Metered Baseline Methods

About these methods

The Metered Baseline Methods (MBM) is a group of calculation methods under the ESS. Each method compares energy use before and after implementing an energy-saving project. In these methods, the term ‘energy’ may refer to:

  • electricity
  • liquefied petroleum gas
  • natural gas
  • diesel
  • biofuel
  • biogas
  • biomass
  • on-site renewables
  • a combination of two or more of these.

Several different methods are available for calculating energy savings under the MBM:

  • Baseline per unit of output. This is used when consumption is strongly linked to output (e.g. aluminium smelting).
  • Baseline unaffected by output. This is used where consumption is not linked to output (e.g. hotels, schools and swimming pools).
  • Normalised baseline. This is used where explainable variation needs to be accounted for in the baseline (e.g. weather dependent HVAC and refrigeration).
  • NABERS baseline. This is used for certain eligible buildings.
  • Aggregated metered baseline. This uses statistical methods to calculate energy savings. 

See below for more detail on:

  • Aggregated Metered Baseline
  • NABERS baseline.

Accordion group

The Aggregated Metered Baseline (AMB) method allows you to calculate energy savings across a group of energy customers. In this method, the term ‘energy’ may refer to: 

  • electricity
  • natural gas
  • electricity and natural gas.

The method may be suitable where:

  • energy savings are small on a site-by-site basis
  • energy savings can vary greatly from site to site
  • there is uncertainty over the amount of energy that will be saved, or the persistence of energy savings.

It allows you to calculate energy savings for an activity that:

  • rolls out over many sites
  • achieves relatively small savings at each site. 

The method determines the significance of energy savings using verified statistical analysis. 

The calculation of energy savings is based on the comparison between the measured energy consumption of 2 groups:

  • a treatment group, which is offered goods and services designed to achieve energy savings
  • a control group, which is not offered any energy savings incentive.

The treatment group and control group are selected from a population using an unbiased selection method.

Accredited Statistician

To use this method, you must engage an Accredited Statistician to verify in writing that:

  • the Accredited Statistician has randomly allocated sites to either the treatment group or control group
  • the analysis method for calculating the observed energy savings is valid
  • the lengths of all measurement periods used to calculate energy savings have been documented and, if using Method 5.4, explanatory variables, including any interactions between them, have been documented.

We must accept the Accredited Statistician.

The Statistical Society of Australia maintains a list of Accredited Statisticians on their website.

This method calculates energy savings for improvements in the NABERS rating of a building. In this method, the term ‘energy’ may refer to:

  • electricity  
  • gas (liquefied petroleum gas or natural gas)
  • both.

You need a certified NABERS rating for each building you wish to create an energy savings certificate from. The NABERS National Administrator is responsible for issuing a NABERS rating. 

You can apply the NABERS rating to many types of buildings. This includes office buildings, shopping centres, hotels, data centres, hospitals, apartments, residential aged care, retirement living, warehouses and cold storage.

Relevant documentation

MBM - Method Guide
Template - Nomination form
Aggregated Metered Baseline - Method Guide
Template - Nomination form
NABERS Baseline - Method Guide
Template - Nomination form

More information