or by flexing the soft copper. This might damage the delicate red cuprous oxide layer we need to make to solar cell work.

The rest of the assembly is very simple and quick.

Cut another sheet of copper about the same size as the first one. Bend both pieces gently, so they will fit into the plastic bottle or jar without touching one another. The cuprous oxide coating that was facing up on the burner is usually the best side to face outwards in the jar, because it has the smoothest, cleanest surface.

Attach the two alligator clip leads, one to the new copper plate, and one to the cuprous oxide coated plate. Connect the lead from the clean copper plate to the positive terminal of the meter. Connect the lead from the cuprous oxide plate to the negative terminal of the meter.

Now mix a couple tablespoons of salt into some hot tap water. Stir the saltwater until all the salt is dissolved. Then carefully pour the saltwater into the jar, being careful not to get the clip leads wet. The saltwater should not completely cover the plates — you should leave about an inch of plate above the water, so you can move the solar cell around without getting the clip leads wet.

The photo above shows the solar cell in my shadow as I took the picture. Notice that the meter is reading about 6 microamps of current.

The solar cell is a battery, even in the dark, and will usually show a few microamps of current.