Improvements in energy monitoring

A system for distributing and monitoring usage of energy comprising:

• at least one power distribution unit connectable to an energy source and to one or more energy-consuming devices, and adapted to monitor energy distribution from the energy source through the or each power distribution unit;
• at least one server in communication with the at least one power distribution network via a data network, the server being adapted to receive through the data network data on energy distributed by the or each power distribution unit to the energy-consuming devices,
• wherein:
• the at least one server maintains databases of authorized users and nominated groupings of authorized users of the system and is adapted to enable distribution of energy through commands sent to the or each power distribution unit over the data network;
• said commands are sent on authentication of an authorized user by the at least one server in response to detection of an identifying device associated with the authorized user by the power distribution unit and communication of the detection to the at least one server;
• and
• the at least one server is adapted to use received data from the or each power distribution unit to determine and record energy usage by individual authorized users or groupings of users.