Energy benchmarking has changed. Take buildings first: thanks to submetering and automatic meter reading, gone are the days of the almost useless "shame and blame" whole-building comparisons of kWh per square metre per annum. Now we can compare one function against another (lighting, air conditioning or general power for example) showing not just quantitative rankings but qualitative comparisons that yield real insights. Which buildings are doing best in which respect? What clues can we get from patterns of consumption in poor performers?

Secondly, there are advances in how we compare process energy efficiencies as well. Although simple indicators of the kWh/tonne variety are the established method for comparing processes, everyone knows that they don't work. In this lecture Vilnis Vesma will use air compressors to illustrate a method called parametric benchmarking which addresses the deficiencies of simple indicators and should be applicable in many other energy-intensive process environments. 

On buildings he will tell the story of a multi-premises benchmarking study using new techniques developed for the age of disaggregated automatic meter readings. As well as parametric benchmarking he will discuss:

• Ranking with disaggregated performance indicators  
• Pattern comparison using heatmap visualisation
• Optimising submeter provision

Finally he will talk about the need to change mindset from passive comparison to active diagnosis and how to sort your energy-saving opportunities in a rational priority order.

Organised for readers of the Energy Management Register newsletter, this is a great opportunity to meet your opposite numbers in energy management and counts as 3.5 hours of CPD contact time.