As energy costs continue to rise and sustainability becomes central to corporate strategy, effective energy management is no longer optional—it’s essential. Modern solutions now offer the ability to monitor, optimise, and automate energy use in real time, drastically improving operational reliability and cutting costs. At the forefront of this transformation is Malta’s Wireless Energy Monitoring (WEM) project
Led by Ing. Reuben Camilleri of IoT Solutions Ltd., in collaboration with Prof. Ing. Marc Anthony Azzopardi from the Department of Electronic Systems Engineering at the University of Malta, and supported by Xjenza Malta through the Fusion Technology Development Programme, the WEM project uses wireless, IoT-enabled technology to provide real-time energy data, predictive maintenance capabilities, and automated reporting.
At its core, the WEM system deploys smart sensors in electrical distribution boards and substations to collect detailed consumption data. This enables businesses to monitor energy use live, identify irregularities, and take immediate action. Real-time alerts for unexpected consumption or equipment faults help reduce waste, avoid system failures, and minimize downtime—key factors in cutting energy-related expenses. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that real-time energy management can reduce energy costs by up to 30% annually.
WEM also plays a crucial role in predictive and preventive maintenance. By continuously tracking equipment status, usage patterns, and environmental conditions such as temperature, the system helps detect early signs of wear or malfunction. This allows organizations to perform maintenance before issues escalate, reducing unplanned downtime and extending the life of critical assets. Research from McKinsey shows predictive maintenance can cut downtime by 30–50% and reduce maintenance costs by up to 40%.
Beyond monitoring and maintenance, WEM helps optimize equipment usage. By reporting on operational and idle times, businesses can adjust schedules, reduce unnecessary energy consumption, and improve efficiency. Automated preventive maintenance reminders ensure that servicing happens on time, preventing performance losses and supporting better resource planning.
The system also delivers detailed reporting and comparative analysis, allowing businesses to evaluate energy performance across different departments, facilities, or timeframes. This empowers decision-makers to identify trends, benchmark performance, and implement improvements. Companies like Target and Procter & Gamble have achieved double-digit energy savings through similar data-driven strategies.
An additional benefit of WEM is bill validation. By comparing real-time energy data to utility bills, the system can highlight discrepancies, helping organizations recover overcharges and improve budgeting accuracy. In one example from the U.S., a hospital saved over €100,000 by identifying billing errors through such validation.
Ultimately, the WEM project supports broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals by helping businesses lower emissions, reduce energy waste, and improve transparency. By combining academic research with industry application, the project illustrates how collaborative innovation can lead to practical, impactful outcomes.
