aM&T - the way ahead
February 1st 2006

The increasing pressure on energy managers and developers to include automatic monitoring and targeting (aM&T) devices in nondomestic properties has spurred the rapid development of these systems. Lisa Wilkinson, business development director, t-mac Technologies describes how these devices work and how they can help reduce an organisations energy and water consumption.

aM&T devices operate by being programmed to monitor a machines/assets desired conditions - for example vibration and load, leaks and flooding - it will then send alerts to managers, via SMS/email, should the levels fall outwith preset criteria.

Status data from the machine is then gathered via analogue or digital inputs and uploaded to a central server where users can view status and asset information via easy to read graphs and tables. aM&T devices are, in effect, taking on the time intensive and often impossible role of 24/7 monitoring and control.

While a data logging and reporting device is not a new concept, it is the ability of aM&T devices to automatically and wirelessly (GPRS transmit remotely monitored and controlled information and allow users to access and easily analyse data via any Internet enabled PC at any time, that is.

Devices such as t-mac are entirely automatic, for example with t-mac users can control boiler on/off times by anlaysing temperatures and coordinating suitable 'on' times. It can also remotely shut-down machinery or turn it off if levels become critical.

Through constant monitoring aM&T devices can account for the energy consumption of equipment through techniques such as logging electricity and oil consumed within the building and monitoring run efficiency of the water heater. t-mac can also detect water wastage. The Energy Saving Trust highlighted this in its recent study - monitoring energy consumption has an average payback of less than six months and an average return on investment of 200%.

Businesses employing aM&T devices such as t-mac qualify for a further 5% allowance on the CO2 target and, as t-mac is listed on the Energy Technology List for aM&T, users can also benefit from 100% capital allowance on their first year of expenditure.

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