Choose what to measure and where
Start by defining the areas and equipment that need analysis. The project can include electricity and other utilities according to the facility's activities. Meter installation should account for existing infrastructure and be specified by professionals responsible for the relevant system.
Organize point identification, collection times and engineering units. It is important to know whether each reading represents a cumulative or instantaneous value. Meter changes and resets should be recorded so they do not create artificial differences in the consumption history used by the team.
Connect energy use to operating activity
Indicators per unit produced require a production reference covering the same period and area as the measurements. Define how stops, adjustments and missing records are handled. Comparisons should account for changes in product, equipment loading and operating availability at the facility.
ABB documentation presents consumption analysis, load profiles and tracking against targets. In the local application, the dashboard should show its calculation criteria and allow users to inspect the sources of values, enabling the team to interpret its indicators correctly.
Assess opportunities using the plant's own data
Analysis can identify periods that deserve investigation, but does not establish guaranteed savings. Examine equipment, schedules and operating conditions before proposing a change. After the intervention, compare equivalent references and verify that process quality and availability have been maintained.
In charcoal production, potential energy uses for gases also require a specific assessment. UFV research on wood drying provides a study reference, not a design for every plant. Projects should consider infrastructure, measurements and requirements of the particular application being evaluated.
What to assess for your project
- Define areas, utilities and measurement points.
- Standardize units, timestamps and meter identification.
- Connect consumption and production in the same context.
- Validate comparisons and results after interventions.
COM3
How COM3 can help
COM3 can support energy monitoring projects by integrating instruments, networks, SCADA and databases. An assessment guides consumption and operational efficiency indicators, with traceable calculations and information that helps the team evaluate opportunities for improvement at its own facility.
Topics in this article
Further reading and references
Technical sources consulted for the fundamentals of this content. Project recommendations are an editorial synthesis by COM3.