Energy-efficiency measurement and verification (M&V) of complex industrial systems can involve highly technical metering equipment, data acquisition, and engineering analysis. Such an effort can also appear costly to efficiency programs and invasive to industrial end-users. However, if done properly, significant side benefits beyond simply quantifying rebate savings can be extracted from the M&V process, bringing value to both the program and customer.

Since providing M&V requires detailed data collection and expert eyes on the system, it is highly conducive to identifying mechanical issues within systems or additional efficiency opportunities. Such identified issues and opportunities occur frequently and it is easy to piggyback off the already necessary M&V analysis and provide quantified recommendations for the customer to take action on.

This paper pulls from common M&V experiences to demonstrate specific side benefits. This paper places heavy focus on compressed air systems, since it is a complex system common to almost every industrial facility. The goal is to discuss what detailed M&V looks like and how it streamlines with identifying issues or improvements within a system. Examples of common compressed air issues exposed through M&V are provided, such as compressors operating at partial capacity due to stuck slide and inlet valves, staging and controls mistakes, or improper equipment installations. In many of the provided examples, the issues and opportunities were communicated to customer and action was taken, resulting in improved system maintenance and increased program energy savings.