As the innovative leader in energy information, energy monitoring, data collection and analysis are central to our business. RLW delves far deeper than the standard monthly utility bill and studies the details of energy utilization patterns. Our analysts understand that even the smallest anomalies in energy consumption can have significant effects on utility billing determinants for months or even years. Our load research department is unparalleled in their analytical expertise, and likewise our engineers have a collective background that spans nearly all industries, technologies, and business types. Obtaining and understanding energy data is fundamental to any task of assisting customers in energy optimization. And no efficiency project is complete until the projected savings have been demonstrated and validated through standard measurement and verification (M&V) protocols.

Loadshape and Rate Analysis

Electrical rate structures can be confusing, and most facility managers don't have the time to spend breaking them down. RLW understands rate structures and has tools at hand to help their customers comprehend them as well. RLW can assist customers with understanding their usage profile, why they are placed in a certain rate class, and how they might qualify for and benefit from a different rate structure. Some facilities are capable of managing their demand to qualify them for a different utility rate, but since rates can be highly complex, it may or may not be economical to switch to a different utility rate class. RLW's rate analyses help customers to make such a determination. Along with the Visualize-IT software, RLW uses its Rate Calculator to compare a customer's annual or monthly costs under different utility rates. The software gives the user a breakdown of monthly costs based upon the unique characteristics of the customer's hourly loadshape, including energy, demand, customer charges and taxes. Through this process, RLW will completely explain the customer's current rate class including the specific charges incurred. If the comparative analysis deems it appropriate, RLW will propose a rate switch if there are significant economic savings with minimal customer risk. RLW has a Certified Energy Procurement Professional (CEP) on staff who is qualified to assist customers on activities related to the purchase, sale and marketing of electricity and natural gas.

Metering Studies

RLW has years of experience installing energy monitoring equipment and interpreting metered data in all types of facilities. Our engineers are experts at utilizing custom data collection approaches to obtain insightful information on all type of energy consuming systems. From short-term, time-of-use (TOU) metering studies to permanent installations involving true-RMS three-phase power monitoring, we can develop a monitoring plan to deliver the information that you need to understand and optimize the energy consumption at your facility. RLW can perform short-term studies to help inform facility managers about their energy usage. Our extensive inventory of data loggers and measurement equipment permits us to measure many electrical and non-electrical parameters, including amperage, voltage, power, temperature, pressure, humidity, flow rates, lighting levels, and rotational speed. We recognize the budgetary constraints of our clients in the area of facility management and offer our short-term monitoring and engineering services at competitive rates. In addition to low-cost and short-term monitoring solutions, RLW has experience in specialized services such as ultrasonic flow measurement, immersed fluid sensors, and permanent electrical monitoring installations.

Utility Bill Auditing

The best place to start in an assessment of a facility's energy usage is a simple audit of the utility bills. A surprising number of utility customers do not fully understand the components that comprise a utility bill, let alone the unique language used in the document. While most customers seem to understand the term "demand", many don't realize the distinct meanings it takes on when paired with words such as "penalty", "ratchet", and "block". Once the fundamentals of utility billing are understood, a customer ought to review each month's energy bill not only for errors, but to determine the source of the largest charges. For example, bill auditing often reveals that the much of electric utility charges are demand charges. But if the audit finds that the customer is incurring demand penalties within the current rate schedule, either a rate change or demand control is warranted. Since the utility does not bear the burden of putting the customer on the optimal rate, an energy manager must thoroughly review and understand the utility bills as well as the rate schedules available to the given facility. Let RLW help you with your bill auditing process. Our team of engineers and consultants has utility bill auditing expertise in many markets and service territories. In addition to performing the initial audit, we can provide training on how you can audit your monthly utility bills, track your facility's energy usage in an effective and insightful manner, and extract meaningful data about your facility from these bills. Once fully informed about your energy expenditures, you will be positioned to find the right rate for your facility.

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