Success in decarbonization requires building solutions that work well for smaller manufacturers and manufacturers in all global contexts.

As a public benefit corporation, Guidewheel provides a plug-and-play, affordable energy and factory operations platform, originally built across Stanford University (USA) and Nairobi, Kenya, and now growing globally quickly. The platform is structured to work within the constraints of industrial sites in more challenging global locations and supports small and medium-sized enterprises along with larger manufacturers.

By including its entire cost, including hardware, in a subscription that can pay for itself within operating expenditure (OpEx) budgets, the technology has been made accessible to smaller factories that can quickly achieve OpEx savings through active use of the platform. The platform uses sensors that work for older machines or machines without existing information technology (IT) and operational technology. The clip-on sensors measure the electrical draw of the equipment to track and monitor energy use in real time. The platform can also leverage the Long-Term Evolution standard if broader internet connectivity is unavailable.

Guidewheel collaborated with the printing plant of Nation Media Group, the biggest independent media house in East and Central Africa, located in Kenya. Alongside other sustainability efforts for solar energy and waste management, the company wanted to gain real-time visibility on energy across the plant, machines and utilities to realize further energy-saving potential.

By focusing on reducing both its peak demand and energy waste from idling machines, the Group is achieving more than $30,000 in annual energy savings, equivalent to 42 tonnes of CO2 per year.