The solution helps chain retailers reduce energy and maintenance costs through equipment monitoring and control combined with web-based business intelligence.
Site-command lowers energy consumption and maintenance costs in retail and restaurant facilities through a sophisticated on-site EMS unit which monitors and controls heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, interior and exterior lighting, store signage, refrigerators, trash compactors, solar panels and wind power. In addition, enterprise-wide issue reporting and asset intelligence are provided through a hosted data center. Besides lowering costs, Site-command also improves customer comfort by ensuring corporate standards for temperature and lighting are consistently maintained across the chain.
Michaels Stores initially deployed the site-command system in early 2006, achieving immediate energy reductions of 17% through schedule and set point compliance. By utilizing the platform’s above-site visibility to identify and remedy HVAC and lighting equipment issues, Michaels Stores further reduced energy use over time, with sustained reductions now exceeding 25%.
Besides lowering energy costs, Site Controls has helped significantly reduce Michaels Stores’ carbon emissions. By lowering electricity usage by 137 million kilowatt hours annually, Michaels Stores has reduced CO2 emissions by about 192 million lbs. This is the equivalent of removing 17,400 cars from the road or powering over 12,900 households for a year.
“We are extremely pleased with the results we’ve seen from Site Controls in controlling our store-level energy expenses,” said Rob McClay, vice president of store development and construction for Michaels Stores. “Their enterprise tools help ensure we maintain and increase our savings over time. Most importantly, they serve as a true partner on our energy management journey.”
“We are proud to count leading retailers such as Michaels among our partners,” said Dan Sharplin, chief executive officer of Site Controls. “We look forward to working collaboratively to find additional ways to expand Michaels’ ROI from using the Site-Command platform.”
The site-command system also features intelligent load management capabilities which allow Michaels Stores to participate in utility-sponsored demand response programs to reduce electricity usage during peak periods. Site Controls intelligently manages electrical loads during critical grid situations, allowing Michaels Stores to implement load reductions with minimal impact to the consumer shopping experience. By grouping hundreds of facilities together for demand response events, site controls can maximize the incentive payments retailers receive from utilities, while maintaining the store environment according to pre-defined business rules.
Michaels Stores is a US-based specialty retailer of arts and crafts.
