Victoria
New South Wales
South Australia
QueenslandSales-based energy estimates often fail to account for real-world variables, leaving businesses unsure of their true ROI. M&V bridges the gap between predicted and actual savings, providing the data needed to verify performance, validate ROI, and maximise financial returns. This Feature explains the value of M&V in your energy energy upgrade projects.
What is M&V?
Measurement and Verification (M&V) involves planning, collecting, and analysing energy data to quantify savings. By comparing usage before and after implementing Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs), M&V uses International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) protocols to eliminate performance ambiguity. This ensures accurate ESG reporting, secures financial incentives, and maintains market integrity.
Energy consumption pre- and post-EEM installation
You wouldn’t run a business without reconciling your accounts; you shouldn’t run an energy efficiency project without reconciling the savings. Think of Ecovantage’s Performance Measurements & Verifications Analysts (PMVAs) as the specialist accountants who collect and analyse the data to verify your project.
Preparing for an M&V Project.
M&V is typically complex and requires a working partnership between the client and the M&V Professional. If you are considering implementing an EEM project and wish to engage in M&V, best practice is to get your M&V specialist involved as early as possible. This ensures that all scheme participation requirements are met so you can access the incentives that will reduce the project’s ROI.
Once a project is determined viable, the information required by Ecovantage to undertake the M&V project typically includes:
-
- Minimum 12 months of baseline energy data (either utility bills or interval data)
- Estimated energy savings
- Scope of Works outlining the energy efficiency measure
- Site-specific variables (e.g. production throughput, occupancy / foot traffic, manufacturing equipment runtime, ambient conditions, etc.)
- ESLDs or Gas Riser Diagram, if applicable
Featured M&V Case Study.
Dual-Solar Measurement.
Ecovantage worked with a secondary school in greater Melbourne to undertake an M&V project across two campuses on a 663 kW solar PV installation.
Following a 12 month operating period of measurement, almost $250,000 in VEECs were created, covering approx. 24% of the total project cost.
Read more
M&V Methods.
|
Scheme |
Method |
When to Use |
| ACCU (Federal) |
Industrial Commercial Energy Reduction (ICER) | EEMs that result in >10% baseline savings, minimum savings 800 MWh p/a, Electricity, Gas, Biogas, Diesel, Biomass, or LPG savings, if fuel-switching is involved |
| ESS (NSW) & REPS (SA) |
Project Impact Assessment with Measurement and Verification (PIAM&V) | EEMs that result in >10% baselines savings, Minimum savings 150 MWh p/a, Electricity, Gas, Biogas, Diesel, or LPG savings, If fuel switching is involved |
| VEU (VIC) |
Standard Measurement & Verification (M&V) | EEMs that result in >10% baseline savings, electricity or gas and fuel-switching |
| VEU (VIC) |
SMM #1 & 2 – Weather normalised whole of site measurement | Electricity or Gas savings, non fuel-switching, weather dependent energy use, no solar PV in the project |
| VEU (VIC) |
SMM #3 – Rotating Equipment | Electricity savings and doesn’t involve non-seasonal motors and rotating equipment |
| VEU (VIC) |
SMM #4 – Direct Solar Measurement | Solar PV only projects (recommend > 200 kW), including BESS projects |
| VEU (VIC) |
SMM #5 – Electrification | Heat pump projects that replace gas boilers |
The Value in M&V
With the technical part out of the way, what is the value that M&V brings to your business?
Financial Certainty.
Verified energy savings and your detailed report of outcomes provide the proof your CFO wants to see. The EEMs initially claimed a three year payback period? Know with certainty whether it’s really two, three, even five years.
Operational Insights.
Through the data collection process our specialists often pick up on incorrectly commissioned, redundant and no longer fit-for-purpose hardware. Further EEMs can be identified, and inputs such as operational hours, facility zoning and time-of-year variables can lead to non-hardware related insights to improve efficiency.
Maximising Incentives.
M&V methods are often the gateway to unlocking higher value incentives, such as certificates like VEECs, ESCs, GJs or ACCUs. Where deemed certificate schemes are simpler and assign a nominal value, the rigorous analysis and certainty from M&V allows for higher volumes of certificate creation. As an Accredited Person, Ecovantage’s team of Certificate Specialists work alongside our PMVAs to identify the best options to mitigate capital outlay, and create recurring revenue from energy generation projects.
Featured M&V Case Study.
LED Lighting Retrofit Upgrade.
Ecovantage was engaged to conduct a PIAM&V project to verify energy savings for a lighting upgrade of 80 x LED floodlights. Identifying IPMVP Option B Retrofit Isolation and the most suitable approach, following thorough M&V modelling process over $70,000 in ESCs were created for the client.
Read more
Engaging Specialists.
M&V isn’t a simple web calculator, or product lookup. It’s an internationally recognised protocol requiring certified engineers who understand the energy efficiency and variables unique to each business, identify and apply correct methodology. Choosing the right specialist is critical; they may hold different levels of certifications, and not all are qualified across Australia’s various energy schemes.
It’s important to note that not all M&V projects get completed or realise monetisation for the client. Ecovantage is proud to have a team of certified PMVA Engineers with experience in all National and State M&V methods, and a 100% delivery and monetisation rate of M&V projects for our clients – significantly surpassing the market average of 30-40%.
As a full-service energy consulting and auditing specialist, Ecovantage offers a closed-loop system of accountability for energy projects. From Energy Audits to identify EEMs, through to M&V to quantify the outcomes, we partner with you on your evolving energy needs.
Reviewing a proposal for a major upgrade? Ensure a robust M&V plan is included from day one. Speak with our specialists today.
Arlen East | Energy & Carbon Technical Manager
Arlen is a certified energy manager specialising in state and Federal-based energy efficiency schemes, helping clients unlock funding in a range of energy efficiency projects through Measurement & Verification.
