by Tracking Energy Consumption
One of the primary functions of sustainability software is to monitor and track the energy consumption of an organization’s facilities in real-time. The software enables connecting various utility meters, sub-meters, and Internet of Things devices across buildings to gather granular consumption data of electricity, gas, water and other utilities on an hourly or minute basis. This high-frequency data collection allows organizations to identify wasted or unnecessary energy usage and pinpoint areas of improvement.
The software provides customizable dashboards and reports to visualize energy consumption trends over time. Managers can compare performance across sites and set benchmark or reduction targets. Any anomalies or spikes in usage are flagged. Drilling down the data, users can analyze patterns and see exactly how and when energy is consumed department-wise or device-wise which aids in planning demand response strategies.
Greenhouse Gas Accounting
With energy consumption being one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability platforms also integrate carbon accounting capabilities. Users can calculate and report the carbon footprint resulting from various scopes of operations based on activity data and standardized emission factors.
The software helps comply with global emissions reporting protocols like the GHG Protocol. It tracks not just direct emissions from owned assets but also indirect emissions from purchased electricity, business travel, waste generation etc. Users get accurate and auditable emissions inventories to track progress against reduction targets set to meet climate goals over time.
Renewable Energy Management
As corporates increasingly rely on renewable sources like solar, wind for achieving net-zero goals, sustainability software offers management of these distributed energy assets. It monitors production from renewable projects in real-time, schedules dispatch based on power needs and sells surplus energy back to the grid.
Users can simulate ‘what-if’ scenarios to optimize system sizing during planning. Remote fault diagnostics ensure maximum asset utilization. Integrations allow revenue from renewable energy credits or carbon offsets to be quantified. Overall, it streamlines operations and compliance of behind-the-meter renewable portfolio.
Sustainable Procurement & Supply Chain
A major area of focus today is driving Sustainability And Energy Management Software deeper into supply chains. Vendors carbon footprint, environmental and social compliance are evaluated through supplier scorecards.
Procurement modules in sustainability platforms enable companies to implement responsible sourcing policies. Users can assess supplier risks, set criteria for preferred materials, track spend on certified sustainable products. Dynamic dashboards showcase top suppliers, hotspots in supply chain footprint to prioritize collaborative improvement projects.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Actionable business intelligence is core to the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives. Dashboards with KPIs, comparisons and predictive analytics empower data-driven decision making. Advanced features include automated forecasting of future consumption, costs and emissions.
Machine learning algorithms identify usage patterns, inefficiencies and savings opportunities. Natural language generation converts complex data into targeted, plain-language reports for non-technical stakeholders. Simulation modeling aids robust long-term strategic planning and scenario analysis considering policy changes.
Standards & Compliance
Regulatory compliance is simplified with sustainability platforms closely tracking evolving environmental regulations and mandatory reporting standards. Automated workflows seamlessly generate compliance documents with all requisite disclosures.
Built-in libraries of sustainability frameworks, certifications and disclosure questionnaires guides adherence to standards like CDP, GRI, TCFD etc. Alerts keep abreast of shifting compliance deadlines. Integrated document management and version control aids audit preparedness.
Empowering Sustainability Teams
Modern software empower sustainability, EHS and energy teams to deliver higher impact with their limited resources. Features like centralized project and issue tracking, team collaboration enhances productivity.
Crowdsourced idea platforms and gamification drives employee engagement in sustainability initiatives. Customizable training modules and certifications develops capabilities. Comprehensive platforms provide a one-stop solution to strategize, execute and transparently report on ESG performance.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
