Siemens announced the availability of its Energy Management Service Agreement (EMSA), a new program combining key Siemens products, software and services to effectively outsource all aspects of demand side energy management. By using energy and maintenance cost reductions to pay for the monthly program service fees, the EMSA allows retailers to generate immediate cash flow improvements without capital investment. In addition, the EMSA offers retailers savings guarantees to help ensure that the program will be cash-flow positive.

Retailers sometimes hesitate to deploy an Energy Management System (EMS) across their stores for a variety of reasons. These might include a lack of access to capital, uncertainty about achieving desired financial returns, and insufficient internal resources to effectively monitor the EMS. Other concerns often include costly equipment repair and maintenance expenses and the need to periodically update EMS software.

Energy management as a service utilizes Siemens’ Site Controls Energy Management System and helps alleviate all of these worries. In addition to the actual EMS hardware, the EMSA includes a full equipment warranty, access to new capabilities via regular software upgrades, and real-time access to the Site Controls Enterprise Portal, as well as program management and troubleshooting support. 

“Pairing our proven energy management platform with an energy services contract modeled on those Siemens has successfully used in other sectors will allow our retail customers more flexibility and visibility, all while working with a single solution provider,” notes Marcus Boerkei, General Manager of the Retail and Commercial Systems group at Siemens’ Building Technologies Division. “Combining this with a savings assurance backed by Siemens eliminates many of the risks typically associated with a capital investment in EMS.”

According to Boerkei, the Site Controls platform will not only help retailers achieve sustained reductions in energy usage but, by leveraging enterprise analytics and integration capabilities, will allow them to reduce HVAC maintenance costs as well. Additionally, the in-depth performance information can also help retailers better manage their HVAC capital budgets and decide whether to repair or replace units.