Continuing from our previous blog, this discussion looks at Measurement and Verification (M&V) plans.  Energy and water use remain a controllable cost and energy or water users can make significant savings through a systematic approach to the management of energy or water.  One of the steps to energy or water management is to report and measure progress, which includes M&V.

M&V is the process of using measurements to reliably determine actual saving created within a facility or building.  Some of the key points of M&V is outlined in the International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP).  The IPMVP is prepared by the Efficiency Valuation Organisation (EVO) and has become the internationally recognised protocol for performance M&V, for energy and water savings.  Central to proper savings determination and the basis for verification is a comprehensive M&V plan as outlined in chapter 5 of the IPMVP.  This discussion provides examples of energy savings, but the M&V principles also apply to water savings.

The figure below illustrates the time periods and basic terminology used in the IPMVP.  The basic savings equation as outlined in the IPMVP is Baseline Period Energy – Reporting Period Energy +/- Adjustments.  The Baseline Period Energy is the consumption before an improvement or energy conservation measure (ECM) is made.  The Reporting Period Energy is the measured energy consumed after the ECM.  The Adjusted-Baseline Energy may use a regression model to estimate how much energy would have been used if there had been no ECM.  Examples of adjustments may be for weather, building occupancy or production, etc.

You may notice we analyse measured energy use to determine savings.  We do not ‘measure’ savings.  The saving is the difference between the adjusted-baseline energy and the energy that was measured during the reporting period.

Summarising, M&V is the process of using measurements to reliably determine actual savings and simply provides proof of the effectiveness of energy management.  Central to proper savings determination and the basis for verification is a comprehensive M&V plan as outlined in the IPMVP.  Before undertaking any energy or water saving improvement activity there is a need to design the M&V process, gather baseline information and document all in a comprehensive M&V plan.  After the improvement is completed there is a need to verify the measuring equipment, gather the reporting data and determine the savings as defined in the M&V plan.

For further reading and references:

• Fundamentals of Measurement & Verification Educational Programs. The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), USA. Website: www.aeecenter.org 
• International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (2012): https://evo-world.org/en/products-services-mainmenu-en/protocols/ipmvp
• Concepts and Options for Determining Energy and Water Savings Volume 1. Prepared by Efficiency Valuation Organisation. Website: www.evo-world.org

Please contact Susmet to assess your Measurement and Verification program.

Disclaimer:

This blog is part of a continuing series discussing sustainability and energy management issues. Contributions featuring achievements, techniques, products, and processes are welcome. Please feel free to contact Susmet to suggest ideas on future issues.

Whilst every effort is made to see that no inaccurate or misleading data, opinion or statement appears in this blog, Susmet accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the consequences of any such inaccurate or misleading data, opinion, or statement.