An Energy Baseline (EnB) is a quantitative reference for an organization’s or facility’s energy use over a specific time period. It reflects the state of energy utilization over that time period and can be used to compare changes in energy performance. Energy baselines are typically used to determine energy savings before and after the implementation of energy performance improvement measures in order to measure energy efficiency gains.

The establishment of an energy baseline involves several steps, including identifying the time period of energy use, selecting data sources, and determining the extent of energy use. In some cases, energy baselines can also be normalized based on variables that affect energy use and consumption, such as production levels, degree-days (outdoor temperatures), and so on.

In addition, energy baselines can be used as a reference for assessing future energy performance, by evaluating energy values under base period conditions using relevant variables. In some projects, energy baselines may also be determined in different ways based on existing conditions, regulations/standards, or market practices.

An energy baseline is an important tool for measuring and improving energy performance by providing a point of reference that helps an organization understand its energy use and provides a quantitative basis for future energy conservation measures.

What are the steps involved in establishing an energy baseline?

The steps for establishing an energy baseline specifically include the following:

1. Determine the purpose of using the energy baseline: The purpose of establishing the energy baseline needs to be clarified first, which will guide the subsequent steps and data collection.
2. Determine the appropriate data period: Choose an appropriate time period for data collection to ensure that the data are representative and accurate.
3. Data Collection: Collect relevant energy usage data, including but not limited to data on energy consumption such as electricity, natural gas, and water. This data can be obtained from utility bills, facility management systems, or field measurements.
4. Calculate and Test Energy Baseline: Calculate an energy baseline using the collected data and perform the necessary tests to verify its accuracy and reliability.
5. Create Baseline Models: Create baseline models using methods such as regression analysis or estimated averages to ensure model accuracy.
6. Building Assessment and Utility Data Analysis: For existing buildings, perform a building assessment and analyze at least four years of historical utility data to generate a baseline building model. This step requires consideration of energy use history and calendarization of utility data.
7. Ensure Accuracy: When building the baseline model, there is a need to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the data to avoid the impact of arbitrary billing periods.
8. Ongoing maintenance and updates: Energy baselines need to be regularly maintained and updated to reflect the latest in organizational energy use and improvements.

How do I adjust my energy baseline based on variables such as production levels and degree-days?

Adjusting the energy baseline based on variables such as production levels and number of days is done as follows:

1. Selecting an appropriate baseline period: First, the organization should select at least one year of data as the baseline period to ensure the adequacy and representativeness of the data. The baseline period should reflect the characteristics of the organization’s operations so that energy performance can be compared across periods.
2. Consider multiple variables: When establishing an energy benchmark, it is important to consider multiple variables that affect energy use and consumption, such as production levels and degree-days (outdoor temperatures). These variables can help to better understand trends in energy consumption and provide a more accurate reference point for energy management.
3. Use regression analysis: If data are sufficient and available, regression analysis can be utilized to establish an energy baseline. Statistical software packages can be used to build regression models, but those responsible for building energy benchmarks should be statistically literate to avoid incorrectly defining and interpreting regression models. Regression analysis allows energy consumption to be normalized or adjusted for variables such as production levels and degree-days.
4. Regularly review and update benchmarks: The organization should regularly review and update energy benchmarks to ensure their accuracy and effectiveness. The principles and timing of the review should be defined in advance and adjusted for changes in energy structure, product structure and type, production process, management level and means, and production energy use.
5. Application of degree-days analysis: the number of degree-days is an important indicator for assessing the impact of climatic factors on energy consumption, especially in heating and cooling. The analysis of degree-days can help to better understand the impact of temperature changes on energy consumption and to make rational temperature regulation and energy management.

What are the use cases of energy baselines in different industries?

Application examples of energy baselines in different industries cover a wide range of fields, demonstrating their important role in improving energy efficiency and achieving sustainable development.

