CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

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WEEK 4

MEASUREMENT & VERIFICATION

COLLABORATIVE INTEGRATED SKILLS
PROJECT PREP

WEEK 4: LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Compare the three basic M&V methods

Choose which M&V method is best suited for particular situations

and understand the associated costs

Understand how to comply with local and national reporting and

operating standards

Demonstrate an understanding of metering, measurement, and

performance data

WEEK 4: READINGS
Required Readings:
1.
2.
3.

The Energy Management Handbook: Chapter 27: Measurement &

Verification of Energy Systems
M&V Guidelines: Measurement and Verification for Federal Energy
Projects: U.S. Department of Energy
The International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol

WHAT IS MEASUREMENT & VERIFICATION?

The process of using measurement to reliably

determine actual savings created within an individual
facility by an energy management program.
- International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol
(IPMVP)

M & V: PURPOSES
Purposes of M&V
Increase energy savings
Document spending

Enhance financing
Improve engineering, design, facility operations, and
maintenance

Manage budgets
Support evaluation of regional efficiency programs
Increase public understanding of energy management

Source: Patrick Crittenden, University of Technology, Sydney.

M & V: PRINCIPLES
Fundamental principles of good M&V practice:
Accurate
Complete

Conservative
Consistent
Relevant

Transparent

Photo: Simon A Eugster, via Wikimedia Commons.

M & V: DESIGN & REPORTING PROCESS

(Note: Steps 7-9 will be repeated every time a savings report is needed.)
1. Consider the needs of the user
2. Select the IPMVP option that is most consistent with
a. The scope of ECMs
b. The need for accuracy and
c. The M&V budget
3. Gather relevant data from the baseline period and record it in a
way that can be accessed in the future
4. Prepare an M&V Plan

Source: IPMVP

M & V: DESIGN & REPORTING PROCESS

5. Design, install, calibrate, and commission special measurement
equipment
6. Inspect installed equipment and revised operating procedures
to ensure that they conform to design intent
7. Gather data from the reporting period in accordance with M&V
plan
8. Compute savings
9. Report savings
(Optional) Obtain third-party verification that:
Plan adheres to IPMVP and/or performance contracts
Savings reports comply with the approved M&V Plan

Source: IPMVP

IPMVP: M & V METHODS

According to the International Performance Measurement & Verification
Protocol (IPMVP), there are four major approaches to M & V for energy
performance:
1. Retrofit Isolation: Key Parameter Measurement. Savings are determined by
field measurement of the key performance parameter(s) which define the
energy use of the ECMs affected system(s) and/or the success of the project.
2. Retrofit Isolation: All Parameter Measurement. Savings are determined by
field measurement of the energy use of the ECM-affected system.
3. Whole Facility. Savings are determined by measuring energy use at the whole
facility or sub-facility level. Continuous measurements of the entire facilitys
energy use are taken throughout the reporting period.
4. Calibrated Simulation. Savings are determined through simulation of the
energy use of the whole facility or of a sub-facility. Simulation routines are
demonstrated to model actual energy performance measured in the facility
adequately.
(Descriptions from IPMVP.)

Source: IPMVP

IPMVP: RETROFIT ISOLATION:

KEY PARAMETERS
Scope of Study: Savings are determined by field measurement of the key
performance parameters which define the energy use of the affected systems
and/or success of the project.
Frequency of Measurement: Measurement frequency ranges from short-term to
continuous, depending on the expected variations in the measured parameter and
length of the reporting period.
Typical application: A lighting retrofit where power draw is the key
performance parameter that is measured periodically; estimate operating hours
of the lights based on building schedules and occupant behavior.
How Savings are Calculated: Baseline and reporting period energy uses are
calculated from short-term or continuous measurements of key operating
parameters. Parameters not selected for field measurement are estimated.
Estimates can based on historical data, manufacturers specifications, or
engineering judgment.. Routine and non-routine adjustments must be made as
required.

Source: IPMVP.

IPMVP: RETROFIT ISOLATION:

ALL PARAMETERS
Scope of Study: Savings are determined by field measurement of the energy use
of the ECM-affected system.
Frequency of Measurement: Measurement frequency ranges from short-term to
continuous, depending on the expected variations in the savings and the length of
the reporting period.
Typical application: Application of a variable speed drive to a motor. In the
baseline period this meter is used for a week to verify constant loading. In the
reporting period, the meter is in place throughout the study to track variations.
How Savings are Calculated: Analyzing Short-term or continuous
measurements of baseline and reporting period computations using
measurements or proxies of energy use. Routine and non-routine adjustments as
required.

