Will Interval Data + Advanced M&V Analytics + Free Software = Change?

Advancements in building metering and analytic technologies have reduced the cost and improved the quality of conducting measurement and verification (M&V) of energy savings from building energy efficiency projects. These advancements can have a positive impact on program administration costs and investor confidence in savings investments. New analytic methods based on more time granular (e.g. 15-minute, hourly, or daily, not monthly) can accurately predict what baseline use would have been in buildings after installation of energy efficiency measures: savings are the difference between predictions and actual energy use. Quantifying savings with this approach has several advantages over standard engineering calculations: uncertainty in savings estimates can be quantified, the method is based on industry standards, and the analysis is based on only a few data sources. However, the energy modeling and accompanying uncertainty analysis critical to rigorous M&V remains largely an academic exercise or available only from highly skilled service providers. This paper presents free M&V software that uses 15-minute, hourly, or daily measurements of energy use (rather than monthly utility bills) to establish energy use baseline models, quantify savings, and track energy performance with accuracy and transparency. It reduces data preparation barriers, incorporates advanced modeling algorithms that greatly improves prediction accuracy, and calculates savings uncertainty. Case studies of its application in whole building and retrofit isolation approaches in commercial and residential building projects are presented. Discussions are promoted about its use as a quality assurance or savings settlement tool, impact on program administration costs, and effect on investor confidence.