Performance monitoring
Regular analysis of performance will reveal unexpected
adverse changes, allowing the causes to be
diagnosed and cured. This helps the energy user to
avoid unexpected excess consumption
and the avoidable costs it entails.
Three ingredients are essential:
- Consumption data, usually derived from
meter readings but sometimes
from stock levels and records of bulk deliveries;
- Information about the factors such as
degree-days, production throughput
and other things which drive the demand for utilities
- An analysis of how consumption relates to the determining
factors when the monitored systems are working at their
most economical
Externally-derived targets and
specifications can also be used to set performance standards.
However, an 'aggressive but achievable' target, set on the basis of
the system's own best past performance, is usually more credible
and will sometimes be more stringent.
Note that the information collected in this process has an important
secondary use in support of site surveys and
audits, which are far more productive if site performance
characteristics (and anomalies) are known prior to visits.
Elements of the utility management process
Top-level objectives