MONITORING & VERIFICATION

An energy saving is how much less energy is used after implementing an energy saving measure (ESM), compared to the energy that would have been used if the ESM had not been implemented.

Applying an accurate figure to a saving is often complicated by changes to several variables that may affect energy use, e.g. weather conditions, the number of occupants, units manufactured in a factory (output). Changes to any of these and/or other factors will mask any reduction in energy consumption unless we are able to take these into account and adjust for them.

Measurement and verification (M&V) has evolved as a sector in its own right, allowing an organisation to quantify the impact of an ESM accurately and to be able to do so independently of an equipment supplier. The analysis method should be agreed before a project commences and the methodology should be objective, in this way the project performance (savings and return on investment) can be assessed with confidence.

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