May 31, 2004—Interbrew Belgium has chosen an enterprise energy management system from Power Measurement to help control costs and improve power quality at its Leuven, Belgium-based brewery, one of the oldest breweries in the Interbrew group. The Internet-based system uses a network of ION intelligent energy meters and software to help Interbrew monitor energy usage, verify billing and allocate costs by individual processes. According to Jan Van de Bergh, Interbrew energy manager at the Leuven plant, the ability to track and control energy costs was a key factor in the decision to invest in an enterprise energy management system.
“Although we wanted revenue-accurate meters to illustrate just how the plant uses electricity, we also wanted to improve power quality,” said Van de Bergh. “With the ION system, we can compare costs, track expenses by division, and verify the monthly utility bill. We can create load profiles for each division to compare usage from month to month, and manage energy usage to control demand. At the same time, the system monitors power quality—such as harmonics, and especially voltage dips – to help improve overall efficiency and reliability of equipment throughout the plant.”
ION 7600 meters installed on the facility’s two incoming lines monitor energy and compliance with the European voltage standard EN 50160, while Ethernet-equipped ION 7500 and ION 7350 meters monitor energy at the main feeders. EME—Power Measurement’s distributor for Belgium – engineered, installed and commissioned the system in close cooperation with Interbrew’s energy and IT specialists. While identifying areas where energy efficiency can be improved, the ION system also helps to verify the effectiveness of energy-saving measures. With this investment, Interbrew now has the tools to control the cost, quality and reliability of its power.
For more information, visit Electro Mechanic Equipment N.V., (EME).
