Opto 22's OptoEMU Sensor Demand Response unit gathers real-time energy consumption and demand data

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Opto 22's OptoEMU Sensor Demand Response energy monitoring unit is designed to gather real-time energy consumption and demand data. It then delivers that data to enterprise business and control systems and Web-based applications for monitoring and analysis.

The OptoEMU Sensor DR first gathers energy data from up to two utility meters or submeters that emit a standard pulsing signal. Each pulse emitted corresponds to an amount of energy used, and by counting pulses, the OptoEMU Sensor DR can track the total amount of energy used as well as demand. The OptoEMU Sensor DR can also receive power usage and other data from a variety of devices using the Modbus communication protocol. Using Modbus over an Ethernet or serial network, the OptoEMU Sensor DR can communicate with devices such as temperature sensors and flow meters, Modbus-enabled current transformers (CTs), and power analyzers, as well as larger facility systems such as plant equipment, building management systems, and HVAC systems.

Once gathered by the OptoEMU Sensor DR, real-time energy data is sent to Web-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) energy management applications and enterprise business systems, where it can be viewed and analyzed. OptoEMU Sensor DR can also send energy data to databases, enterprise management systems, and other enterprise business systems using a standard XML protocol.

In addition to reducing power usage in a facility, many organizations have the opportunity to lower utility costs-and in some cases generate revenue-by participating in demand-response (DR) programs. In exchange for reduced utility rates and other incentives, electric utilities, demand-response aggregators, and curtailment service providers may periodically request that a customer reduce power usage (the "response") to an agreed-upon level. In this situation, the OptoEMU Sensor DR can signal existing energy or building management systems to respond.

In addition to implementing demand-response requests, the OptoEMU Sensor DR can also operate independently to shed electrical equipment loads when predefined usage thresholds are reached.

The OptoEMU DR is available in two models, one for use on both wireless and wired Ethernet networks, and one for use on wired Ethernet networks only. OPTOEMU-SNR-DR1 communicates over a standard 10/100 Mbps wired Ethernet network, over an 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN (local area network), or over both simultaneously. If wireless connectivity isn't required, OPTOEMU-SNR-DR2 communicates over a standard 10/100 Mbps wired Ethernet network.

Company Information

Opto 22

Website: www.opto22.com