1. Industrial sector: In the industrial sector, energy baselines are used to assess and optimize energy consumption in production processes. For example, in the plastics injection process, the energy consumption of each product and its impact on the overall efficiency of the industry can be determined by establishing an ISO 50001-compliant Energy Baseline (EBL), which can be used to inform energy savings.
2. Energy Systems Analysis: The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 8GREET model applies baseline techniques in a number of areas, including oil sands and shale oil production, energy use in ethanol plants, and more. These baseline technologies and systems help analyze fuel economy and vehicle emissions, providing data to support policy development and technological innovation.
3. Agriculture and Dairy: In the New Jersey case, a dairy farm used for dairy cooling realized significant energy savings by replacing reciprocating compressors with roll compressors. This baseline assessment methodology helps calculate life cycle savings and guides the implementation of energy efficiency measures.
4. Commercial buildings: By creating an energy profile baseline for each piece of equipment, Weikeng Group is able to signal performance deviations at their earliest stages for immediate intervention. This approach not only improved the operational efficiency of the equipment, but also achieved a 30% energy saving for the chiller units.
5. New energy microgrid technology: In the park’s distributed clean energy project, the efficiency of clean energy utilization was improved through the closed-loop management of self-generation, self-storage and self-consumption. The project explored the key technology of optical storage and charging microgrid through the docking of technical achievements with the capital market, and realized the technological breakthrough of shared construction in multiple parks.
6. Energy saving and emission reduction for SMEs: SMEs optimize the energy management process by establishing energy baselines, energy saving targets and energy saving performance, and diagnosing abnormal energy-consuming equipment and dealing with it in real time. This approach helps SMEs achieve energy saving and emission reduction goals.

What is the relationship between energy baselines and energy performance improvement measures?

The relationship between energy baseline and energy performance improvement measures is close and interdependent. An energy baseline is a fixed reference point for measuring and comparing energy use over time and is the basis for energy performance improvement. By establishing an energy baseline, an organization can determine an initial level of energy consumption or efficiency that provides a clear starting point for subsequent improvements.

Energy performance improvement measures are a series of actions taken to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption, or increase the efficiency of energy use. These measures are typically based on an assessment of current energy performance compared to an energy baseline to identify directions and targets for improvement. For example, an organization can achieve energy performance improvements by implementing new energy-saving technologies or optimizing operational processes.

An energy baseline provides baseline data for energy performance improvement, allowing the organization to quantify the effect of improvements and track changes in energy performance on an ongoing basis.

How do I assess the validity and accuracy of an energy baseline?

Assessing the effectiveness and accuracy of an energy baseline is a complex process that requires consideration of multiple factors and methods. Below are some of the key steps and methods:

1. DATA REVIEW AND VALIDATION: First, the accuracy of the baseline needs to be determined against aggregated data, source data, and raw standardized metrics data (e.g., utility invoices, meter logs, production, etc.). This includes double-checking monthly electricity consumption records to ensure they match the annual electricity consumption used to calculate the baseline.
2. Use of Statistical Regression Modeling: ERCOT’s methodology refers to establishing a baseline through energy demand forecasting based on statistical regression modeling. This approach varies according to the nature of the load modifications and calculates the baseline values by matching the historical usage of the sites.
3. Integrated Artificial Intelligence Models: Research at the National Technical University of Athens proposes a baseline energy modeling approach based on integrated artificial intelligence models, using machine learning models such as Random Forest, XGBoost, and LightGBM to improve the accuracy of energy estimates.
4. ISO Standard Guidance:The ISO 50006 standard provides a systematic approach to establishing, using, and maintaining energy baselines that is applicable to any organization. The standard emphasizes the importance of analyzing historical data, production data, or other relevant information to assess the degree of improvement in energy use efficiency.
5. On-Site Observations and Interviews: In the Higg FEM standard, the process of baseline determination and the process of verifying the accuracy of baseline data are described through on-site observations of energy management practices for consistency with the reported baseline determination methodology, and through interviews with energy managers and relevant staff.
6. Application of Adjustment Methods: in order to improve the accuracy of baseline estimates, event-day adjustment methods can be applied. This method is based on the actual kWh usage during the adjustment period prior to the event start time and corrects the unadjusted baseline kWh number through an adjustment factor.