Baseline Adjustment

Q: Can you give me an example of method how to adjust baseline ?

A: One example to share can be at a facility with an established baseline energy model within a well-defined measurement boundary. Into the reporting period an energy team review of energy performance observes an unexpected change in actual reporting period electrical consumption, which in this example negatively impacts the energy savings performance. Investigations by the energy team reveal the source of change is new fan equipment installed to meet new environmental requirements. The fan equipment is expected to operate in future reporting periods and to have minimal interactive effects with other facility equipment. Depending upon energy efficiency program M&V requirements or party contracts, quantifying the change in electrical consumption from the added environmental equipment can be accomplished by a number of well-established energy engineering methods based on energy impact and predictability of the new load. For example:

• For relatively small constant load changes, engineering calculations supported with equipment nameplate information.
• For relatively large constant load changes, engineering calculations supported with short-term data logging.
• For variable loads, long-term or permanent sub-metering.
• For variable loads when long-term sub-metering is not practical or feasible, developing an empirical model that correlates energy usage from the new equipment to key independent variables.

Going forward from the start of the documented installation date of the new equipment, the baseline energy model can then be adjusted by one of the above energy consumption quantification methods.

For treatment of baseline adjustments specific to industrial energy management, please reference BPA Energy Smart Industrial MT&R Reference Guide, Rev. 7, found in accompanying URL.