What does M&V stand for?

M&V stands for measurement and verification. It is the process of quantifying savings from an energy or water project by comparing measured use with an adjusted baseline.

What are the IPMVP options?

IPMVP sets out four options: A, retrofit isolation with key parameter measurement; B, retrofit isolation with all parameter measurement; C, whole facility; and D, calibrated simulation.

Why does M&V adjust for weather?

Heating and cooling loads change with weather. Without adjustment, a mild year could look like a saving and a hot year could hide one, so models use degree days to compare like with like.

Who signs off M&V results?

The parties to the agreement, often an owner, a contractor and sometimes an independent reviewer. Aqueduct supplies the measured data and baseline models; the reviewer decides whether the savings are accepted.

Glossary

Operations and asset management

What is M&V?

Definition

M&V, or measurement and verification, is the process of determining the actual savings from an energy or water project by comparing measured consumption after the change with a baseline adjusted for conditions such as weather and occupancy. Recognized methods include IPMVP and ASHRAE Guideline 14.

What it is

Savings cannot be metered directly. They are the difference between what was used and what would have been used without the project. M&V builds that counterfactual, usually as a baseline model, and compares it with measured use.

IPMVP defines four options. Option A measures key parameters of a retrofit and stipulates others. Option B measures all parameters of the retrofit. Option C uses whole facility meters. Option D uses calibrated simulation. ASHRAE Guideline 14 adds statistical criteria for baseline models.

A sound M&V plan states the measurement boundary, the baseline period, the adjustment variables, the meters and the reporting period before the project starts.

Where it is used

M&V is central to energy savings performance contracts, utility incentive programs, green financing, internal capital approval and any claim of savings that someone else must accept. It is also used by owners who want to know whether a fix actually worked.

How it is measured

Savings are calculated as adjusted baseline use minus reporting period use, with routine adjustments for weather and other drivers and non-routine adjustments for changes outside the project.

Interval meter data for the baseline and reporting periods
Independent variables such as degree days and occupancy
A baseline model and its goodness of fit
Documented adjustments and the final savings report

How Aqueduct helps

M&V is the Verify step in Aqueduct. aQ EnergySmart builds the baseline before the claim and confirms the saving at the meter after the work.

Weather-normalized regression baselines using cooling and heating degree days
Day-one baselines from 6 to 12 months of utility bills where interval data is not yet available
Meter-level verification after each fix, with rate configuration converting the delta into money
aQ Assurance reports that set out the baseline, adjustments and verified result for your reviewer