Energy is needed to make the world go round – now, more than ever, as we rely on so many electronic devices for every part of modern living. Unfortunately, energy is primarily produced by burning fossil fuels, a process that is extremely harmful to the environment.
In recent years, efforts to move away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy have accelerated, but there’s still more to be done. In the meantime, everyone should be taking steps to reduce the amount of energy used in the first place. Whilst it can seem like there’s no consequence to turning on the light, for example, there is – many people don’t connect climate change with leaving devices on.
The term ‘energy conservation’ refers to the prevention of wasteful use of energy, such as ensuring lights are turned off. In contrast, energy efficiency is concerned with using technology that requires less energy for the same function – for example, installing LED light bulbs.
In this post, we explore exactly how energy conservation is measured.
Methods of measuring energy conservation
Energy meters
Useful for both home and commercial energy conservation measurement, smart energy meters can keep track of your energy usage down to the hour (some even to the minute). They often come with user-friendly reports and dashboards, and once they’re up and running, require very little interaction. You’ll simply be able to see the difference before and after implementing any energy conservation measures, to calculate the difference.
Power analyzers
Power analyzers are devices that can measure the rate of the power flow as it happens, as opposed to just getting the results at a set period (for example, hourly, as with an energy meter). It’s able to identify exactly where in the circuit is using the most power, therefore allowing you to make targeted changes.
Calculating energy savings
Baseline consumption
To calculate the amount of energy that is being saved, you first need to establish the baseline consumption – i.e. how much energy is used normally. Understandably, energy usage tends to vary month-on-month due to seasonality, so it’s best to get a full 12 months of data before you start comparing.
Percentage savings
Once you have your baseline, you can compare the most recent data to this, and get a percentage saving (assuming the figure has gone down) or a percentage increase (if it has gone up). Once you have this big-picture view of your usage, you can start to dig deeper into the reasons, to help inform your strategies for the future.
The importance of energy performance indicators
Data is crucial for measuring energy conservation, but putting it into context is often the thing that can get people motivated to make a further difference. For example, reporting on statistics such as average energy usage per person in the building can encourage individuals to make a team effort to lower this figure in time for the next reporting cycle.
Energy performance indicators can be particularly useful for large companies, who have a requirement to report publicly on their environmental social governance (ESG) progress. With more consumers than ever caring about our planet, having transparency through easy-to-understand energy metrics can not only make a company compliant but also more appealing.
Data as a Motivator
If your metrics are heading in the right direction, understanding your energy usage can be a powerful motivator for change. Fortunately, technology allows us access to the data that previously would have required an expert to extract, meaning that both businesses and homeowners alike can clearly see where they can make a difference.
About the author: Phoebe Owen is a freelance writer with expertise in beauty, health, sustainability, and scientific topics. She has a degree in English Language and produces thought-provoking articles that offer valuable insights on achieving good health while supporting environmental conservation.
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 