The effect of linear regression modeling approaches on determining facility wide energy savings
Holistic energy management system business practices, such as the framework detailed in ISO 50001 – Energy management system, requirements and guidance for use , are centrally based upon the concept of energy performance improvement. For the purposes of ISO 50001, energy performance improvement can be determined for boundaries and following a process that is best suited for the implementing organization. Many organization and government ISO 50001 based programs, including the United States Department of Energy Superior Energy Performance (SEP) program, find value in demonstrating organizational energy performance improvement as the difference in energy consumption between two time periods within physically defined facility-boundaries. To make the difference in energy consumption for the two time periods meaningful, the amount of energy consumed must be adjusted to account for relevant variables. Relevant variables, such as metrics of production and weather conditions, affect directly the amount of energy consumed but are independent of the facility’s energy performance. Therefore, it is crucial to adjust the observed energy consumption by the relevant variables identified by the facility, so that the energy savings resulted from the energy performance improvement actions can be isolated and determined, which is the purpose of this program.