Abstract
This study is set out to create a practical framework that can assist organisations in introducing
Energy Management and Monitoring Systems (EMMS) into older infrastructure, addressing a
recognised lack of practical, integrated EMMS implementation within the South African context.
A mixed-methods approach was used: the quantitative part came from a survey that received 32
responses from professionals involved in energy management and asset modernisation, and the
qualitative insights were drawn from six semi-structured interviews conducted with practitioners
directly involved in EMMS projects. The survey helped identify the prevalence and severity of
specific implementation challenges, while interviews added depth and contextual examples from
people who worked directly with EMMS and asset modernisation.
The results showed the biggest obstacles are still technical challenges, especially problems with
compatibility, communication between old and new systems, and the reliability of data, with more
than two-thirds of survey respondents identifying these as major barriers. Operational challenges
also came up often, particularly downtime, workflow disruptions, and cultural resistance that
appears when staff are unsure about new technologies, with a majority of respondents indicating
that organisational readiness remains a key concern. Training and proper change management were
highlighted as ways to address these issues. On the economic side, high upfront costs and hidden
expenses stood out, along with the need to include non-financial benefits like productivity and risk
reduction when evaluating EMMS projects. The case studies showed that when EMMS is rolled
out in a planned and structured way, organisations can achieve noticeable savings and relatively
short payback periods.
From these results, a framework with three main parts, namely technical, operational, and
economic, was developed. The framework can be used by individuals from different departments
within an organisation, such as managers and engineering managers. For managers and engineers,
the framework offers a practical guide to balancing technology, people, and financial planning,
ultimately creating a pathway for the modernisation of legacy systems through EMMS
implementation in South Africa.