As technology changes, businesses have more tools at their fingertips to become more efficient and reduce their carbon footprint. It was only a matter of time before facility managers started to use new technology, gaining insight like never before. This is especially valuable for companies that have large fleets or teams of service people out on the road.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a free, web-based application that gives you an inside look at your energy consumption. By inputting some basic data, you can get a real-life view of what you could reduce in the areas of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide with only a little power reduction. The software also works with electric vehicles and considers charging and battery storage.
“Users can quickly and easily screen different scenarios by varying the type of smart grid technology and other variables to best characterize their circumstances and location,” explains Karen Studarus, Power Systems Engineer at the DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), which developed the tool. “The modules we’ve assembled are being used right now to explore the impacts of proposed projects and understand the sometimes-counterintuitive tradeoffs.”
The software will provide metrics on greenhouse gases emitted and benchmark emissions reports. Facility or fleet managers can review the metrics, compare the benchmarks in their area, and plan how to reduce usage.
There is a lot to understand about reducing your carbon footprint. The online DOE software only scratches the surface of how to go about becoming more environmentally friendly. For more information, or to receive a tailored approach to your needs, call MaintenX and speak to our experts.
