New energy management platform launched for schools

Utilitywise, Vodafone and Dell have collaborated to develop a new energy and building management platform to give schools more visibility and control over their energy use.

The platform allows schools to evaluate all their energy outputs, such as lighting, heating, and ventilation, from multiple sites and buildings via a single, integrated hub. This will make it easier to assess where energy is being wasted.

With instant access and full data visibility, it will give schools a much greater level of control over the way they use their utilities. The remotely-managed platform is already being trialled by a number of UK retailers and, in some cases, has cut operational costs by 20% - with an ROI of less than 12 months.

The platform’s software, developed by Utilitywise, can also eliminate the need for expensive data software licences and maintenance agreements that are regularly found with existing building management systems.

Brin Sheridan, COO of Utilitywise, said; “By giving business owners and building managers unprecedented insight into how their businesses are using energy they can now make truly-informed decisions about how to best reduce their utility bills. Our intelligent building controls solution has the potential to produce huge savings for businesses, freeing up revenue to be assigned elsewhere around the business.”

Vodafone director of Internet of Things, Stefano Gastaut, said; “This is a great example of how IoT is being used to disrupt and innovate. IoT is helping to create smarter buildings and to change the level of control and insight companies can get about their energy performance.”

Dell EMC OEM Solutions VP & GM, Dermot O’Connell commented; “We’re delighted to be making this bold move into the building services arena with Vodafone and Utilitywise. With this unique combination we have the ability to reduce energy consumption bills for thousands of UK businesses by combining Dell EMC’s advanced infrastructure solutions – which are ideal for connecting systems like legacy building management commonly referred to as Operations Technology – to state of the art connectivity from Vodafone and advanced data ingestion and analytics from Utilitywise. Partnerships like this open up new opportunities for growth and will shape the way for the Internet of Things.”