An automated diagnostic system to streamline DSM project maintenance

After completion of the Demand Side Management (DSM) project, many Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) continue to provide a service to the client through their Energy Management Systems (EMSs). This is done even though, after completion of the DSM project, the EMS becomes the responsibility of the client. This paper investigates the implications of maintaining EMSs. General causes of gradual degradation in EMS performance are discussed, based on experience gained through the implementing more than forty DSM projects. With the increased bandwidth and availability of mobile internet, remote monitoring and diagnostics has become more feasible. Remote Diagnostic and Maintenance Systems (RDMSs) have already been successfully implemented in vehicles, aircraft and mobile devices. RDMS applications are also used in the manufacturing and pulp-and-paper industries. The success of these projects emphasise the value of using an RDMS to streamline the maintenance process. An RDMS is an assistive tool that can help ESCOs to diagnose faults that may impede EMS performance. With this system, the time and manpower wasted on maintaining a large number of EMSs can be reduced considerably. More importantly, this system allows for rapid identification and diagnosis of maintenance issues, subsequently minimising production losses and missed DSM opportunities.