What role does a Measurement and Verification (M&V) professional play under the NSW Energy Savings Scheme?

Under the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, an independent Measurement and Verification professional is required to deem a PIAM&V (Project Impact Assessment with Measurement and Verification) project appropriate and to approve baseline measurement procedures. The M&V professional must provide written explanatory reasoning before the implementation date, as specified in Clause 7A.5A of the Energy Savings Scheme Rule. This approval ensures the project's measurement approach, boundary and baseline conditions are credible and defensible for certificate creation.

What specific rule requires an M&V professional's approval of baseline measurement procedures?

Clause 7A.5A of the Energy Savings Scheme Rule (effective 7 September 2026) requires baseline measurement procedures to be deemed appropriate by an M&V professional, with written explanatory reasoning provided before the implementation date. This requirement establishes the reference pre-project conditions and defines how changes in operating conditions will be treated in measurement and verification analysis. Using the applicable Energy Savings Scheme Rule with the relevant method guidance ensures current project requirements are met.

What M&V services does Northmore Gordon offer to support PIAM&V projects?

We provide measurement and verification services including project-boundary selection, baseline modelling, savings calculation and reporting. We help establish the reference pre-project conditions, specify measurement instruments, intervals and quality checks, and document the calculation and adjustments so another competent reviewer can follow the analysis. These services support both internal performance tracking and NSW Energy Savings Scheme certificate applications under the PIAM&V pathway.

How should an M&V professional approach the practical elements of a measurement and verification brief?

A practical M&V brief should establish: purpose (internal performance, investment contract, reporting or certificate scheme); boundary (equipment, meters, energy streams and interactions); baseline (representative pre-project conditions and treatment of operating-condition changes); measurement (instruments, intervals, quality checks and data-access responsibilities); implementation record (what was installed, commissioning date and other changes); and reporting (calculation, uncertainty, adjustments and exceptions). This structure ensures another competent reviewer can follow and verify the analysis and support credible certificate or scheme outcomes.

What is the relationship between engineering estimates and verified M&V results in the NSW Energy Savings Scheme?

Three distinct outputs must be kept separate: the engineering estimate (modelled expectation before or during design), the verified energy result (outcome under the agreed M&V approach and period), and the certificate result (quantity accepted or issued under the relevant scheme process). An M&V professional's role is to establish the verified result. This is essential because an analysis prepared for feasibility purposes should not be assumed to satisfy PIAM&V scheme requirements without formal baseline approval and measurement verification.

Why is early measurement planning important when selecting an M&V professional for a project?

Government assessment guidance emphasises that early measurement planning is critical where outcomes will require verification. Raising measurement questions while the project is still being scoped allows the M&V professional to establish the project boundary and modelling approach while meaningful baseline data can still be obtained. This prevents the loss of evidence or certification options that can occur if measurement planning is deferred until after commitments have been made or implementation has begun.

What evidence must be in place before an M&V professional can deem a PIAM&V project appropriate?

Before deeming a PIAM&V project appropriate, an M&V professional needs to establish the project's exact activity and rule version, the precise implementation date, the nominated energy saver and nomination documentation method, the necessary baseline and operating variables, the equipment and commissioning evidence required for the method, and the professional review and scheme audit steps that apply. These elements must be recorded in a single project file that demonstrates the project meets current NSW Energy Savings Scheme requirements and that the proposed measurement approach is credible.

How does Northmore Gordon ensure M&V projects maintain credibility with regulators and certificate recipients?

We apply a structured approach connecting technical assessment, commercial decisions and ongoing performance. In the measurement and verification phase, the firm specifies instruments, intervals, quality checks and data responsibilities; documents implementation records including commissioning dates and departures from design; and produces reporting that shows calculation, uncertainty, adjustments and exceptions so reviewers can verify the analysis. This approach, combined with baseline approval from an independent M&V professional, ensures outcomes are defensible under scheme audit and support legitimate certificate creation.

What should organisations know before engaging an M&V professional for an NSW Energy Savings Scheme project?

Before engaging an M&V professional, confirm the professional's accreditation for the specific scheme and activity, the project's current stage and actual implementation date, available baseline data and measurement gaps, and whether the organisation intends to pursue certificates under PIAM&V or another pathway. Provide a project brief identifying the site, equipment, baseline conditions, decision owner and deadline. The M&V professional's role is to deem the approach appropriate and provide written reasoning; this approval is a prerequisite for scheme eligibility, not a promise of certificate quantity or financial outcome.

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