Measurement and verification for performance contract of HVAC energy conservation in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, the building owners have found both technically and economically viable to apply the energy conservation strategies for their buildings, especially in the HVAC services. Performance contracts are therefore prevailing to guarantee the saving and return. However some projects have caused disputes in the performance targets, mainly about the methodology of measurement and verification (M&V). A series of problems would be induced and defeat the continual commitment of the building owners to energy conservation for other buildings. In this paper, an example methodology of M&V for a central chiller plant is used to illustrate a good practice of performance contract. This baseline is important to maintain the participation of building owners in the energy conservation schemes currently advocated in Hong Kong.