Removing Auto-DR Barriers for Small to Mid-Size Commercial Buildings
In the U.S., only 15 percent of commercial buildings employ energy management systems (EMS) to automate and monitor energy usage. A number of barriers have historically prevented EMS adoption within the small to mid-size commercial building market, including installation issues, high upfront costs and lack of technical knowledge for using a new system.
Similar challenges cause this important market to avoid demand response programs, which may be intimidating or confusing. Buildings of this size are usually the largest customer profile for utilities, but their demand response participation rates are often one-third of the average for all business types. The right EMS solutions can overcome traditional barriers, encouraging facilities to opt-in to Auto-DR programs for additional savings. User-friendly, simple devices demystify demand response and give building managers the ability to execute "set it and forget it" participation parameters.
This session will explore the features of an effective EMS for this particular commercial building market (one that is easy to install, simple to use and cost-effective) and how the right systems support participation in Auto-DR programs. Zen Ecosystems CEO James McPhail will also share a customer case study to help illustrate the real-world results of implementing a simple intelligent energy management system.
Speaker
James McPhail
Chief Executive Officer
Zen Ecosystems
James McPhail is a seasoned leader in the energy industry who has developed business strategies for energy management and Internet of Things markets worldwide. As CEO of Zen Ecosystems, James builds the business and channels relationships with commercial customers, utility providers, resellers and technology partners.
Prior to Zen Ecosystems, James was executive vice president of sales at REGEN/Encycle, a company with a customer base that now includes some of the largest B2C commercial businesses. James also led Western U.S. sales at EnerNOC, a recognized leader in demand response (DR), and paired commercial and industrial customers with utility-funded DR programs and data-driven energy management solutions. James personally facilitated over 250 megawatts of DR participation across the United States.
In the U.S., only 15 percent of commercial buildings employ energy management systems (EMS) to automate and monitor energy usage. A number of barriers have historically prevented EMS adoption within the small to mid-size commercial building market, including installation issues, high upfront costs and lack of technical knowledge for using a new system.
Similar challenges cause this important market to avoid demand response programs, which may be intimidating or confusing. Buildings of this size are usually the largest customer profile for utilities, but their demand response participation rates are often one-third of the average for all business types. The right EMS solutions can overcome traditional barriers, encouraging facilities to opt-in to Auto-DR programs for additional savings. User-friendly, simple devices demystify demand response and give building managers the ability to execute "set it and forget it" participation parameters.
This session will explore the features of an effective EMS for this particular commercial building market (one that is easy to install, simple to use and cost-effective) and how the right systems support participation in Auto-DR programs. Zen Ecosystems CEO James McPhail will also share a customer case study to help illustrate the real-world results of implementing a simple intelligent energy management system.
Speaker
Chief Executive Officer
Zen Ecosystems
James McPhail is a seasoned leader in the energy industry who has developed business strategies for energy management and Internet of Things markets worldwide. As CEO of Zen Ecosystems, James builds the business and channels relationships with commercial customers, utility providers, resellers and technology partners.
Prior to Zen Ecosystems, James was executive vice president of sales at REGEN/Encycle, a company with a customer base that now includes some of the largest B2C commercial businesses. James also led Western U.S. sales at EnerNOC, a recognized leader in demand response (DR), and paired commercial and industrial customers with utility-funded DR programs and data-driven energy management solutions. James personally facilitated over 250 megawatts of DR participation across the United States.