Innovating Sustainability: The Future of Energy Management Systems

24 Jul, 2024

9 min read

Why Are Companies Investing In EMS Solutions?

In the face of rising energy costs globally, progressive sustainability principles and the need to reduce carbon footprints on the planet have made energy management vital for all industries.

According to World Bank reports, global energy costs have shot up by around 75% in the last five years, which has heightened awareness of energy saving among businesses worldwide. It has become a critical concern for all who balance their energy use. No matter their size, every company is going to be impacted.

Organizations with reliable EMS system software can make data-driven energy decisions, self-regulate different energy-saving actions, and optimize their overall energy use. This has further enhanced environmental impact and overall energy resilience.

Here are a few more reasons to get your own EMS software:

Informed Decision-Making

Reliable and high-performing EMS solutions help you with data and insights for saving energy. This software has unique features that help your business make sensible, data-driven decisions for your energy-saving strategy.

Whether it is investment planning or energy procurement, these innovative EMS solutions are capable of assisting business leaders with the visibility and analytics they need to optimize energy use and spending.

Risk Mitigation

EMS solutions help businesses identify and address potential energy-related issues. They have real-time data monitoring functionality along with anomaly detection that can identify and address all issues before they escalate. This can yield large profits by reducing the risk of description and costly system repairs.

Sustainable Environment

Today’s global states are eager to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, with a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This will, in turn, foster extensive opportunities for market prosperity in the future.

Businesses that balance their energy usage through environmentally sustainable EMS software can significantly lower their carbon footprint and environmental impact, supporting broader sustainability goals.

Future-Proofing the Business

The current energy management market is constantly maturing. In the next four years, it is expected to reach a value of 4.6 US Dollars with an annual ground rate of 11.09%. This market rapidly grows in response to the invention of different technologies and tools, making it requisite for businesses to stay ahead of the curve.

Investing in smart software solutions to save energy in this market will be an effective and competitive strategy for future-proofing operations.

On-Premises or Cloud-Based EMS – What to Choose?

When it comes to Energy Management Systems (EMS), businesses have mainly two main choices: on-premises or cloud-based deployment models. Let’s have a quick comparison of the key differences and considerations for each:

On-Premises EMS

An on-premises energy management system has software and hardware that are prepared and managed entirely within the business’s own IT infrastructure.
It may need a large investment to purchase and install servers, storage, networking, etc.
On-premises EMS has ongoing costs for maintenance, upgrades, and IT staff to manage the onsite system.
It gives users more direct control and customization over the EMS configuration and data.
On-premises EMS development requires dedicated IT resources and expertise for proper execution and support.
The on-premises EMS is not much more adaptable, so refining or adding new capabilities might be challenging in the future.

Cloud-based EMS

The software and hosting are provided by a third-party cloud service provider.
With a subscription-based operational expenditure model, it has lower upfront costs than on-premises.
The cloud will be responsible for handling all maintenance, upgrades, and technical administration.
It is easier to scale up or down as needed, with quick deployment of new features.
You will have a lower reliance on in-house IT staff and resources
Expert believe that there might be potential concerns around data security and compliance in a multi-tenant cloud environment
Ongoing monthly/annual subscription fees, which may be higher than on-premises costs long-term

Many organizations opt for cloud-based EMS solutions, as the reduced IT burden, faster time to value, and scalability benefits often outweigh the potential tradeoffs. However, on-premises EMS can still make sense for enterprises with specific needs, strict compliance requirements, or robust in-house energy management capabilities.

Must-Have Features For Energy Management Systems

1. Load Profiling

Energy management software must provide detailed load profiles to help users understand the system’s different energy consumption patterns. This includes tracking energy use over time, circuits, and equipment. The software should also be capable of identifying peak demands, load factors, and anomalies in overall energy usage.

2. Data Visualization

A reliable energy management system must have data visualization capabilities for energy management use cases. It should offer a range of charts, graphs, and dashboards to present energy data intuitively and insightfully for stakeholders. This lets users quickly identify trends, track performance, and uncover optimization opportunities.

3. Benchmarking

EMS solution’s benchmarking features let users compare their energy performance against industry standards, similar facilities, or their own historical data. This provides context and helps set realistic targets for improvement.

