Michaels Stores, a specialty retailer of arts and crafts, has deployed an energy management system (EMS) at more than 900 retail stores, lowering electricity usage by more than 25 percent.
Michaels installed the Site-Command EMS platform from Site Controls to help the company reduce its energy and maintenance costs. The retailer deployed the energy management system in early 2006, initially achieving energy reductions of 17 percent. By using the platform to identify and fix heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and lighting equipment issues, Michaels further reduced energy use over time, with reductions now exceeding 25 percent.
In addition to lower energy costs, Site Controls has helped the company reduce its carbon emissions. By lowering electricity usage by 137 million kilowatt hours annually, Michaels has reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 192 million lbs. This is the equivalent of removing 17,400 cars from the road or powering over 12,900 households for a year, according to the company.
Targeted at retail and restaurant facilities, the Site-Command platform monitors and controls HVAC systems, interior and exterior lighting, store signage, refrigerators, trash compactors, solar panels and wind power. It also provides Web-based reporting and asset intelligence through a hosted data center.
The system also features Intelligent Load Management capabilities that allow the retailer to participate in utility-sponsored Demand Response programs to reduce electricity usage during peak periods. By grouping hundreds of facilities together for Demand Response events, Site Controls maximizes the incentive payments retailers receive from utilities.
