Tech: Friend or Foe?

A conversation this week sparked a deeper reflection, and I thought — there’s no better time than now to take a closer look at the role of technology in the energy industry.

In the world of energy and sustainability, tech is often presented as the answer to everything:

• Want to cut carbon emissions? Install this dashboard.

• Need to save energy? Plug in this smart control.

• Keen to reduce your bills? There’s an app for that.

Before diving deeper, let me be clear:
I love technology — and yes, it can save you serious money.

But here’s the catch: its success hinges entirely on planning, understanding, and implementation.
In other words, technology can either be your best ally — or your worst liability.

If you haven’t already, check out my free webinar at the end of May, packed with practical ideas to support your cost-saving journey.

A Real-Life Example

Last week, I visited a site that had invested thousands into a building management system (BMS). On the surface, it looked impressive.

But the reality was?

• Heating was running in unoccupied rooms — despite 24°C weather.

• The monitoring software hadn’t been updated in over six months.

It was a classic case of the “tech installed — job done” mindset.

As Andy, one of the facilities leads, put it:

“We’ve got all this stuff, but I’m not sure it’s actually doing anything — or adding any benefit.”

That experience isn’t unique.

Time and again, I see solar panels that no one cleans, EV chargers with no plan for non-staff use, or smart tech just left to fend for itself.

When Tech Is Your Friend

Technology becomes a true ally when:

It’s properly set up and maintained.
It’s not just about installing tech and leaving it to gather dust. Proper setup and ongoing maintenance ensure the system delivers long-term value.

It leads to action—not just data.
The real power of technology lies in its ability to drive decisions. If all you’re getting is data that’s not being acted upon, the tech is underperforming.

It provides insights that change behaviour—not just numbers on a screen.
Data alone is useless unless it leads to meaningful changes. The real value comes from turning insights into action that drives results.

It’s used by trained people who are empowered to make decisions.
When your team is well-trained and confident in using the technology, they can unlock its full potential. Empowering your team is key to ensuring the tech works for you.

And most importantly, it delivers commercial benefits that align with your cost-saving goals.
At the end of the day, technology should directly contribute to reducing costs and improving efficiency.

When all these factors align, I’ve seen organisations reduce their energy bills by 15-30%. With additional strategies like smart procurement, you can cut your energy costs in half — transforming both your operations and your bottom line.

When Tech Becomes Your Foe

On the flip side, technology becomes a liability when:

It adds complexity without clarity.
If no one knows how to use the system, it becomes a source of confusion rather than control. I often see this in plant rooms — handwritten notes stuck on equipment saying things like “don’t push this button – not working.” And I always think, what happens if I do? Better not find out.

It creates false confidence.
You feel like things are “sorted” just because the tech is in place. But if nothing's actually changed, it’s just a mirage. Often, a system that’s 80% there needs a small investment or update — and could be saving you ten times the cost.

It becomes a tick-box exercise.
If it’s only being used to write reports or please auditors, rather than deliver results, it’s wasted potential. Sometimes it’s not even used at all — just another tool gathering dust.

No one knows how to interpret or act on the data.
This is one of the most common issues I see. You’ve got the data — half-hourly readings, performance graphs, dashboards — but no one’s trained or tasked with making it mean something. Without that, data is just noise.

Here’s the kicker: most businesses are somewhere in the middle.
You might have a solar monitoring platform that works well, but a BMS that’s completely out of sync. Or great data, but no one with the time to analyse it. That doesn’t mean you’re doing badly — it just means it’s time to pause, review, and reset.

So, What Do You Do About It?

Here’s how I approach it:

Start with your goals.
Before anything else, get clear on what you're trying to achieve — is it cost savings, carbon reduction, compliance, or all three? This defines everything that follows.

Audit what you’ve already got.
Don’t rush to buy new tech. First, take a close look at what’s already installed. Is it working? Is it maintained? Is it delivering value? A proper audit helps you answer the big questions: Is your current setup efficient? Could it be? Are there six-figure savings over the next five years, or are those just hopeful guesses?

Simplify where possible.
Technology only works if people actually use it. If you’ve got three dashboards and no one’s logging in, it’s not a tech problem — it’s a usability one. Consolidate and streamline wherever you can.

Focus on outcomes, not features.
Forget the bells and whistles. The key question is: does this technology help reduce costs, carbon, or consumption? If not, it doesn’t belong in your plan. My rule of thumb: no commercial benefit, no point.

Make data meaningful.
Data on its own is just noise. It only becomes powerful when tied to a clear goal and put in the right hands. I like to think of data as a map — but only if it’s accurate and up to date. Otherwise, you’re trying to navigate in the dark.