4. Instant Notifications

Quick notifications and alerts can enable EMS software users to swiftly determine and react to different issues like equipment failures, anomalous usage, or approaching thresholds. The software should be capable of sending notifications via email, SMS, or in-app alerts for timely actions.

5. Energy Cost Allocation

The cost allocation functionality within your EMS solution allows organizations to accurately attribute energy expenses to specific departments, processes, or cost centers. This further supports better budgeting, accountability, and optimization.

6. Device Connectivity

An EMS solution will have multiple connectivity features to connect and integrate with a wide range of energy-consuming devices, meters, and building management systems. It helps users with a comprehensive view of energy usage across an entire facility or portfolio.

7. AI-Driven Features

Energy management systems today need smart artificial intelligence features to automatically spot and execute energy-saving opportunities, such as adjusting schedules, setpoints, and equipment operations.

Other AI-driven features include smart grids, which are electricity supply networks that utilize digital communications technology to detect and respond to local changes in usage.

Similarly, AI-powered sensors can be integrated into energy management software to detect equipment failures before they happen, reducing energy outages by 30% compared to traditional methods.

Our Proprietary EMS Development Approach

Step 1: Conducting Research and Analysis

The development process at Cubix starts with in-depth research and analysis, which is prime for understanding different requirements and energy management challenges. This includes studying energy consumption patterns, identifying areas for improvement, and evaluating potential cost-saving opportunities for clients.

Step 2: Defining goals and objectives

Clearly defining the goals and objectives of the EMS software is crucial, as it helps experts at Cubix provide you with a complete roadmap for development. This includes setting specific targets, such as reducing energy consumption by a certain percentage or balancing energy usage in certain areas. These well-defined goals and objectives will play a prime role in the software’s success.

Step 3: Designing the software architecture

The next step is to design the architecture of the energy management software. Here, design experts at Cubix will help you determine the requisite features and functionalities, such as real-time monitoring, data analytics, and complete energy reporting. The EMS software must prioritize an enticing UI/UX experience and should be adaptable for future integrations.

Step 4: EMS Development

Once the architecture is clearly defined, the development process begins immediately. The development included coding, testing, and debugging the EMS software to set a seal on its functionality and reliability. It is paramount to work with best practices during its development and consider factors like security, data privacy, and cross-platform compatibility.

Step 5: Integrate Data Sources

Energy management software unconditionally relies on data from various sources, such as smart meters, sensors, and energy monitoring systems. Consolidating data from multiple sources into the software will help users monitor and analyze the data accurately. This may involve preparing distinct data connections, APIs, or import/export functionalities.

Step 6: Implementing analytics and reporting

An EMS solution must provide users with valuable insights that can assist them in making informed energy decisions. The software can be blended with advanced analytics techniques, such as machine learning, to enhance its ability to identify and optimize energy-saving opportunities.

Step 7: Testing and quality assurance

The software needs full testing and quality assurance right before deployment to ensure that the EMS software functions as intended. This includes testing, validating data accuracy, and addressing bugs during testing. The software can be further refined based on user feedback and usability testing for responsiveness and reliability.

Step 8: Deployment and training

Once the software is tested and ready, teams at Cubix help with its deployment for your intended users. For optimal usage, users may need training. Partnering with a reliable software development company like Cubix with a team and resources for training sessions will assist your users in effectively utilizing the software’s features and functionalities.

How’s Cubix Solving Energy Management Challenges of Tomorrow?

The future of energy management software (EMS) appears promising and full of opportunities for individuals and institutional investors. With growing concerns over climate change and the need for sustainable energy solutions, the energy management market is poised for significant growth.

The current global energy management market is valued at around $40.7 billion, which is expected to continue rising in the coming years. Several key trends are anticipated to shape the future of EMS software:

Cloud-Based Solutions

There is a growing shift towards cloud-based energy management software that can be accessed remotely, anywhere, anytime, when required. In the future, users will prefer convenience more than others, while cloud-based solutions ensure that your data is easy to use and all in one place, resulting in less need for on-premises infrastructure.

Cubix believes in the power of the cloud. That’s why our teams are building cloud-based energy management software with more frequent updates, remote monitoring, and centralized data management.

Integration with IoT

Almost every EMS software developed today is integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) for a vast user base. Such software with IoT integrations can attach to a wider range of energy-related devices, sensors, and distributed energy resources.

