Challenge
Public authorities manage large portfolios of schools, offices, hospitals and cultural buildings, but their energy and water data are often dispersed across different systems or presented in ways that are difficult to interpret. Facility managers may lack the time, specialist knowledge and IT resources needed to analyse thousands of meter readings, identify unusual composition and explain investment needs to decision-makers. Ageing infrastructure, restricted buildings and limited access to smart-meter data make it even harder to turn available information into timely efficiency measures.
Solutions
EDI-Net transformed short-interval energy and water readings into clear, practical information. Its online dashboard displayed building performance through accessible graphics, alerts and simple “smiley-face” indicators, while benchmarking and league tables allowed municipalities to compare similar buildings. Diagnostic reports helped energy managers detect waste and malfunctioning equipment, and an online forum, training materials and local campaigns engaged in finance departments, building staff, teachers and pupils in reducing consumption.
Results
The EDI-Net system was deployed across 1,329 public buildings in three countries, reaching approximately 540,000 building users. It gave municipalities a quicker way to identify abnormal consumption and direct attention towards buildings requiring action. In Nuremberg alone, dashboard visualisations helped detect water leaks and avoid the loss of around 12,800 cubic meters of water in 2018, equivalent to more than €51,400 in costs.
Beyond immediate savings, EDI-Net helped move energy management closer to the people operating and using individual buildings. Schools used the dashboard in competitions and environmental education, while facility teams received evidence to justify maintenance and investment decisions. The resulting dashboard, benchmarking tools, evaluation reports, training resources and policy guidance provided a replicable model for using smart-meter data to support local energy and climate plans.