Energy Efficiency Made Simple Vol IV

ity consumption, fuel or water consumption, or any other energy

sources data, like steam or even renewables. The variable data that

could be required are weather factors, looking at Heating and Cooling

Degree Days (HDD or CDD), operating hours of the facility, production,

systems for heating and cooling, equipment malfunctions, etc.

Of great importance is the agreement between stakeholders of

the baseline adjustments (and how these will be measured before

implementation and inferred after implementation) as this forms

the fundamental relationship for savings verification of the baseline

performance.

This is the most difficult aspect of savings verification to quantify

and becomes a contentious issue, which is why it is important to use

the services of an experienced M&V consultant. It is not an aspect

that can be taught by the book, and includes continuous observation

and practice to understand the unknown factors. Correct baseline

adjustments level the playing field when determining post-installation

performance in relation to the adjusted baseline energy performance –

getting this correct adds tremendously to the credibility of the savings

expressed at the end of the M&V process.

However, the extent to which baseline adjustments need to be

considered depends on the M&V Option chosen. Taken from the

Energy Training Foundation’s training syllabus [4] the following are

examples of baseline adjustments:

• Changes in weather or occupancy

Adjustments might include recalculating the baseline consumption

rates using post-installation period weather data or occupancy data

based on a mathematical expression of how energy consumption

depends on factors such as HDD, CDD and occupancy. The impact

of HDD and CDD can be significant and is a topic for separate

discussion

• Changes in operating schedules or tenant improvements

The real impact of the retrofit project will be affected by a decrease

or increase in operating hours of the facility or the system. There-

fore, the baseline consumption needs to be scaled up or down to

correspond to such changes, if any. A tenant might also implement

its own improvements that may alter energy consumption in the

post-installation period such as new lights, or additional plug loads,

which are unrelated to the M&V scope determined and must be

separated from the post-installation period performance

• Changes in the actual function of the facility

Changes in the use of the facility, for example, converting office

space to a store room, affect the baseline performance and an

adjustment is required

Establishing a framework for M&V success

Following a step-by-step approach as determined by IPMVP will

ensure a continuous plan-do-check-act-type of system as with any

implemented management system.

Preparing the organisation

Starting with energy awareness amongst the organisation’s staff, from

top to bottom, is all-important as they are the key players using the

facility to be M&V’ed and influence the energy use. We recommend

combining the M&V programme with an energy management system

that aligns all the stakeholders and their roles and responsibilities within

the requirements of assurance of energy savings determinations.

Select implementation method and process

All stakeholders involved in the M&V programme need to agree on

the defined method and process to be used and followed, thereby

also identifying M&V roles and responsibilities, timeframes and con-

tractual agreements.

Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs)

identification, selection and assessment

A detailed energy audit will identify opportunities for energy conserva-

tion as well as Energy Management Opportunities (EMOs).

Design energy savings programme

After the audit, a detailed energy savings plan can be designed incor-

porating the aspect of M&V – aligning the M&V programme imple-

mentation with that of an ISO energy management system provides

an even better framework for a successful M&V programme.

M&V planning preparation

Before implementing any energy savings project, the following

sub-steps must be followed to ensure alignment with the M&V

requirements:

• The IPMVP option must be selected

• The base year of performance must be defined i.e. which is the

year that will be used as the basis against which energy perfor-

mance will be measured post-implementation

• Define the post-implementation period for the ECM, which is the

period that will be compared with the base year period so that the

project impact can be measured

• Develop the M&V performance model in line with the IPMVP,

which includes the selection of data analysis techniques, algo-

rithms, equations and establishing assumptions, etc

• Testing the M&V performance model to check what changes and

adaptations are appropriate. The impact of the expected accuracy

and uncertainties are quantified and their impact on the cost-ef-

fectiveness of the programme

Metering

Metering considerations must be defined and specified in accordance

with the IPMVP option chosen and include aspects such as metering

points, frequency and duration of metering, type of meter and its

required precision and calibration requirements, etc.

M&V’s continuous management

For quality assurance, the M&V’s continuous management of its

programme needs to be defined; the roles and responsibilities and

reporting systems must be in place.

Documentation

During the M&V programme and its framework development attention

need to be paid to documenting all the relevant decisions in the plan-

ning and management system – this forms the basis for all M&V activ-

ities. Implementing an ISO energy management system concurrently

sets out a structure for the required documentation automatically.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY MADE SIMPLE 2015