What tools and frameworks can you use to optimize energy management decisions?

1 Energy audits

An energy audit is a systematic assessment of the current energy situation and potential improvement opportunities in a specific site or system. It involves collecting and analyzing data on energy sources, uses, flows, and losses, as well as identifying and evaluating energy-saving measures and their costs and benefits. An energy audit can help you understand your energy profile, benchmark your performance, prioritize your actions, and estimate your savings. You can use various tools and standards to conduct an energy audit, such as the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP), the ISO 50002 standard, or the ASHRAE Level 1, 2, and 3 audits.

2 Energy models

An energy model is a mathematical representation of the physical and operational characteristics of an energy system or process. It can help you simulate, predict, and optimize the energy performance and consumption of your system or process under different scenarios and conditions. You can use energy models to test various design options, evaluate the impact of changes or interventions, compare alternative solutions, and support decision-making. You can use various tools and software to create and run energy models, such as EnergyPlus, TRNSYS, HOMER, or RETScreen.

3 Energy management systems

An energy management system is a set of policies, procedures, and practices that enable you to monitor, control, and improve your energy performance and consumption on an ongoing basis. It involves setting goals and targets, measuring and reporting results, implementing actions and projects, and reviewing and improving performance. An energy management system can help you establish a systematic and continuous approach to energy management, integrate it into your organizational culture and operations, and ensure accountability and compliance. You can use various tools and frameworks to implement an energy management system, such as the ISO 50001 standard, the Energy Star program, or the Superior Energy Performance (SEP) certification.

4 Energy optimization techniques

Energy optimization techniques are methods and algorithms that help you find the best or optimal solution to an energy management problem or objective. They can help you minimize your energy costs, maximize your energy efficiency, or balance your energy supply and demand. You can use energy optimization techniques to solve complex and nonlinear problems that involve multiple variables, constraints, and trade-offs. You can use various tools and software to apply energy optimization techniques, such as MATLAB, GAMS, Excel Solver, or Python.

5 Energy dashboards

An energy dashboard is a visual display of key energy indicators and metrics that help you track and communicate your energy performance and consumption. It can help you monitor your progress, identify trends and patterns, highlight issues and opportunities, and motivate actions and behaviors. You can use energy dashboards to present and share your energy data in a clear, concise, and engaging way, and to support feedback and learning. You can use various tools and software to create and customize your energy dashboards, such as Tableau, Power BI, Emoncms, or EnergyCAP.

6 Energy analytics

Energy analytics is the process of applying data science and artificial intelligence to your energy data to generate insights, predictions, and recommendations. It can help you discover hidden patterns and relationships, forecast future outcomes and scenarios, and optimize your energy decisions and actions. You can use energy analytics to enhance your energy understanding, intelligence, and performance, and to leverage the potential of big data and smart technologies. You can use various tools and software to perform and apply energy analytics, such as R, Python, TensorFlow, or IBM Watson.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?