Energy monitoring and targeting (M&T) is an energy efficiency technique based on the standard management axiom stating that “you cannot manage what you cannot measure”. M&T techniques provide energy managers with feedback on operating practices, results of energy management projects, and guidance on the level of energy use that is expected in a certain period. Importantly, they also give early warning of unexpected excess consumption caused by equipment malfunctions, operator error, unwanted user behaviours, lack of effective maintenance and the like.
The foundation of M&T lies in determining the normal relationships of energy consumptions to relevant driving factors (HVAC equipment, production though puts, weather, occupancy available daylight, etc.) and the goal is to help business managers:
Identify and explain excessive energy use
Detect instances when consumption is unexpectedly higher or lower than would usually have been the case Visualize energy consumption trends (daily, weekly, seasonal, operational...) Determine future energy use and costs when planning changes in the business Diagnose specific areas of wasted energy Observe how changes to relevant driving factors impact energy efficiency Develop performance targets for energy management programs Manage energy consumption, rather than accept it as a fixed cost
The ultimate goal is to reduce energy costs through improved energy efficiency and energy management control. Other benefits generally include increased resource efficiency, improved production budgeting and reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
History
M&T is an established technique that was first launched as a national program in the UK in 1980, and has since then spread throughout Europe. These techniques are now also rapidly growing in America.
Goals and benefits
Throughout the numerous M&T projects implemented since the 1980s, a certain number of benefits have proved to be recurrent: Energy cost savings: generally 5% of the original energy expenses, according to The Carbon Trust. Carbon Trust has conducted a study over 1000 small businesses and has concluded that on average an organization could save 5%. Reduction in GHG emissions: lower energy consumption helps reduce emissions Financing: measured energy reductions help obtain grants for energy efficiency projects Improved product and service costing: sub-metering allows the division of the energy bill between the different processes of an industry, and can be calculated as a production cost Improved budgeting: M&T techniques can help forecast energy expenses in the case of changes in the business, for example Waste avoidance: helps diagnose energy waste in any process.
Technique
Key principles
Monitoring and Targeting techniques rely on three main principles, which form a constant feedback cycle, therefore improving control of energy use.
Monitoring
Monitoring information of energy use, in order to establish a basis for energy management and explain deviations from an established pattern. Its primary goal is to maintain said pattern, by providing all the necessary data on energy consumption, as well as certain driving factors, as identified during preliminary investigation (production, weather, etc.)
Reporting
The final principle is the one which enables ongoing control of energy use, achievement of targets and verification of savings: reports must be issued to the appropriate managers. This in turn allows decision-making and actions to be taken in order to achieve the targets, as well as confirmation or denial that the targets have been reached.
Procedures
Before the M&T measures themselves are implemented, a few preparatory steps are necessary. First of all, key energy consumers on the site must be identified. Generally, most of the energy consumption is concentrated in a small number of processes, like heating, or certain machinery. This normally requires a certain survey of the building and the equipment to estimate their energy consumption level.
It is also necessary to assess what other measurements will be required to analyze the consumption appropriately. This data will be used to chart against the energy consumption: these are underlying factors which influence the consumption, often production (for industry processes) or exterior temperature (for heating processes), but may include many other variables.
Once all variables to be measured have been established, and the necessary meters installed, it is possible to initiate the M&T procedures.