With these integrations, Cubix’s EMS solutions offer numerous benefits, including easy energy optimization and cost-intelligent energy system management. Furthermore, they can collect data from IoT devices for measurement and analytics, enabling more efficient energy management strategies.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The data shows that AI adoption in the energy sector could result in a 20% increase in energy efficiency by 2035. At Cubix, we integrate innovative Artificial Intelligence and machine learning capabilities into energy management software to enable more advanced analytics, predictive maintenance, load forecasting, and automated decision-making.

Furthermore, Cubix believes in the responsible use of AI to achieve sustainability goals. Therefore, we are leveraging the latest AI models to help companies identify energy optimization opportunities, reduce digital waste, and make this world a better place to live.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity today serves as a frontline line of defense against a large number of data threats or digital breaches. According to statistics, approximately 800,000 people in the USA face ransomware attacks and data breaches every year. This increases organizations’ focus on prioritizing robust data security measures in the future while having their own EMS software.

Cubix ensures enough security measures, ensuring secure data transmission, access controls, and resilience against cyber threats targeting energy systems. Furthermore, Cubix prioritizes compliance with industry standards and continuous monitoring so that our solutions are secure, scalable, and resilient against emerging threats.

Decentralized Energy Trading

Energy management software can leverage the power of blockchain to cater to increasingly decentralized peer-to-peer energy trading demand. The decentralized energy trading platforms are gaining traction every day.

Our decentralized EMS solutions at Cubix allow consumers, prosumers, and distributed energy resources (DERs) to buy, sell, and trade energy directly without relying on a central authority. We recognize that utilizing blockchain within the energy management domain can help create a secure, transparent, and tamper-resistant ledger for energy transactions.

Read our “Blockchain for Energy Transparency” blog to learn more details.

The Cost of Building an EMS Software with Cubix

This table overviews the important cost components involved in building an EMS. The actual costs can vary based on specific project requirements, the length of the development team, and other factors involved in the development process.

Cost Factor	Details	Anticipated Cost
	Simple EMS	$20,000 to $50,000
	Standard EMS	$50,000 to $150,000
	Advanced EMS	$150,000 to $250,000
Development Team	Project Manager	$80 to $150 / hour
	Software Developers	$50 to $150 / hour
	UI/UX Designers	$40 to $120 / hour
	QA Engineers	$30 to $100 / hour
	Data Scientists	$70 to $200 / hour
Tools & Technologies	Backend Development	$20,000 to $80,000
	Frontend Development	$10,000 to $40,000
	API Integration	$5,000 to $20,000
Other Costs	Infrasture (Cloud, Servers)	$10,000 to $50,000 / annually
	Maintenance and support	$10,000 to $40,000/ annually
	Licensing Fees	$5,000 to $20,000 / annually
	Training & Onboarding	$5,000 to $20,000
Total Projected Cost		$50,000 to $250,000

Spearhead Your Energy Sustainability Initiatives with Cubix

Ready to unlock the potential of innovative energy solutions but unsure where to start? Cubix is a preferred choice for global organizations aiming for high-performing Energy Management System (EMS) software solutions.

We house a team of 350+ proficient software developers with profound expertise in developing innovative EMS platforms that meet the requirements and significantly benefit organizations. Here is what makes us stand out:

AI-Driven Solutions
Energy Savings Guarantee
Sustainability Focus
Benchmarking Brilliance
Predictive Prowess
Superior Customer Support

Contact us now to take full control of your energy with our extraordinary energy management software solutions to save energy and money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Energy Management System?

An Energy Management System (EMS) is a comprehensive application that collects, analyzes, and visualizes data from an organization’s entire energy infrastructure. This includes things like electricity meters, HVAC systems, lighting controls, renewable energy sources, and any other energy-consuming or generating equipment to help organizations optimize their energy usage, reduce costs, and improve sustainability.

How many types of energy management system software are there?

Enterprise Energy Management
Energy Information Systems
Utility Bill Management
Sustainability Management Systems
Energy Trading and Risk Management
Facility Maintenance Management

What are the four components of an energy management system?

An energy management system has four main components to optimize energy usage and achieve energy management goals: data collection, data analysis, automation, and optimization.