Effective monitoring of energy use and targeting improved energy efficiency are the cornerstones of any successful energy management programme. Many EMANZ members would consider that monitoring and targeting (M&T) is the most important tool that our profession can use. This is where our knowledge, understanding and analytical skills allow us to really add value to our organisation or clients. M&T is an important component in the portfolio of any Energy Manager or management consultant.

This toolbox does not outline the principles of M&T in any detail but does provide information on some of the many resources available which will allow EMANZ members to increase their knowledge and also to help inform your colleagues or clients of the importance of M&T.

To discover where energy can be saved, you will first need to examine the energy profile: what it costs, how much energy is used and where it is used. Gathering energy use data, together with information about operations, will form a baseline of current energy use, which can then be used to measure the success of future improvements.

Systems that track and monitor energy use provide evidence of the energy that is used at any given time. This information can be used as an effective tool for reporting information to managers and major users.

The first thing is to make use of the energy use information that you do have.

Guidelines on monitoring and tracking

There are a number of very good guidelines on M&T specifically and the measuring of energy savings in general. These ones are recommended:

Tracking and monitoring energy use

This information sheet contains information about:

• the benefits of tracking and monitoring energy use in your workplace;
• collecting and analysing data; and
• programs that enable you to track energy consumption and to set targets.

Energy Savings Measurement Guide

This Australian Guide provides practical guidance on how this is done and gives examples from five key industry sectors – mineral processing, mining, manufacturing, commercial buildings and transport.

To support the Energy Efficiency Opportunities requirements for some Australian companies the Energy Savings Measurement Guide (ESMG) has been created as a best practice guide to assist companies estimate, measure, evaluate and track energy savings, quantifiable costs and benefits created as a result of implementing energy efficiency opportunities. The Guide will help companies to:

• improve their understanding of how to forecast and measure energy savings;
• realise energy savings by accurately quantifying the whole of business costs, benefits and payback of energy efficiency opportunities;
• determine the economic value of an energy efficiency opportunity so that investment quality information is provided to company decision makers; and
• quantify the accuracy range for each stage of the energy savings analysis.

The Guide provides practical guidance on how this is done and gives examples from five key industry sectors - mineral processing, mining, manufacturing, commercial buildings and transport. (Note that this is a large file to download)

Targeting and Monitoring

This workbook explores the two key elements of a successful Targeting and Monitoring programme, reducing waste and controlling costs, and covers:

• Overview of the T&M process
• Basic principles
• Targeting
• Setting up a T&M programme
• Monitoring
• Analysing data
• Common problems