The measurement and verification (M&V) process helps you plan, measure and verify energy efficiency projects in your business to ensure they positively impact your business goals.
To help you understand the M&V process and how it can reduce your energy consumption and costs, we’ve created 2 example projects highlighting businesses that have used the process.
Both of these example projects used the Guide to Measure and Verify Energy Efficiency Projects in Australia (M&V Guide). We recommend using it when you undertake your M&V process.
Each example project consists of 4 parts:
- Part 1, Example project case study as per the M&V Guide: step-by-step activity for the M&V process.
- Part 2, M&V Plan: sets the business plans, methods and procedures to verify and report energy savings.
- Part 3, M&V Report: the final report that outlines the verification and findings of the M&V process outlined in the M&V plan.
- Part 4, Appendix: Calculating energy savings as per the ESS provisions: gives the best method to determine energy savings.
Example projects
Supermarket M&V project
If you’ve been down the aisles of any supermarket recently, it won’t come as a surprise to learn that they are significant energy users. This is because the freezers, fridges, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and lights are all running 24/7.
In this example project, a supermarket wanted to calculate its energy and cost savings after installing energy-efficient equipment in the store. Some of these included installing a voltage optimisation unit (VOU) on the site's power supply and fitting variable speed drives (VSDs) to the refrigeration units.
Using the M&V process, the supermarket saved $15,600 a year, verified 78MWh of energy savings, and reduced carbon emissions by 66 t CO2-e. This is equivalent to taking about 14 cars off the road a year, or planting about 2,640 trees.
See how the supermarket used the M&V process to get these results.
Food manufacturing M&V project
Food product manufacturing is an energy-intensive process, often with machines running constantly for baking, freezing or lighting. The facility in this example project uses electricity and gas to generate steam in hot water boilers and a dryer to dehydrate food.
This food manufacturer wanted to reduce its overall energy costs and specifically reduce gas consumption by installing gas dryer burners, sensors and controls with electricity-efficient equipment.
Using the M&V process, the food manufacturer was able to verify it saved $106,000 in one year, achieved 1,400 MWh of energy savings and reduced carbon emissions by 443 t CO2-e. This is equivalent to taking about 96 cars off the road a year, or planting about 17,720 trees.
See how the food manufacturer used the M&V process to get these results.
Start your own measurement & verification process
To get started on your own M&V process, read our M&V guide’s module 1 and module 2 for how to best conduct an M&V process to quantify your energy savings and reduce your carbon footprint.
Get involved
We are here to support you through your M&V journey. If you have any questions, email us at [email protected].