M&V Planning
An M&V plan is the written document that defines how savings will be determined, agreed upon before the project begins. It should specify: the M&V option(s) and measurement boundary; the baseline period and baseline data; the independent variables and adjustment method; metering and data collection (equipment, interval, accuracy, responsibilities); the reporting period and frequency; non-routine adjustment procedures; uncertainty and how it will be handled; and roles, costs, and quality assurance.
Key concepts: measurement boundary, baseline definition, data quality objectives, meter accuracy and calibration, sampling plans, documentation and data management, and dispute resolution. The plan should be written so a third party could reproduce the savings calculation. It must be agreed before savings are claimed, because retroactive changes undermine credibility.
Traps: writing the plan after the retrofit, or leaving the adjustment method vague ("weather-normalized") without specifying the model and data; omitting non-routine adjustment procedures; failing to specify meter accuracy or calibration requirements; and not identifying who owns and maintains meters and data. Questions often test whether the plan must be agreed before the measurement period (yes) and whether it should include cost and responsibility assignments (yes).
Worked example: For a boiler replacement, the plan states: Option B; boundary includes boiler, pumps, and controls; baseline is 12 months of fuel and weather data; adjustment uses a regression of fuel vs. HDD; metering is a gas meter with ±2% accuracy logged hourly; non-routine adjustments for any change in building area or occupancy; reporting quarterly with annual true-up; M&V cost estimated at 5% of first-year savings. This level of specificity is what exam questions expect.