Page - 1
Measurement & Verification
Of Energy Efficiency Projects
Guidelines
Contents
Basic Concepts
• What is IPMVP?
• Why Measurement and Verification?
• Key Points
• Savings Measurement
• Measurement Options
• Measurement & Verification (M&V) Plan
• Third Party Verification
• Valuation of Units of Utility Resource Savings or Avoidance
• Measurement or Stipulation?
• Allocating Risk
• Measuring Performance and Usage
The Process
• Step 1: Define The Baseline
• Step 2: Develop Project Specific Measurement & Verification Plan
• Step 3: Post-Installation Verification
• Step 4: Periodic Performance Period Verification
The Measurement & Verification Plan
• M&V Protocols and Methods
• Option A – Partially Measured Retrofit Isolation
• Option B – Retrofit Isolation
• Option C – Whole Facility Energy Use
• Option D – Calibrated Simulation
• Specific ECMs and Related Measurement Methods
• Sample M&V Plan Section Headings
Appendix A – Risk/Responsibilities Matrix
Page - 2
BASIC CONCEPTS
Any organization contracting for large energy efficiency projects should be familiar with the
International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP). IPMVP provides
guidance for measuring the savings produced by energy efficiency initiatives. It is a compilation of best
industry practices for determining the degree to which efficiency measures produce savings. Although
the word “large” is a relative term, for many organizations that is probably going to mean projects that
cost over $100,000. Information on IPMVP is easy to obtain. You can down load a free copy from their
web site at: http://www.ipmvp.org.
What is IPMVP?
The IPMVP is maintained with the sponsorship of the US Department of Energy by a broad international
coalition of facility owners/operators, financiers, contractors or Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) and
other stake holders. Energy conservation measures covered by the IPMVP include fuel saving meas