Electrical Power & Protection


Omniflex cures NHS energy monitoring headache

September 2012 Electrical Power & Protection

When Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in the UK decided to collect energy consumption data in real-time from over one hundred energy meters around its two hospitals, it chose Omniflex to provide the server and communications infrastructure.

The challenge

The NHS Foundation Trust wanted to upgrade its existing energy reporting over the two hospitals to obtain usage data every 30 minutes, reliably over the entire site. There was a mix of existing intelligent meters and pulse meters that could not be replaced due to the cost constraints. Furthermore, the Trust wanted to minimise network installation costs, by utilising its existing Ethernet backbone, but a limitation of the number of available IP addresses was also a consideration that had to be taken into account. Network downtime is a reality and dealing with these network outages without losing the 30 minute updates was also a challenge to be overcome.

The solution

Omniflex supplied and commissioned an on-site 'Omnergy Data Server' and 13 metering gateways to communicate with more than one hundred new and existing energy meters around the two sites, counting pulses from the pulse meters and polling the smart meters for the data. Http://tinyurl.com/bo352n5 for full details on how Omniflex provided a cost effective solution for monitoring energy usage and presenting the data to the facilities manager.

For more information contact Ian Loudon, Omniflex, +27 (0)31 207 7466, [email protected], www.omniflex.com



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Power supply with scalability optimised
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has introduced the Easy UPS 3-Phase Modular to the South African marketplace. This robust uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is designed to protect critical loads while offering third-party verified Live Swap functionality.

Read more...
Prioritising arc flash safety
Comtest Electrical Power & Protection
Comtest has developed a range of thermal imaging and wireless testing tools from Fluke, designed to ensure safety is the top priority for engineers working in potentially dangerous arc flash zones.

Read more...
Hot Dip Galvanizers Association shines new light on renewable energy
Electrical Power & Protection
The Hot Dip Galvanizers Association of Southern Africa plays an important role in supporting the energy value chain – which spans clean, renewable and green energy – as it powers towards key sustainability targets.

Read more...
ACTOM supplies high-voltage equipment to wind farm project
ACTOM Electrical Machines Electrical Power & Protection
ACTOM High Voltage Equipment is currently in the process of manufacturing 400 kV and 132 kV high-voltage primary equipment for the Ummbila Emoyeni wind farm project in Mpumalanga.

Read more...
Energy measurement module for BL20 I/O System
Turck Banner Southern Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Turck’s BL20 energy measurement module enables precise monitoring of the energy consumption of single- or three-phase systems.

Read more...
Distributed energy resource management systems: a grid symphony
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
To listen to a symphony is one of the world’s great gifts. A conductor must ensure that instruments play beautifully as a whole and are kind to the ear and uplifting to the spirit yet shine in their individuality. The same can be said of a DERMS, which must effectively manage diverse energy sources to avoid compromising the grid’s integrity.

Read more...
Keeping mine outstations connected
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists Industrial Wireless
Remote monitoring specialist, Omniflex has helped wireless data communications systems firm, Scan RF implement site-wide monitoring systems at the 17 000-hectare Kolomela iron ore mine in South Africa.

Read more...
Focus on energy sector infrastructure development can drive economic growth
Electrical Power & Protection
Post-election periods in South Africa often see a renewed focus on infrastructure development, with a specific emphasis on directing investments towards the energy sector. This strategic approach aims to accelerate economic growth, address energy challenges, and ultimately uplift the overall standard of living for the populace.

Read more...
Turning the continent into a global leader for green fuel
Electrical Power & Protection
Africa is at a turning point, with the potential to shift from being a supplier of raw materials to becoming a leader in advanced manufacturing, particularly in the growing green hydrogen market. For this transformation to happen, African countries must work together, combining their resources and talents to build a strong local economy.

Read more...
Epiroc showcases battery-electric drill rig at MINExpo 2024
Electrical Power & Protection
Epiroc recently showcased a demonstrator of the first ever Down-The-Hole SmartROC D65 battery-electric drill rig at the MINExpo exhibition in Las Vegas.

Read more...