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Analyzing data to determine
energy use trends can help an organization gain a better understanding
of the factors that affect energy performance and identify steps for
reducing energy consumption.
There are
a variety of ways data can be analyzed depending upon the needs of the
organization. The following analyses provide a starting point:
Quantitative Reviews
-
Develop use
profiles - Identify energy consumption peaks and valleys,
and determine how they relate to operations or key events.
-
Compare
performance - Compare the use and performance data of
similar facilities in your industry.
-
Assess the
financial impacts - Identify areas of high-cost energy use.
-
Identify data
gaps - Determine areas where more information is needed.
Qualitative Reviews
-
Conduct
interviews - Seek informed opinions from colleagues,
specific anecdotes and lessons learned, systems-specific information
(e.g., HVAC, lighting, refrigeration), and in-house audits or
surveys.
-
Review policies
and procedures - Review organizational policies and
operating procedures to determine their impact on energy use.
In
Practice
University of Virginia - Rooting Out the Energy Hogs
Metering and benchmarking energy for plants, facilities, space types,
and systems are at the heart of the University of Virginia's (UVA)
energy management program. With over 577 buildings ranging in age,
design, and function, maintaining good data is key for understanding
performance and identifying areas for improvement.
By
analyzing meter and utility use information, UVA's energy management
program identifies "energy hogs" that are targeted as energy efficiency
opportunities. Energy hogs are flagged by UVA's tracking/trending
program whenever it detects high total utility use, high relative
utility use (by facility type), or unusual utility use, such as chilled
water use during winter months for an office building.. These types of
issues are identified by an "exception report" and may indicate design
or operational problems that warrant further investigation.
Through
its careful analysis of energy use information, UVA's energy management
program was able to control and reduce energy use, saving $5 million in
2002.
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