Inviting comments on WattCarbon's draft Electrification M&V methods

Towards more transparency in carbon accounting

Part of what we believe makes building decarbonization superior to other forms of climate action is the ability to measure progress toward the end goal of eliminating fossil fuel burning. When I look at most nature-based carbon offset marketplaces, I see a lot of faith-based MRV. How often is a tonne really a tonne?

Because building decarb allows us to use real data, when asked that same question of electrification projects, we can actually tell you the answer. But in order for our answer to be satisfying, the methodology has to be transparent. You should be able to make the same calculation and get more or less the same answer.

In the interest of greater transparency, we are sharing our draft electrification savings methods for public comment. While they get a little technical, they are written in plain English so that anyone can understand how to get to a net carbon reduction number (this is tricky because electrification of buildings increases grid energy consumption). We'd love comments and questions on the linked doc.

A couple of highlights:
- We used an existing conditions, weather normalized baseline to disaggregate heating from baseload.
- We require 12 months pre and post meter data for the building.
- Instead of combining gas savings and electricity increases into one single carbon metric, we match the increase in electricity consumption to new clean energy production so that the gas savings can be isolated.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RNtCn0kfPFMf2DhwwKhBLjmIM38EtNAMmeFrHv1eoac/edit