Energy Solutions
Enterprise energy management systems and the smart grid network
Beyond the myriad of data collected at the facilities, the utility companies themselve
s are enabling enterprises to link their energy management systems directly to public smart grid networks. Smart grid networks, currently being rolled out in a number of communities, add a communication layer on what was traditionally a one-way power transmission by implementing IP-based smart meters in businesses and homes. These smart grid meters can inform consumers and enterprises of their current usage, rate information and the load on the overall power grid. Enterprises can then enact localized procedures based on these reports, such as dimming overhead lights or slightly raising building temperature in exchange for credits from the utility company. In a virtualized data center, for example, this integration could mean the ability to move virtual machines to a smaller number of physical servers, allowing idle ones to be spun down and powered back up as needed, depending on both the data center utilization and need from the utility.Ultimately, enterprise energy management affords organizations the opportunity to maximize their energy efficiency and leverage many of the other network and management solutions in place to deliver a consistent policy and procedure of energy usage throughout their facilities.
Beyond the myriad of data collected at the facilities, the utility companies themselve
s are enabling enterprises to link their energy management systems directly to public smart grid networks. Smart grid networks, currently being rolled out in a number of communities, add a communication layer on what was traditionally a one-way power transmission by implementing IP-based smart meters in businesses and homes. These smart grid meters can inform consumers and enterprises of their current usage, rate information and the load on the overall power grid. Enterprises can then enact localized procedures based on these reports, such as dimming overhead lights or slightly raising building temperature in exchange for credits from the utility company. In a virtualized data center, for example, this integration could mean the ability to move virtual machines to a smaller number of physical servers, allowing idle ones to be spun down and powered back up as needed, depending on both the data center utilization and need from the utility.Ultimately, enterprise energy management affords organizations the opportunity to maximize their energy efficiency and leverage many of the other network and management solutions in place to deliver a consistent policy and procedure of energy usage throughout their facilities.