Measurement & Verification (M&V)

Measurement & Verification (M&V) is the process of planning, measuring, collecting and analysing data for the purpose of verifying and reporting energy savings resulting from the implementation of Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs).

M&V involves statistical modelling based on a set of agreed independent variables. Independent variables are the energy driving factors that routinely vary and significantly affect energy usage. They are broken down into three categories of operational, weather and measurement.

Energy or demand savings can’t be directly measured, because savings represent the absence of energy consumption or demand. Savings are determined by comparing measured consumption or demand before and after the implementation of a program, making suitable adjustments for changes in conditions . As such, the standard equation for Measurement and Verification is:

Savings = (Baseline Period Energy – Reporting Period Energy) ± Adjustments

Carbon Footprint vs Carbon Reduction vs Benchmarking

An organisations Carbon Footprint is an important measurement and should be measured, but it only paints half the picture. A Carbon Footprint is an absolute number, it can often favour declining and smaller organisations. By measuring both the carbon footprint and the carbon reduction associated with efficiency changes you are able to give the complete picture.

Benchmarking across industry is also used to give the complete picture, although by default it is a generalisation, not a specific measurement of an organisation.

International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol

Carbon markets recognise and incorporate the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP®) framework. It:

was developed to help increase investment in energy efficiency, demand management and renewable energy projects around the world
defines standard terms and suggests best practise for quantifying the results of energy efficiency project.
provides methods, with different levels of cost and accuracy, for determining savings either for the whole facility or for individual ECMs
specifies the contents of an M&V Plan, which must be developed for each project by a qualified professional, adhering to widely accepted fundamental principles of M&V and should produce verifiable savings reports
is widely adopted by national and regional government agencies and by industry organizations to help manage their programs and enhance the credibility of their reported results
was created to keep projects accountable to the results promised in their business cases through Energy Performance Contracts

Accreditation & Certifications

Carbon Compliance is an Accredited Person under the Victoria Energy Upgrade (VEU) program and an account holder under the Australian Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF).

Our Principal Consultant, James McLean, is both a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP) and a Performance Measurement and Verification Analyst (PMVA).

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