Massachusetts Water Resources Authority – Elliot Gordon – 2014

Goals

Elliot Gordon spent his summer working with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to develop metrics and processes for measuring savings from energy efficiency projects.

Solutions

Following general guidelines set forth by the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol, Gordon developed a process that utilizes readily available billing and operations data to calculate avoided costs. By predicting baseline energy consumption with multiple regression analyses, these savings estimates account for regular changes in operations, weather and other factors. Gordon also developed a toolkit of Excel macros to be used in conjunction with the analytical process that could expedite data management and analysis.

In addition to looking at savings measurements, Gordon also looked at ways that MWRA may be able to utilize energy data to improve its overall energy management strategy by reviewing case studies and interviewing energy managers at similar water and wastewater agencies. Recommendations focused on using data to raise employee awareness of energy usage in order to ensure that energy efficiency is incorporated into day to day operations.

Potential Impact

The processes and tools that Gordon developed could be used by MWRA to measure avoided energy and costs for past and future energy efficiency projects across over 50 water and wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations.