Energy Industry Thought-Leaders Help UH Students Launch Energy-Savings Pilot Across Three Campuses
Pilot Projections Estimate Plug-Load Energy Savings As High As 50% on Managed Devices
HONOLULU – May 8, 2015– The University of Hawai‘i (UH) and Ibis Networks, a national energy efficiency company based in Hawaii, have launched a pilot project with the potential to save three UH campuses a combined $40,402 per year in energy savings. These energy savings are from the pilot alone. A broader implementation could yield higher savings.
Ibis Networks helps businesses, schools, and other commercial building tenants control and reduce their plug-load electricity usage with their energy management technology and software. Plug-load is the energy consumed by an electric device plugged into a wall socket.
The project is part of Ibis Networks’ participation in the Energy Excelerator, a program for energy-focused companies that provides funding and partnerships for demonstration projects in Hawaii and the Asia Pacific. Hawaii Energy, the ratepayer-funded energy conservation and efficiency program for Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu, co-funded the project through its inaugural Energy Efficiency Auction.
From February to May 2015, Ibis Networks worked with UH students, faculty and staff on three campuses (UH Mānoa, Windward Community College and UH Hilo) to install its innovative energy management system known as ‘InteliNetwork.’ The company then installed 1,232 ‘InteliSockets’, which are plugged into existing electrical wall outlets with the ability to transmit energy usage data every 15 seconds for any electric device plugged into it. The InteliSockets monitored the energy usage of more than 1,500 devices that ranged from computers, monitors, printers, power strips, copiers, mini fridges and televisions.
Ibis Networks monitored energy usage of all three campuses for periods of 2 to 5 week to establish baseline energy profiles. The profiles were used to make recommendations to maximize energy savings that included the following: 1) Scheduling periods with the InteliNetwork platform to turn devices off when not in use; 2) Replacing inefficient devices with modern energy-efficient devices (when the energy savings can pay for the device in less than 24 months) and 3) Modifying equipment and/or user behavior by better managing device usage during core business hours.
If the recommendations are followed, plug-load energy consumption across three campuses may be reduced by as much as 50 percent, which is the equivalent to 192,483 kilowatt hours (kWh) or $40,402 in energy costs per year. The following is a breakdown by campus:
- University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa installed 471 InteliSockets for a potential plug-load energy savings of 65,628 kWh or $11,813 annually based on $0.18/kWh.
- University of Hawai‘i at Hilo installed 461 InteliSockets for a potential plug-load energy savings of 95,925 kWh or $23,022 annually based on $0.24/kWh.
- Windward Community College installed 300 InteliSockets for a potential plug-load energy savings of 30,930 kWh or $5,567 annually based on $0.18/kWh.
The overall project cost was $142,612 in which Hawaii Energy provided $110,000 (77 percent) through its Energy Efficiency Auction. The remaining costs were funded by UH. The energy savings is enough to pay for all three projects in an average of 3.52 years.
“The first step for any institution working to control its energy costs is to obtain detailed data on their actual energy usage,” said Michael Pfeffer, CEO of Ibis Networks. “The InteliNetwork Platform enables large institutions to securely measure and control their Plug Load energy use, whether they have 100 devices or 100,000 spread across multiple campuses. Ibis is proud to work with our partners to help UH understand the potential for significant Plug Load energy savings and we look forward to helping the University achieve its energy savings goals."
The project aligns directly with the University’s sustainability goals. “The University of Hawai‘i is excited about this project helping our campuses incubate innovation, cultivate collaborations that engage our students with the local energy sector to develop our workforce, and advance the University’s and State’s energy efficiency and sustainability goals” stated David Lassner, President of the UH System.
Students have played a significant role in the deployment of this new technology, using the campus as a living laboratory to create practical learning opportunities from real-life situations. “It’s exciting that my research project, which started as an energy waste audit, may help UH and the state become more energy efficient,” said Windward CC pre-engineering student Madori Rumpungworn.
Ibis Networks is a spin off of Oceanit, a Hawaii-based research and development firm. The technology was developed and lab-tested at Oceanit before it spun off and was selected by the Energy Excelerator. The company gained customer traction through the Energy Excelerator’s Go-to-market track before developing this customer project and being awarded $1M through the Energy Excelerator’s Demonstration track.
“When selecting companies, we look for their ability to solve energy challenges we face here in Hawaii. We also assess their commercial potential and ability to scale to markets beyond Hawaii,” said Dawn Lippert, Director of the Energy Excelerator. “Ibis is already working with national partners to scale their model to hotels, campuses, and military bases across the U.S.”
Each year the Energy Excelerator selects a cohort 12-15 of the most innovative companies that can help solve Hawaii’s energy challenges together. They provide funding, up to $1M for demonstration projects, and help companies find the right customers.
“We’re excited to see Ibis Networks’ pilot project come to fruition and thankful for the University of Hawai‘i’s drive and commitment to reduce energy usage,” explained Larry Newman, Director of Business Operations, Hawaii Energy. “It’s an exciting project because UH serves as a model organization interested in lowering its plug-load energy consumption at scale.”
In November 2014, Hawaii Energy selected Ibis Networks and two other applicants to receive incentive funds for the state’s first Energy Efficiency Auction. The auction was an open call for contractors, developers, energy efficiency solution providers, energy service companies (ESCOs), energy vendors and property managers to submit qualified energy efficiency applications to receive funding for residential and commercial projects.
Ibis Networks has also done installations with Sheraton Waikiki, the Kahala Hotel, and Forest City Military Housing. In addition to being selected into the Energy Excelerator program, Ibis Networks recently received validation from Pierre Omidiyar’s Ulupono Initiative, who invested $350K in the company; won the Best Presenter award at Venture Summit West, a national conference attended by hundreds of investors and corporates; and was named Hawaii Venture Capital Associations Cleantech Entrepreneur of the Year.
The State of Hawaii has set a 30% energy efficiency portfolio standard to be achieved by 2030. This is part of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative’s goal of 70% clean energy by 2030, 40% from renewables and 30% from energy efficiency.
Energy Industry Thought-Leaders Help UH Students
Launch Energy-Savings Pilot Across Three Campuses
Pilot Projections Estimate Plug-Load Energy Savings As High As 50% on Managed Devices
HONOLULU – May 8, 2015– The University of Hawai‘i (UH) and Ibis Networks, a national energy efficiency company based in Hawaii, have launched a pilot project with the potential to save three UH campuses a combined $40,402 per year in energy savings. These energy savings are from the pilot alone. A broader implementation could yield higher savings.
Ibis Networks helps businesses, schools, and other commercial building tenants control and reduce their plug-load electricity usage with their energy management technology and software. Plug-load is the energy consumed by an electric device plugged into a wall socket.
The project is part of Ibis Networks’ participation in the Energy Excelerator, a program for energy-focused companies that provides funding and partnerships for demonstration projects in Hawaii and the Asia Pacific. Hawaii Energy, the ratepayer-funded energy conservation and efficiency program for Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu, co-funded the project through its inaugural Energy Efficiency Auction.
From February to May 2015, Ibis Networks worked with UH students, faculty and staff on three campuses (UH Mānoa, Windward Community College and UH Hilo) to install its innovative energy management system known as ‘InteliNetwork.’ The company then installed 1,232 ‘InteliSockets’, which are plugged into existing electrical wall outlets with the ability to transmit energy usage data every 15 seconds for any electric device plugged into it. The InteliSockets monitored the energy usage of more than 1,500 devices that ranged from computers, monitors, printers, power strips, copiers, mini fridges and televisions.
Ibis Networks monitored energy usage of all three campuses for periods of 2 to 5 week to establish baseline energy profiles. The profiles were used to make recommendations to maximize energy savings that included the following: 1) Scheduling periods with the InteliNetwork platform to turn devices off when not in use; 2) Replacing inefficient devices with modern energy-efficient devices (when the energy savings can pay for the device in less than 24 months) and 3) Modifying equipment and/or user behavior by better managing device usage during core business hours.
If the recommendations are followed, plug-load energy consumption across three campuses may be reduced by as much as 50 percent, which is the equivalent to 192,483 kilowatt hours (kWh) or $40,402 in energy costs per year. The following is a breakdown by campus:
- University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa installed 471 InteliSockets for a potential plug-load energy savings of 65,628 kWh or $11,813 annually based on $0.18/kWh.
- University of Hawai‘i at Hilo installed 461 InteliSockets for a potential plug-load energy savings of 95,925 kWh or $23,022 annually based on $0.24/kWh.
- Windward Community College installed 300 InteliSockets for a potential plug-load energy savings of 30,930 kWh or $5,567 annually based on $0.18/kWh.
The overall project cost was $142,612 in which Hawaii Energy provided $110,000 (77 percent) through its Energy Efficiency Auction. The remaining costs were funded by UH. The energy savings is enough to pay for all three projects in an average of 3.52 years.
“The first step for any institution working to control its energy costs is to obtain detailed data on their actual energy usage,” said Michael Pfeffer, CEO of Ibis Networks. “The InteliNetwork Platform enables large institutions to securely measure and control their Plug Load energy use, whether they have 100 devices or 100,000 spread across multiple campuses. Ibis is proud to work with our partners to help UH understand the potential for significant Plug Load energy savings and we look forward to helping the University achieve its energy savings goals."
The project aligns directly with the University’s sustainability goals. “The University of Hawai‘i is excited about this project helping our campuses incubate innovation, cultivate collaborations that engage our students with the local energy sector to develop our workforce, and advance the University’s and State’s energy efficiency and sustainability goals” stated David Lassner, President of the UH System.
Students have played a significant role in the deployment of this new technology, using the campus as a living laboratory to create practical learning opportunities from real-life situations. “It’s exciting that my research project, which started as an energy waste audit, may help UH and the state become more energy efficient,” said Windward CC pre-engineering student Madori Rumpungworn.
Ibis Networks is a spin off of Oceanit, a Hawaii-based research and development firm. The technology was developed and lab-tested at Oceanit before it spun off and was selected by the Energy Excelerator. The company gained customer traction through the Energy Excelerator’s Go-to-market track before developing this customer project and being awarded $1M through the Energy Excelerator’s Demonstration track.
“When selecting companies, we look for their ability to solve energy challenges we face here in Hawaii. We also assess their commercial potential and ability to scale to markets beyond Hawaii,” said Dawn Lippert, Director of the Energy Excelerator. “Ibis is already working with national partners to scale their model to hotels, campuses, and military bases across the U.S.”
Each year the Energy Excelerator selects a cohort 12-15 of the most innovative companies that can help solve Hawaii’s energy challenges together. They provide funding, up to $1M for demonstration projects, and help companies find the right customers.
“We’re excited to see Ibis Networks’ pilot project come to fruition and thankful for the University of Hawai‘i’s drive and commitment to reduce energy usage,” explained Larry Newman, Director of Business Operations, Hawaii Energy. “It’s an exciting project because UH serves as a model organization interested in lowering its plug-load energy consumption at scale.”
In November 2014, Hawaii Energy selected Ibis Networks and two other applicants to receive incentive funds for the state’s first Energy Efficiency Auction. The auction was an open call for contractors, developers, energy efficiency solution providers, energy service companies (ESCOs), energy vendors and property managers to submit qualified energy efficiency applications to receive funding for residential and commercial projects.
Ibis Networks has also done installations with Sheraton Waikiki, the Kahala Hotel, and Forest City Military Housing. In addition to being selected into the Energy Excelerator program, Ibis Networks recently received validation from Pierre Omidiyar’s Ulupono Initiative, who invested $350K in the company; won the Best Presenter award at Venture Summit West, a national conference attended by hundreds of investors and corporates; and was named Hawaii Venture Capital Associations Cleantech Entrepreneur of the Year.
The State of Hawaii has set a 30% energy efficiency portfolio standard to be achieved by 2030. This is part of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative’s goal of 70% clean energy by 2030, 40% from renewables and 30% from energy efficiency.Energy Industry Thought-Leaders Help UH Students Launch Energy-Savings Pilot Across Three Campuses