(Source: IPMVP)

IPMVP:
WHOLE FACILITY
Scope of Study: Savings are determined by measuring energy use at the whole
facility or sub-facility level.
Frequency of Measurement: Continuous measurements of the entire facilitys
energy use are taken throughout the reporting period.
Typical Application: A multifaceted energy management program affecting many
systems in a facility. Energy use is measured with the gas and electric utility
meters for a 12 month baseline period and throughout the reporting period.
How Savings are Calculated: Analyzing the entire facilitys baseline and reporting
period usage data. Routine and non-routine adjustments must be made, as
required.

(Source: IPMVP)

IPMVP: CALIBRATED SIMULATION

Scope of Study: Savings are determined through simulation of the energy use by
the whole facility, or a sub-facility.
Frequency of Measurement: Simulated routines are demonstrated to adequately
model actual energy performance measured in the facility. Intervals may vary by
project.
Typical Applications: Study of a multifaceted energy management program that
affects many systems in a facility, but where no meter existed in the baseline
period.
How Savings are Calculated: Simulation is calibrated with hourly or monthly
utility billing data, where possible; differences are measured.

Source: IPMVP

DETERMINING WHICH M&V METHOD TO USE

A. Retrofit Isolation: Key Parameters
B. Retrofit Isolation: All Parameters
C. Whole Facility
D. Calibrated Simulation

Source: IPMVP

WEEK 4: IN-CLASS EXERCISES

1. When did the measurement and verification (M&V) of utility usage
begin? What were the key reasons for its initial implementation?
2. Describe the role of M & V in the viability of performance contracts
and/or other financing mechanisms.

3. Consider the three major methods of M & V that are covered by the
International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol
(IPMVP): Retrofit Isolation, Whole Building, and Calibrated
Simulation.
a) What are the major differences between the methods?
b) What are the two types of Retrofit Isolation studies? Why are they
different?
c) Discuss some basic considerations that might cause parties to choose
one method over another for a particular study objective.

WEEK 4: HOMEWORK: COLLABORATIVE

INTEGRATED SKILLS PROJECT
Your Integrated Skills Project Presentation will provide an opportunity to broadly
demonstrate what youve learned in your AEP studies.
A building from the AEP Portfolio may be used, or you may choose another
development subject. Please note that if you choose a building that is not an AEP
Portfolio property, then you will need to develop an equivalent depth of data and
documentation for your subject. Once you have selected a property to work with:
Develop an energy management (EM) program for your property, and create a pitch for
your proposal. You may use one of the EM programs covered in the AEP course
materials, or you may develop a hybrid model that addresses the key elements of
effective EM. Credit will be awarded for thoroughness and creativity in such key
elements as: (1) developing an initial plan; (2) setting targets; (3) proposing how you
will measure performance/results; and (4) explaining how your findings will be used
to make improvements.
Presentations on EM proposals will incorporate analysis of each of the following topics
that were covered during the AEP sequence: (1) building technologies and energyefficient retrofits; (2) real estate strategy (e.g., project impacts on market and financial
performance); (3) financial analysis (e.g., cash flows & returns on investment); (4)
stakeholder analysis; (5) operations & maintenance; and (5) performance assurance

WEEK 4: HOMEWORK: COLLABORATIVE

INTEGRATED SKILLS PROJECT
Deliverables will include a PowerPoint presentation, sufficient supporting
documents, and a written report; the pitch will be made live via WebEx.
Your team presentation will be approximately 10-12 minutes long; your PowerPoint
presentation must include at least 10 slides; more than 20 are not recommended.
Your written report, which will pull together the covered material, will be
approximately 6-8 pages in length, double-spaced, in 11 or 12 point font. Data
sources (including portfolio material and in-class readings) must be referenced in
your endnotes.
To complete the document submission, prior to presentation, upload a Folder via the
Pathwright module according to these instructions:
Include the following in your folder:
PowerPoint presentation
MS Word document of your written report
Electronic files (scanned, if necessary) of any supporting documentation that:
You've referenced in the slides or the written report; or
That you intend to refer to in your live presentations.