Submetering or portfolio
Article 4 of 13 · Choosing platforms and providersWhat is the difference between machine submetering and portfolio EMS?
Direct answer
Machine submetering measures consumption at installation, line or machine level. A portfolio EMS looks more broadly at sites, meters, contracts, costs, peaks and reporting. Submetering is strong for detailed diagnosis; portfolio EMS is stronger for overview, prioritisation and multi-site decision-making.
- Submetering gives detail at installation level
- Portfolio EMS gives overview across sites
- Hardware is not always the first step
- The combination can be strong for complex energy questions
Machine submetering versus portfolio EMS
Organisations sometimes compare hardware-focused submetering solutions with EMS platforms. That is not always fair: they solve different problems. The choice depends on whether you want to measure detailed consumption within a process or rather get a grip on sites, contracts and management reporting.
- Submetering answers: which machine or installation consumes energy?
- Portfolio EMS answers: which site, meter or contract needs attention?
- In practice, the two can complement each other.
Level
Traditional approach
Machine, installation, line or process.
Modern approach
Site, meter, building, contract and portfolio.
Goal
Traditional approach
Detailed diagnosis and process optimisation.
Modern approach
Overview, reporting, prioritisation and decision-making.
Data
Traditional approach
Extra hardware meters or sensors.
Modern approach
Smart meter data, EANs, sites and contract context.
User
Traditional approach
Operations, production, engineering.
Modern approach
Facility, finance, management, purchasing and energy team.
When do you choose submetering?
Submetering fits when you want to know exactly which machine, installation or production line uses energy and when existing measurement data is too coarse for that.
- Process optimisation at machine level.
- Unknown consumption within a building or line.
- Technical analysis of installations.
- Proof needed for specific measures.
When do you choose portfolio EMS?
Portfolio EMS fits when you want an overview across multiple sites, meters or contracts and want to use energy insights for reporting, purchasing or priorities.
- Multiple sites or buildings.
- Central reporting to management.
- Track costs, peaks and contracted capacity.
- Compare over time and between sites.
Can both work together?
Yes. A portfolio EMS can show where deeper analysis is needed. Submetering can then investigate the cause further at that site or installation.
- First determine portfolio priorities.
- Then deploy detailed measurement where needed.
- Justify hardware costs in a targeted way.
- Bring insights back to management level.
Curious what this looks like with your own data?
In a no-obligation call, a specialist looks at your meters, sites and energy questions with you. Response within one business day.
Search the knowledge base
Find the answer to your question.
Search using your own words. Abbreviations and spelling variants are recognised, so EMS also finds the articles on energy management systems.
Topic
