Presentation Title:
Measurement & Verification Demystified: Leveraging M&V as a Tool for Watch-Outs for Building Owners
Track B: Energy Services and Emerging Technologies
Session B2: Measurement & Verification
Day 2 - March 12, 2026 9:00 am
Speaker(s):
Abstract:
| Measurement and Verification (M&V) is a critical component of energy efficiency projects, particularly as building owners increasingly rely on performance-based delivery models such as Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) and ESCO contracts. In these models, energy savings are not only projected but contractually guaranteed and monetized over 20–30-year terms, often with no upfront capital investment by the owner. Despite its importance, M&V remains one of the most misunderstood and risk-prone aspects of project delivery. This owner-focused presentation shares practical lessons learned and common pitfalls observed across institutional and portfolio-scale energy efficiency projects, from contracting and baseline development through post-implementation performance reporting. Drawing on real-world case studies, the session highlights key “watch-outs,” including misaligned contractual language, inappropriate M&V option selection, data quality limitations, changes in building use, and insufficient planning for long-term operational risk. Beyond compliance with Building Performance Standards and savings guarantees, the presentation also explores the broader value of M&V as a tool for tracking energy use, benchmarking costs, and informing replication of efficiency measures across portfolios. The session is intended to equip owners with the knowledge needed to ask better questions, set clearer expectations, and protect long-term energy and financial outcomes. |