What is Redshift Wireless?

A friend asked an interesting question today – she asked “What Is Redshift Wireless”? Whilst I was able to give her an answer that satisfied her, I thought it might be useful to explain here what Redshift Wireless actually is.

Redshift Wireless is founded on the concept that the biggest savings in energy, and therefore cost and CO2 emissions are likely to come from the areas of greatest usage. Whilst this might sounds rather obvious, many energy efficiency programs have been targeted at a small area of energy consumption whilst ignoring much larger areas. An example of this is the move towards Compact Fluorescent Light Globes. Whilst marketed as a major saving for households, the fact is that as a percentage, very little energy is used by lighting.

Conversely, larger actual saving of energy is possible by smaller percentage changes in the energy consumption used in heating and cooling. These areas require some investment to generate the savings, but the pay-offs are much greater, in terms of reduced energy consumption, energy cost and CO2 emissions.

This brings me to my second point. We believe that payback periods should be as short as possible for technology. We feel that payback periods of over five years for renewable technologies are harder to justify, and small changes in the underlying assumptions could push the payback out much further to the point where it is not really economical. We prefer payback periods of under three years, and will do everything we can to support those terms.

Redshift Wireless also believes that through the intelligent use of technology that it is possible to reduce energy consumption without the reduction having much impact on the users. This can be as simple as changing the thermostat of a cooling system a degree warmer on a hot day – a change that the human body will not notice but that will make savings. It can also mean monitoring air handling systems ensuring that you clean filters. Or even automatically turning heating and cooling off when you leave the home. These small changes add up.

Redshift Wireless recognizes that electricity prices around the world are increasing, and in some areas of the world are being held at un-sustainably low levels. We see that there will be a significant opportunity in the market when prices start to go up. We also note that even where electricity prices are not increasing that the electricity networks are under increasing strain – a strain that can be reduced with demand management strategies Redshift Wireless can help to implement.

In those parts of the world where the electricity networks are under the greatest strain businesses often have to supplement their electricity with generators, which not only cost a lot to purchase, but consume large amounts of fuel and increase pollution and CO2. Redshift Wireless sees that being able to reduce load when generators are being used can provide a significant benefit.

This is who we are. We look at the world differently.