The Role of the Measurement and Verification Professional

Measurement and verification (M&V) is the accounting system for energy management. Implementing M&V as a professional requires both a broad understanding of concepts and contexts and an awareness of the fundamental tools used in estimating impacts of energy management. This book will assist those seeking to become M&V professionals by establishing the framework within which to conduct successful M&V. It does this by:

Laying out the fundamental concepts underpinning M&V methods. A full understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the fundamental methods allows the professional to communicate effectively.

Reviewing the most common M&V guidelines and protocols. Many people enter the world of M&V through the various guidelines that attempt to standardize M&V methods. In this book you will learn about how these documents are aligned, and how and why they differ.

Providing a list of the most common technical issues and areas requiring judgement that arise in every M&V project. Many of the activities of M&V involve technical tasks and analysis. Much of the core content of these tasks is developed fully in texts related to energy engineering. In this book you will learn how to incorporate energy engineering concepts into your M&V projects. Being a professional means making informed and sound decisions using good judgement. Being a successful M&V professional means communicating these decisions and judgements throughout the M&V process. This book is intended to expose the typical challenges faced in M&V and provide the tools for the M&V professional to conduct successful M&V now and into the future.

M&V has often been defined as an art and a science. The art of M&V is expressed through the judgements that the M&V professional makes during an M&V project. The science of M&V is within the domain of those aspects that can be measured, quantified and reported. While the technical tasks within M&V are important, the most important task of the M&V professional is to establish and maintain clear and consistent communication among all parties throughout the M&V process.

Steve Kromer is an energy engineer and principal at SKEE in Berkeley, California. With over three decades of experience in energy efficiency, Steve has been a leader in the development and deployment of measurement and verification around the world. He is a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP) and a registered professional engineer in the State of California.