Energy Monitoring and Targeting

Monitoring and Targeting is an established technique, which forms the backbone of any strong energy management strategy. In it’s simplest terms Monitoring and Targeting is a process where consumption data is obtained and analysed in order to report upon and measure performance. The core aim of this process is to identify areas where improvements can be made and implement approaches to reduce costs and consumption.

Monitoring and Targeting comprises of 5 key areas:

• The measurement of energy being consumed
• The calculation of energy performance
• The comparison of performance with expected or targeted levels
• Clear and concise reporting of the results to those people most able to implement appropriate action
• Active management of energy performance in response to the results of the M&T process
  

The benefits of such a strategy are far reaching extending beyond financial savings to include increased efficiency and environmental performance, along with improved budgeting capabilities and ease of adherence to recognised standards such as ISO14000.

The acquisition of consumption data is the first key stage in any Monitoring and Targeting operation. However, on it’s own, this data is of little value – it is only when it is related to a set of user-defined measures that it begins to create a meaningful picture of performance and allow for assessment and interpretation. In order to achieve this it is necessary to understand the elements, which can influence the data, such as site conditions, production and usage, which allows like for like comparisons to be made. BIU has an in-house software system, which has been specifically designed to store, analyse and report on consumption data allowing for detailed performance reporting (M&T).

Data may be collected monthly weekly daily or hourly, however this decision should be made, based on a cost benefit sensitivity analysis model. In cases where key individuals may react to the data and have a commercially viable response, it is prudent to provide greater real time access to consumption data.

Data collection  methods can vary from manual reads which are prone to inaccuracy through to hand held radio frequency devises optical readers and beyond. Automated Meter Reading sometimes known as Smart metering has recently become financially viable sometimes having a zero budget impact in its installation year even before any energy is saved. This communications devise can send data via GPRS or GSM technology to a recognised data collector or direct to a customer as is required.

Energy Performance is calculated and can then be compared against targeted performance. The relative weighted size of the variance between these two figures creates the basis of an action plan, focusing attention where it will have greatest effect. Investigation of the cause and action to implement appropriate solutions creates real consumption, carbon and cost reductions. It is therefore essential that information gathered from Monitoring and Targeting is communicated to those individuals who are able to best act on it, such as on site Energy Managers or energy champions.

Clear, accurate reporting is an essential component of the Monitoring and Targeting process providing this vital communication in a precise informative way. The report should aim to combine an overview of performance with a more detailed analysis highlighting variances and exceptions. The frequency of this reporting will be driven by the frequency of the data collection and analysis and of the needs of the individuals responsible for energy performance.

Within each report the key information should comprise:

• Consumption over the period
• The target for the current period
• The variance from the target (positive or negative)
• Implemented and identified savings both in terms of expenditure and consumption.

Monitoring and Targeting should be an essential feature of an energy management campaign, however, it will not in its own right, be enough to guarantee notable reductions in energy consumption. It should be considered one of the initial building blocks upon which two further programmes of action sit:

Influencing people through cultural change. In our present day environmentally aware climate, companies are now finding the effect of influencing people is having real material results. Informed energy champions are able to maintain an awareness of the relative energy used on a given site, which allows users to remain conscious of their waste.

Technology

The actions suggested by the Monitoring and Targeting operation need to be implemented. Often this is achieved by the installation or modification of energy consuming systems, to make them either more efficient or simply switch them off when not in use. Organisations therefore require the capability to implement and manage considered energy saving projects and or initiatives. Monitoring and Targeting then becomes the method used to ascertain the effectiveness of monies spent, which again allows valuable resource’s to be used where they have greatest effect.

BIU are experts in the field of Monitoring and Targeting and our range of bespoke reports provide detailed performance data analysis including:

• Daily / Monthly Consumption Profile Analysis
• Variance and League Table reports
• Individual site performance reports
• Savings reporting
• Budgeting
• Half hourly data reports
• Project based reporting
• Metering reports
• Specific audit