What to do and how to do it
The basic process for measuring and monitoring energy performance and checking against targets include:
- Record - measure and record energy consumption and the factors that influence it.
- Normalise - normalise energy data to take account of such influencing factors.
- Calculate – energy performance in terms of one or more activity-based energy performance indicators (EPIs – see Step 8)
- Target - establish targets for reducing energy consumption.
- Analyse - identify consumption trends and compare with historical data and/or relevant benchmarks.
- Monitor - check for irregular consumption patterns and compare consumption with set targets.
- Report - report the results to relevant decision-makers.
- Control - implement corrective or preventive measures to control consumption (see Step 18).
Possible problems and how to deal with them
Data
The quality of your system is only as good as the quality of your data. It is not simply a question of 'throwing data' at the system. The data must be relevant to the decision making required for managing energy on the site. Therefore try to ensure that the data is accurate and collect only data that you can act upon.
Reporting
Reports with excessive detail and technical jargon will not be relevant to management. Make sure that reports 'speak the language' of the reader and/or the target audience and contain the necessary information to allow for required decisions to be made, no more and no less.
Training
Often, training is not carried out, with the result that the system is under-utilised or at worse by-passed. For more sophisticated systems, it is essential that personnel are trained in the use of the energy management information system. It is also important to train a number of staff so that in the event of one system user being unavailable there will be others to take his/her place.
Sub-metering
A lack of sub-metering may result in a lack of control on large sites. Sufficient sub-metering should be installed to maximise the potential of any system.
Integration
For larger organisations, information systems within the organisation should be integrated to enable data to be shared between different departments. The integration of an energy management information system with other management decision making systems will help ensure that energy is taken into account and its control becomes part of the normal management of the organisation.
How long does it take to complete this step?
For smaller sites, recording and analysing meter readings (or invoices) in a simple spreadsheet should be a straightforward process. However, for larger sites, establishing a measuring and monitoring system can be time consuming, and may extend over a period of several months.
How do I know when I have completed this step?
You have completed this Step when:
- a measuring and monitoring system is established.
- energy consumption is monitored at an appropriate level and analysis carried out,
- a plan is in place to regularly monitor performance against targets including EPIs.
for more sophisticated systems, people adequately trained to manage the system.
What do I do next?
Having compiled your EPIs, use them to monitor your objectives and targets, if applicable, and track performance of energy performance over time by establishing a measuring and monitoring system.
Review EPIs regularly and implement prompt corrective or preventative action to optimise energy performance on a sustained basis.