A Quick Overview of Useful Technologies

I make it my business to stay on top of emerging technologies in the energy industry. Some solutions offer consistent commercial benefits that really catch my attention. I see it as my role to help connect those solutions, share their message, and help end users understand both the functionality and the commercial benefit.

Solar PV
Still one of the best-known renewable technologies. When designed well and maintained properly (including regular cleaning), PV systems can significantly reduce grid demand and long-term costs. But don’t assume savings are automatic — poor design or lack of maintenance will undermine performance.

EV Charging Stations
With the rise in electric vehicles, many sites are installing EV chargers. But the financial benefit depends entirely on how well they’re integrated. Without a plan for optimised use or monetisation (like pay-to-use charging or fleet integration), it can become a sunk cost.

LED Lighting
Fast ROI. Swapping out traditional lighting for LED is one of the quickest wins in energy efficiency. Lower energy use, reduced maintenance, and improved carbon performance — particularly powerful when retrofitting large estates.

Battery Storage (e.g. Tesla Powerwall)
A good match for high solar generation sites. Batteries let you store excess energy to use later — reducing peak demand, increasing self-consumption, and boosting resilience. Worth considering as part of a full site review.

Monitoring and Control Technologies

Building Management Systems (BMS)
These allow real-time control of heating, lighting, ventilation, and more. But they’re only as useful as the people using them. Too many systems are installed and forgotten. When maintained and properly managed, a BMS can become a cornerstone of energy efficiency.

Dashboards and Energy Platforms
These tools bring together data from across your estate — electricity, gas, renewables, even water. They allow teams to track usage, spot inefficiencies, and benchmark performance. But here’s the truth: dashboards don’t save energy. People do. If no one is engaging with the data, it becomes just another login. The best results come when dashboards are embedded into monthly reporting and management processes.

New Technologies for Gas and Electric Efficiency

Powatrim
Designed to reduce electricity use by trimming unnecessary power spikes. It’s particularly useful for businesses with large equipment or unpredictable loads.

VO Electric
This solution dynamically manages electrical consumption, helping high-demand businesses reduce costs without affecting performance.

Magnatech (Gas)
Specialist equipment that fine-tunes gas use — particularly in heating-intensive environments. It helps reduce consumption and associated carbon emissions.

Supporting and Emerging Technologies

Smart Thermostats and Controls
A good upgrade for buildings with inconsistent heating or cooling. These systems optimise operation times and temperature settings, with potential for major savings — but again, installation and usage matter.

Heat Recovery Systems
Particularly useful in kitchens, manufacturing, or any space where heat is being wasted. These systems capture and reuse that energy, reducing overall consumption.

Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
These adjust motor speeds to match demand, improving efficiency. They’re commonly used in pumps, fans, and HVAC systems.

Smart Meters
Often the first step toward better energy management. Smart meters offer real-time insights into energy use — essential for tracking and targeting improvements.

Demand Response Systems
Allow you to reduce consumption during peak grid times in exchange for financial incentives. Still underused, but growing in relevance as the grid becomes more dynamic.

Looking Ahead: Emerging Solutions with Future Promise

Hydrogen Technologies
Hydrogen is likely to play a role in hard-to-electrify industries, though most businesses won’t see immediate benefits. Worth watching if you're in transport, manufacturing, or large-scale heating.

Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Still a niche technology due to high installation costs, but very efficient over the long term. Good for large new-builds or retrofits where low-carbon heating is a priority.

Advanced Insulation Materials (e.g. Aerogel)
Materials like aerogel provide incredible thermal performance. They’re more expensive than standard insulation but offer long-term savings — especially in older buildings.

Key Focus: Commercial Benefit

As I’ve said before, commercial sense is key. These technologies hold potential, but I only recommend them when there’s a clear commercial benefit. This means:

• Payback periods are well understood.

• ROI calculations demonstrate tangible savings.

• Technology is properly integrated into business operations with clear action plans.

• Ongoing maintenance is ensured.

Without these elements, it’s easy to fall into the trap of installing tech just for the sake of it, which can lead to frustration and wasted resources.

Final Thought

Technology is a tool, not a strategy.
It won’t fix problems on its own — but when aligned with your goals, people, and operations, it’s a game changer.

So, here’s the question to ask this week:

Is the tech I’ve invested in truly helping — or is it just giving the illusion of progress?

If you're unsure, I'm always happy to chat. Or join my free webinar and learn how to take back control.

Until next week, just remember this:

“Success is a system, not a secret. Build it, own it—and never wait for permission to improve it.” www.vitalisenergy.uk

Ready to Start?
• Download your free energy audit tool
• Register for the May webinar
• Or just email me: [email protected]