Configuring an Energy Usage Report

For a general overview, watch the video below (until the 1:28 mark). For up-to-date, important details, consult the following written information.

Choosing the Right Report Type

A device that you can run an energy usage report for likely has one or both of the following points:

  • A point with kW or W units, associated with the device's power meter, which measures the rate of energy transfer at any given moment

  • A point with kWh or Wh units, associated with the device's meter accumulator, which totals the energy used over a period of time (based on frequent readings of the power meter)

The Energy Usage (From Power) report takes the available readings of a point with kW or W units (a point associated with a device's power meter) and calculates the energy used over the chosen time period (a day, a week, or a month). The Energy Usage (From Power) report functions like an accumulator in this way. However, since KMC Commander reads the point only as frequently as the Point Update Wait Interval setting (every one minute to an hour), it is not as accurate as the device's accumulator, which takes readings every second or faster. It may be accurate enough in some cases.

The Energy Usage (Continuous Accumulators) and Energy Usage (Hourly Accumulators) reports find a point with kWh and Wh units (the point associated with a device's meter accumulator). Therefore, these report types are usually more accurate. However, you must know which type of accumulator the device has (continuous or hourly) and look at the matching report type to see the correct Total Usage (kWh) value. If you do not have that information at hand, look at a trend of the point:

If the trend looks like this... ...use this type of report:

Energy Usage (Continuous Accumulators)

Energy Usage (Hourly Accumulators)

The Energy Usage (Continuous Accumulators) report sums the increases of the point's kWh values over the chosen time period. (The report ignores decreases in the value caused by the accumulator resetting.) Continuous accumulators are the most common type of accumulator for power meters, so this report type is most commonly used. This report type also gives the most accurate Total Usage (kWh) result (if the device has a continuous accumulator).

The Energy Usage (Hourly Accumulators) report averages the readings of the point's hourly kWh values over the chosen time period and multiplies by the number of hours. Because the report is based on an average, the Total Usage (kWh) result is an approximation.

If trend data is not readily available and the device has a point with kWh or Wh units, run all three types of Energy Usage reports, then compare the Total Usage (kWh) results. The report with a Total Usage (kWh) result closest to that of the Energy Usage (From Power) report is most likely the correct report to run (matches that device's type of accumulator).

For viewing once

  1. Go to Reports , then select Add New Report.

  2. From the Choose a Report dropdown menu, choose the right Energy Usage report type for your purpose.

    Note: See Choosing the Right Report Type for guidance.

  3. Make a selection from the Choose time Period dropdown menu.

    Note: Switch Show Time to On if you want columns that show the Start Time and End Time of the energy usage (in addition to the Start Date and End Date).

  4. Do any of the following to locate and view particular points:

    • Filter the displayed points by typing in Search on Point/Device.

    • Increase or decrease the number of Rows per page.

    • Use the previous and next arrows to display points listed on other pages.

  5. If you want a snapshot of these report results, select Download CSV.

  6. Close the new report's window.

To save to run again later

Note: When you save a report, you save that report setting to be run again when you later reopen the report. To save a snapshot of a report's results, select Download CSV.

  1. Complete the actions described in steps 1 to 5 of For viewing once.

  2. Check the boxes next to any points that you will later want to run the report on again.

  3. In the text field at the top of the new report's window, clear New Report and enter a descriptive name.

  4. Select Save.

    Note: The saved report's name, with details expanded below it, appears in the list on the left pane.

  5. Close the new report's window.

    Note: If you want to create multiple report settings from this same open window, be sure to select Save New for each subsequent report. If you select Save, the new configuration will overwrite the old one in the Reports list on the left pane.

To display the report on a dashboard, continue to Adding a Report Module and/or Creating a Report Card.