How do you choose the best tools for calculating and normalizing energy performance indicators?

1 Know your goals

Before you start looking for tools, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your EPIs. Do you want to compare your energy performance with others in your sector or region? Do you want to monitor your energy consumption and costs over time? Do you want to evaluate the impact of energy efficiency projects or policies? Depending on your goals, you may need different types of tools, such as benchmarking tools, monitoring and verification tools, or simulation tools.

2 Understand your data

The quality and availability of your energy data will also influence your choice of tools. You need to know what data sources you have, how often they are updated, how accurate they are, and how they are formatted. You also need to consider the level of detail and granularity you need for your EPIs. For example, do you need to measure energy use by end-use, by zone, by hour, or by season? Some tools may require more data than others, or may have specific data formats or standards.

3 Compare your options

Once you have defined your goals and data, you can start comparing different tools for calculating and normalizing EPIs. There are many factors to consider, such as the functionality, usability, reliability, compatibility, and cost of the tools. You may also want to check the credibility and reputation of the tool developers, the support and training they offer, and the feedback and reviews from other users. You can use online directories, databases, or platforms to find and compare tools, such as the Energy Management Tool Finder or the Energy Star Portfolio Manager.

4 Test your tools

Before you commit to using a tool, you should test it to see how it works for your specific situation. You can use a sample or a subset of your data to run some calculations and normalizations, and check the results and reports. You should also evaluate how easy or difficult it is to use the tool, how long it takes to perform the tasks, and how well it meets your expectations and needs. You may want to test more than one tool to compare their performance and outputs.

5 Adapt your tools

Finally, you should remember that no tool is perfect, and you may need to adapt or customize it to suit your purposes. You may need to adjust some parameters, settings, or formulas to reflect your reality and context. You may also need to integrate or combine different tools to achieve your desired outcomes. For example, you may use one tool to calculate your EPIs, and another tool to normalize them for external factors, such as weather, occupancy, or production. You should always document and justify any changes or modifications you make to the tools.

6 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?