MFG has been trialling a piece of technology which helps it establish how much electricity specific appliances are using at its forecourts.
Last month, the Top 50 Indie started using the Centrica Business Solutions’ PowerRadar energy management platform at two of its sites.
At its Hall Street Service Station at Offerton, Stockport, it wanted to establish how much power its air conditioning and refrigeration units and condensers were using, as well as measuring how much energy its solar panels at the site were generating.
Also, at its New Wolfe Service Station, on Chester Road, Manchester, it is monitoring how much energy specific pieces of equipment in its Burger King concession is using, alongside its beverage dispensers, dishwashers, lighting, refrigeration, and even the power points in the seating areas which customers use to plug-in their computers or to charge their phones.
The technology, installed by The Jordon Group, works by current transformers (CTs) being clamped onto each circuit that requires monitoring inside the electricity distribution board. The CTs transmit the kWh to the PowerRadar bridge that connects to the internet so that the data can be viewed online through the portal.
It is the first time that The Jordon Group has installed the equipment, which enables businesses to make decisions to control their energy use. But its service controller Nigel Siddall believes it will be a valuable contribution to help forecourt operators reduce costs.
“Everyone is looking at different ways of cutting down on power to save money and to improve their carbon footprint. Using PowerRadar gives you greater control,” he says.
