UtiliTrack - Shaikhatim

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Siddharth Gupta Mylavarapu
Hari Prasath Ramalingam
Sahishnu Sagiraju

Acknowledgements

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Siddharth Gupta Mylavarapu, Hari Prasath Ramalingam, and Sahishnu Sagiraju for their dedication, hard work, and teamwork that were instrumental in the success of this project.

I also sincerely thank CBRE for presenting us with this valuable opportunity to be part of their challenge.

Additionally, we are grateful to Jaclyn Martinez and the entire HackUNT team for organizing such a fantastic event and creating an inspiring environment for innovation and collaboration.

Check out our devpost here.

HackUNT 2024: UtiliTrack by Hari Ramalingam

UtiliTrack: A Smart Solution for Energy Management in Family-Run Businesses

Finding a Smarter Way to Manage Utilities

Running a family-owned business comes with its own set of challenges—one of the most pressing being the management of utilities like gas, refrigerators, and other appliances, as well as maintaining optimal temperature control. From my personal experience, I know firsthand how difficult it is to keep tabs on energy usage while ensuring comfortable environments for both staff and customers.

I’ve seen the impact of poorly managed energy costs not just in dollars but also in the strain it puts on equipment, leading to frequent breakdowns and maintenance. The temperature of a room, the level of humidity, and the balance between external and internal conditions all play a significant role in how efficiently energy is used. That’s where UtiliTrack comes in—a solution built to empower business owners to take control of their energy use with real-time monitoring and adjustments.

The Spark of UtiliTrack

The idea for UtiliTrack was sparked by my problem with a family-run restaurant’s energy expenses. During peak summer months, his business faced losses ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 each month, primarily due to air conditioning costs. The financial burden was compounded by wear and tear on the equipment, leading to vent leaks and significant damage over time. This eye-opening scenario exposed a larger issue: infrastructure inefficiencies that plague many small and medium-sized businesses, resulting in an estimated $370 billion of annual energy waste in the U.S. alone.

Recognizing this challenge, we sought to develop a system that could offer a proactive, data-driven approach to energy management, helping businesses like mine—and my friend’s—operate more efficiently and cost-effectively.

What UtiliTrack Does Differently

UtiliTrack is designed to be more than just another energy monitoring tool. It acts as an intelligent hub that continuously tracks energy consumption patterns, identifies inefficiencies, and suggests optimal operating settings. Whether it’s managing the HVAC system to run only when necessary or adjusting room temperatures based on real-time sensor feedback, UtiliTrack enables automated, data-backed decisions that reduce costs and equipment wear.

The system takes into account both external and internal temperatures to maintain the most comfortable and efficient environment possible. For example, it uses humidity sensors to adjust cooling and heating, ensuring not just comfort but also energy conservation. This dynamic approach allows business owners to fine-tune their operations without compromising customer satisfaction or energy efficiency.

How We Built UtiliTrack

Building UtiliTrack was both a technical and personal journey. The system is equipped with real-time tracking sensors and machine learning algorithms that identify patterns of energy waste. We focused on creating a backend that integrates smoothly with existing infrastructure, making adoption easier for business owners.

The user interface, designed to be as intuitive as possible, ensures that even non-technical users can navigate it comfortably. Users can monitor their utility usage, receive alerts about inefficiencies, and make adjustments from a single dashboard. To enhance its intelligence over time, we built the system to adapt its recommendations based on historical data, making it smarter with each use.

Challenges Along the Way

The development of UtiliTrack wasn’t without its hurdles. Integrating the system into diverse infrastructures required significant customization. Real-time accuracy in energy data collection was another challenge—something we overcame through rigorous testing and calibration of our sensors.

Perhaps the most significant challenge was finding the right balance between automation and user control. We wanted to create a system that could operate independently but still allow users to have hands-on control when needed. This balance is crucial, especially for family-run businesses where the owners often have specific preferences about how things should operate.

Real-World Impact

Seeing UtiliTrack in action has been one of the most fulfilling parts of this journey. From small cafes to larger family-owned restaurants, businesses using UtiliTrack have reported significant reductions in energy costs, fewer equipment breakdowns, and a noticeable increase in operational efficiency. Knowing that UtiliTrack can save businesses thousands of dollars while also reducing their environmental footprint makes all the hard work worthwhile.

What We Learned

Working on UtiliTrack has been an eye-opening experience, offering insights into how much energy is wasted due to inefficiencies. We’ve gained a deep understanding of the role that real-time monitoring and predictive analytics can play in creating smarter, more sustainable businesses.

It’s also become clear that every business has unique needs. For some, the focus may be on optimizing refrigeration systems, while others might need more precise control over humidity levels. This diversity of requirements has taught us the importance of building flexible, adaptable solutions.

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