BS EN 16231:2012 pdf download – Energy efficiency benchmarking methodology
4 Energy efficiency benchmarking methodology
4.1 Minimum requirements for energy efficiency benchmarking
The energy efficiency benchmarking process shall, as a minimum, include the following:
— definition of deliverables for each step;
— definition of the energy efficiency benchmarking objective(s) and the entitie(s) and boundarie(s);
— definition of the target group of the benchmarking;
— definition of the characteristics for selecting the sample;
— selection of participants and designation of the coordinator and establishing their roles;
— definition of conditions for accurate, reliable and comparable data collection;
— definition of level of confidentiality of collected data and of database ownership and access conditions;
— verification of collected data;
— validation of the benchmarking results by coordinator and participants;
— definition of reporting content, depending on objective and participants.
4.2 Benchmarking steps
4.2.1 Purpose and planning
Energy efficiency benchmarking starts with the definition of specific objectives of that benchmarking.
The type of benchmarking (i.e. internal or external) shall be selected depending on:
— the need that has motivated the benchmarking;
— whether a particular benchmark shall be derived.
EXAMPLE 1 Example of need triggering and leading to internal benchmarking: comparison of energy performance on different locations within the same organisation in order to improve energy performance.
EXAMPLE 2 Example of need triggering and leading to external benchmarking: better understanding of the statistical energy performance (average, minimum, maximum, scattering, etc.) of a sector.
Management commitment for carrying out the benchmarking is important. Approval for resources shall be obtained.
The coverage of the energy efficiency benchmarking (i.e. geographical, sector specific and/or technical) shall be defined.
The participants and their main characteristics shall be determined in relation to the product(s), service(s) and associated technologies which are subject of the benchmarking.
The data collection method shall be determined depending on the objectives, participants and allocated resources.
Annex A provides an example of a checklist for an energy efficiency benchmarking.
A coordinator shall be nominated and their role shall be established.
In case of external benchmarking, participants shall approve the nominated coordinator, in order to ensure confidentiality of collected data and information. The coordinator of the energy efficiency benchmarking should have appropriate knowledge in energy management. Preferably, the coordinator should have a good
knowledge of the products or services and related technologies which are to be benchmarked.
It shall be defined whether correction factors such as weather conditions, product or service and associated technology, production level, quality of feedstock used, will be taken into account.
A documented project plan shall be developed.
Participants should take part in the definition of the project plan.
The project plan shall include the method for:
— data collection template (e.g. questionnaire, self-declaration, walkthrough audit, energy audit/diagnosis);
— data processing;
— data storage (database);
— data control, verification and validation.
The project plan shall also include:
— confidentiality requirements;
— database ownership and accessibility;
— result distribution criteria;
— reporting rules, such as presentation formats and level of detail (e.g. units, tables and graphs).
4.2.2 Data collection and verification
In order to perform energy efficiency benchmarking the coordinator (or designated investigators) shall draw up a data collection template in which the type, format and accuracy of the required input data is described in a clear and unambiguous way. To make sure that the questionnaire ensuing from this template is adequate and complete, its content could be presented to the benchmarking participants in order to ensure consensus.
The coordinator shall further take care of following actions:
— compile a request for information and data on energy performance to the target group participants using the agreed template;
— review and control the use of and agreement on correction factor(s);
— perform a first plausibility check of the received input data. (Annex D provides examples of tools to perform this check);
— in case of external benchmarking the processed data shall be made anonymous by decoupling them from the identification of the participant;
— calculate the energy efficiency based on the received input data points and rank these output data according to the agreed reporting order (mostly ascending, but other orders are possible e.g. historical);
— verify the data collected from the participants on correctness and comparability; — review the output results in order to check the calculation method and reject unrealistic inputs, since unrealistic outputs are commonly caused by unrealistic inputs;