When it comes to energy management, many businesses are put off by the prospect of solutions that require a complex setup and significant capital investment. That is why Schneider Electric has developed a solution to address the issue with its Remote Energy Management (REM), an online energy measurement tool which helps track and access energy use across multiple sites – all on a cost effective payment structure with no need for onsite servers.

The system integrates with a building’s existing energy meters and allows you to monitor water, gas, electricity and steam consumption and even report on cost saving opportunities by tracking the best energy rate. It also allows you to verify the accuracy of energy bills, track and report on CO2 emissions, set emission targets and creates schedules for sending energy usage reports and updates via email. Also, because of the system’s cloud-based location, information can be accessed anywhere you have an internet connection, including smart phones.

REM can also identify major power inefficiencies within a premises; a tool Schneider Electric general manager – marketing, power business, Farokh Ghadially says is integral to kick-starting a company’s energy savings.

“In many cases, you can save up to 25% just by fixing the basics. We found customers that had previously invested in power factor correction units that hadn’t even been turned on, and there have also been instances where a company had been paying for energy on sites that no longer belong to them.”