Sustainability has become a mainstream concern, it’s little wonder then that Irish farmers are increasingly looking to innovative technologies to help reduce costs and drive operational efficiency. Luckily, one such technology stands out for its ability to provide valuable insights without any additional cost: the Smart Meter.
Over two million smart meters have now been installed in Irish homes, farms, and businesses. William Condon is one such person.
“When it was first offered, I actually declined it,” says William. The Tipperary dairy farmer was initially unsure of the benefits. So what changed his mind?
“From feed, to fertilizer, to energy, the cost to run the farm has increased 56% since 2015. It's a big concern. So I started looking into solar panels and realised to make the most of them, I’d need a Smart Meter.”
William is not wrong. In addition to eliminating the need for estimated bills, Smart Meters also take the guess work out of micro-generation payments. So, if you’re generating more electricity than you can use or store, you are paid for any excess electricity you sell to the grid based on the actual amount you export, rather than an approximation based on the number of solar panels you have.
The benefits of a Smart Meter don’t end with accurate billing and generation payments. The data Smart Meters generate can provide a detailed understanding of electricity consumption patterns. With information available down to 30-minute intervals, farmers are empowered to identify equipment inefficiencies and optimise operations to minimise peak-time consumption.
It may not be feasible to milk during off-peak times, or switch to once-a-day milking. However, if William notices that a water heating system uses a lot of energy during peak hours, he may be able to shift some of that usage off-peak by upgrading storage tank insulation.
Tapping into these kind of insights and realising the value of your Smart Meter, begins with one easy step: creating an online account with ESB Networks. Once an account has been created, the data will become available on an easy-to-read dashboard. Within a month, you will be able to see exactly how much electricity you are using or generating, by month, week, and day, right down to half-hour intervals. You will also be able to see a breakdown of your usage across the day, night, and peak times.
For farmers, these insights can lead to significant cost savings and better decision-making around investments in technology. And, for those who are looking to improve sustainability, Smart Meter insights can help reduce the overall carbon footprint of their farm.
To take the first step towards greater operational efficiency and a low-carbon future, register for your account today.