--- title: Energy Monitoring with Factry Historian slug: how-tos/exoCJpMhdFaR5613uw_Z6 docTags: 5cFvpRArURYfXBfco3gI_,TccgNX53apquCdQd0YBjd createdAt: 2026-03-11T12:29:01.724Z --- ## Introduction In this document, we describe how to set up an example dashboard for energy monitoring. We will do so using the [Faketory demo dataset](docId\:tJw2vWPK12gU3Z5AWHr4a). In the energy monitoring use case, we will build a basic dashboard showing the following metrics: - A KPI row on top, showing the total energy usage across the whole plant yesterday, today, and per line. - A breakdown of energy usage per hour for every input pump per production line. - A breakdown of energy usage per hour for every input pump per mixer, the heart of our production line. To make the dashboard a bit dynamic, we will also add a variable to select a specific line or all lines. You can see the end result of this dashboard on the [Factry demo environment](https://demo.factry.io/d/vl45ff8/01-basic-energy-usage?orgId=2). ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/L3QiN5ksk8XEQK24m06Rv-20260330-131605.png) ## Prerequisites Consult the prerequisites of [Energy Monitoring & Attribution](docId\:pL848sr9hmhzsMDUmhCZn). ## Configuring Grafana ### Create a new dashboard Start by creating a new dashboard in Grafana. ### Configuring the dashboard variables In the newly created dashboard, navigate to Settings > Variables. Click **+ New variable**. Then, configure the new variable as follows: - Variable type: Custom - General: - Name: `line` - Label: `Line` - Description: `Select the appropriate line from the dropdown menu`. - Hide: Nothing - Custom Options: - Values separated by comma: `Line 1 : Line_1,Line 2 : Line_2` This uses [key/value mapping](https://grafana.com/docs/grafana/latest/visualizations/dashboards/variables/add-template-variables/#add-a-custom-variable). - Selection options: - Select `Multi-value` and `Include All option`. Then, click **Save dashboard** and give your dashboard a fitting name e.g. `01. Basic Energy Monitoring`. ### Adding the KPI row In our KPI row, we want to display the total energy usage across the whole plant yesterday, today, and per line. The [stat panel](https://grafana.com/docs/grafana/latest/visualizations/panels-visualizations/visualizations/stat/) is ideal for displaying single values like KPIs. For each panel, click **Add > Visualization**. Then, select the Factry Historian datasource. **Total Power Usage (Yesterday)** In the Queries tab, open the Query options dropdown and enter the following: - Time shift: `1d/d`. This will select yesterday, and round on the full day. - Optionally, check `Hide time info`. In the same Queries tab, select the Measurements tab from the Factry Historian datasource. Then, configure the following: - Database: select the database that contains your faketory data. - Measurements: tick `Use regular expression` and then enter `energyUsage$`. This will retrieve all measurements from Factry Historian that end with energyUsage. - Aggregation: select `mean`, grouped by `24h`, and fill with `0`. - Under Advanced settings, uncheck `Use engineering specs`, as we will be setting them manually in this example. All other query settings can remain at their defaults. Finally, in the Transformations tab, click **+ Add transformation** and select the `Merge seres/tables` transformation. This will merge the datasets from all energyUsage measurements together. Now, slide open the Visualization selection on the right. Select the Stat panel type and configure the following: - Panel options: - Title: `Total Power Usage (Yesterday)` - Value options: - Show: select `Calculate` - Calculation: `Total` - Fields: `Numeric fields` - Standard options: - `Kilowatt-Hour (kWh)` - Color scheme: Single color Then, click **\<- Back to dashboard** and resize your Stat panel to sit neatly on top. **Total Power Usage (Today so far)** As this panel is very similar to the "**Total Power Usage (Yesterday)**" we just created, we will duplicate this panel. On the dashboard view, hover over the previously created panel, click the `⋮`button, and click **More > Duplicate**. A duplicate Stat panel is created. Click the `⋮`button and select **Edit**. Now change the following settings: In the Queries tab, open the Query options dropdown and enter the following: - Relative time: `now/d` (this will round the time to today) - Time shift: make sure this is empty - Optionally, check `Hide time info`. Slide open the Visualization selection on the right. Configure the following: - Panel options: - Title: `Total Power Usage (Today)` - Stat styles: - Check the `Show percent change` toggle. **Line 1 Power Usage (Today)** Duplicate the "**Total Power Usage (Today)**" panel we created earlier by hovering over it, clicking the `⋮`button, and clicking **More > Duplicate**. Then edit the panel and change the following: In the same Queries tab, select the Measurements tab from the Factry Historian datasource. Then, configure the following: - Database: select the database that contains your faketory data. - Measurements: tick `Use regular expression` and then enter `Line_1.*energyUsage$`. This will retrieve all measurements from Line 1 that end with energyUsage. - Aggregation: select `mean`, grouped by `24h`, and fill with `0`. Slide open the Visualization selection on the right. Configure the following: - Panel options: - Title: `Line 1 Power Usage (Today)` ** Line 2 Power Usage (Today)** This follows the same logic as Line 1 above. Substitute Line\_1 with Line\_2. We should now have our KPI row that looks like this. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/SgZ_ASyPTzsC3_7rIKCF_-20260311-135628.png) Now would be a good time to save your dashboard. ### Adding the Bulk Transport Pumps row On the dashboard view, click **Add > Row**. Click its gear icon and give it a Title `Bulk Transport Pumps`. Then, click **Add > Visualization**. Select the Factry Historian datasource. In the same Queries tab, select the Measurements tab from the Factry Historian datasource. Then, configure the following: - Database: select the database that contains your faketory data. - Measurements: tick `Use regular expression` and then enter `${line}.*/Bt.p/energyUsage`. This will retrieve all measurements from Factry Historian that contain the value of the line variable, any Bt.p pump (with . being any character), and end with energyUsage. - Aggregation: select `mean`, grouped by `1h`, and fill with `0`. - Under Advanced settings, check `Use engineering specs`, as we will use the engineering specifications set in Factry Historian. Slide open the Visualization selection on the right and select the [Bar chart](https://grafana.com/docs/grafana/latest/visualizations/panels-visualizations/visualizations/bar-chart/) type. Configure the following: - Panel options: - Title: `Bulk Transport Pumps for ${line}` - Repeat options: - Repeat by variable: `line` - Repeat direction: `Horizontal` - Max per row: `2` - Bar chart: - Rotate x-axis tick labels: `-45°` - Show values: `never` - Stacking: `Normal` - Bar width: `0.8` Then, click **\<- Back to dashboard** and place your Bar Chart panel under the "Bulk Transport Pumps" row. Try toggling the row to see if it's neatly nested underneath. Select Line 1, Line 2, or All from the dropdown meny. The Bar chart panels should repeat automatically, and the title should show e.g. Bulk Transport Pumps for Line 1. ### Adding the Mixer row For the mixer row, we follow the same logic as the "Bulk Transport Pumps" row, with the exception of the following query in the Query tab: Measurements: `${line}.*/M1/P.*energyUsage` ### End Result Your basic energy dashboard show now look like this. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/wmFfFNRqQIT-IS65u0PeN-20260311-141113.png)