Energy Managers & Application Managers

Energy Managers & Application Managers

Energy managers and application managers are calculation and monitoring devices that translate measured process variables into energy and flow performance indicators. They sit close to the measurement layer, combining signals such as flow, temperature, and pressure to quantify thermal energy in heating/cooling circuits and steam systems. This creates a measurement‑based foundation for systematic energy optimization rather than estimates.

Core functionality centers on energy-flow recording and standardized calculations. Inputs from flowmeters and temperature/pressure sensors are used to calculate the energy content of liquids or the mass and energy flow of steam, with totals, demand values, and efficiency metrics derived from time-stamped data. Dedicated heat meters and steam calculators support thermal accounting, and flow computers cover standardized gas or liquid metering calculations and reporting. Depending on the platform, functions can extend beyond calculation to include logging of operational datasets and compact control actions for packaged systems.

The benefit is quantified visibility into utility performance and cost drivers. Heating and cooling are inherently energy‑intensive, and in some industries energy costs can approach a substantial portion of overall production costs. Accurate heat and steam accounting enables targeted reduction projects, verification of improvements, and allocation of costs to units or tenants. Energy balances also help identify losses from fouling, valve leakage, insulation degradation, or suboptimal control strategies.

Integration typically includes industrial communication for reporting and higher-level analytics. Calculated values can be exposed to SCADA/PLC/DCS systems and energy management platforms for dashboards, alarms, and optimization routines. Because calculations execute at the edge, network interruptions do not eliminate local totals or time-stamped histories, and commissioning can be aligned with existing measurement standards (matched sensor types, ranges, and required approvals).

Typical applications include heat metering on hot-water loops, condenser and chiller performance monitoring, steam generation and distribution accountability, and energy KPI tracking for process lines. They are also used in metering stations and measurement skids where application managers and flow computers consolidate runs and provide standardized totals and reports.

Forberg Smith, an exclusive authorized representative of sales and service for Endress+Hauser.