ENIT Agent 2.0 – game-changing software moves business energy intelligence to the edge
Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Europe’s economy, representing 99 % of all businesses in the EU. A change in their energy behaviour would bring about a fundamental shift to a low-carbon economy. Due to rising competition, most SMEs are busy trying to stay afloat and keep their customers happy, pushing aside the prospect for embracing energy efficiency measures and renewable energy use. EU funding enabled Fraunhofer spin-off ENIT Energy IT Systems(opens in new window) to develop and market a unique monitoring and control system tailored for SMEs with high power consumption. “Our decentralised energy management system is an all-in-one solution that helps customers gain greater transparency about their electricity, heat, gas and water consumption. It combines a data logger, gateway, database, server and analysis software in a single device – a whole new concept in energy management," notes Patrick Durst, trainee at ENIT Energy.
Taking energy management to the next level
In contrast to state-of-the-art energy management systems, ENIT Agent 2.0(opens in new window) is the first system that offers full interoperability for devices from different manufacturers of smart meters, gateways and accessories and for all types of energy technology equipment (solar panels, inverters and cogeneration plants). Specific communication drivers and standardised interfaces eliminate the need to invest in expanding, replacing or installing systems. “Our product acts as pulse meter. It visualises all energy consumption data for each machine and meter so customers gain a new understanding for the processes and their interdependencies,” says Hendrik Klosterkemper, ENIT Energy’s co-founder. Every user in an SME views their own key performance indicators on a dashboard. Recording energy data every 15 seconds, the system identifies much more potential for reducing energy consumption and costs compared to competing systems that record data every 15 minutes. ENIT Agent 2.0 is also modular and expandable, offering all the features necessary to create not just a data collection system, but also business intelligence, process management or even alarm management. The company also exposes an open application-programming interface for third-party system integration, thereby facilitating the delivery of more functions and faster time to market. Users are given web access points that not only enable them to trace in real time the energy flows, but also reveal where predictive maintenance is required. “Predictive maintenance is at the heart of the Industry 4.0. All innovative features of ENIT Agent 2.0 have transformed it from a simple energy management system to an industrial Internet of Things platform for Industry 4.0 applications,” notes Durst.
SMEs: key drivers of green growth
In March 2020, the Commission presented a new Industrial Strategy(opens in new window) to ensure that European businesses can transition towards climate neutrality and a digital future. Recognising the major role of SMEs to the EU economy, the Commission also proposed a dedicated Strategy for SMEs(opens in new window) to encourage innovation, cut red tape and allow better access to finance. Efficient data analytics such as those provided by ENIT Energy’s solution are a key accelerant of an SME’s digital transformation efforts. Through its innovative energy management solution, ENIT Energy could offer new business models that facilitate the SME energy transition. For example, blockchain business models could serve as a more transparent and decentralised way for making energy-related transactions in the future.
