On the 12th day of Xmas my true love gave to me data, data and more data. Or at least, that’s what it currently feels like.
Whilst some colleagues are busy arranging Christmas parties and sorting out festive period cover, I have been busy doing energy forecasting, energy budgeting and historical energy analysis. I’m half expecting Santa to put ‘Principles of Statistics’ under the tree for me.
All good energy analysis relies on the availability of good data, but what do you do when you are drowning in numbers?
Firstly, you need to make sure that all your data is relevant and at least your major energy consumers are monitored. Once you have this, you could for example think that a monthly or year on year comparison would be a good way of scrutinising your figures, but what if something changes in your business or building? Hotter weather will mean an increased requirement for cooling, more staff equal more equipment or more product manufactured more energy resources. This means that you will also need to collect information related to your consumption drivers (yes, more data! Can you see where I’m going?)
Once you have this, you will know how much energy you used, but how do you figure out how much you should have used and whether changes are reasonable? Energy is consumed for a reason and using your drivers, you should be able to estimate an appropriate consumption in each situation. Anything outside this interval should be investigated and looked at.
It is easy to get lost or overwhelmed with it all, especially when you might have over 100 meters in your site. So please do get in touch if you would like some help from us at LCMB. You might have to wait until after Christmas though!
If you are interested in understanding how LCMB can help reduce you Carbon and Energy costs, please contact Matt Whitehead by email or on 01295 722 823.
