Bottom-up methods

In the EU Directive on energy end-use efficiency and energy services (ESD), bottom-up evaluation is defined as follows:

“A bottom-up calculation method means that energy savings obtained through the implementation of a specific energy efficiency improvement measure are measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), in Joules (J) or in kilogram oil equivalent (kgoe) and added to energy savings results from other specific energy efficiency improvement measures”.

Bottom-up evaluation starts from data at the level of a single energy efficiency improvement (EEI) measure, mechanism, programme, or energy service (e.g. monitoring energy savings per participant and number of participants), and then aggregates results from all EEI measures reported by a Member State to assess its total energy savings in a specific field.

The required data can be obtained by either direct measurement, analysis of energy bills, or expert calculations or estimates (ex ante or ex post; with or without on-site inspection).

The major advantage of bottom-up evaluation methods (as compared to top-down methods, which make use of already existing and officially approved statistics) is the fact that they allow a direct monitoring of the energy savings that are due to specific EEI measures. This approach can thus achieve greater accuracy and has additional advantages, as it enables the development of benchmarks and a better programme control. A potential drawback of bottom-up evaluation, however, are the potentially high costs of data collection, if a high level of accuracy is deemed necessary.

Bottom-up evaluation is not to be taken as a simple control instrument. It is an efficient tool to assist management and monitoring of activities. It facilitates improvements of the design and implementation process of (EEI) facilitating measures by helping to understand how and why results are gained.

Project reports focussing on bottom-up evaluation

Jean-Sébastien Broc (Armines) et al., 2009: The development process for harmonised bottom-up evaluation methods of energy savings
Harry Vreuls (SenterNovem), Stefan Thomas (Wuppertal Institute), Jean-Sébastien Broc (Armines), 2009: General bottom-up data collection, monitoring, and calculation methods (WP 4 final summary report)
Stefan Thomas (Wuppertal Institute), 2009: Overview of default values proposed in bottom-up case applications

Concrete bottom-up case applications of methods developed by the EMEEES project

The following bottom-up case application reports are available for download:

Case application 1: Energy Performance of New Buildings
Case application 2: Building Envelope
Case application 3: Biomass Boilers
Case application 4: Residential Condensing Boilers
Case application 5: White Appliances
Case application 6: Solar Water Heaters
Case application 7: Heat Pumps
Case application 8: Non Residential Space Heating Improvement
Case application 9: Lighting Systems
Case application 10: Central Air Conditioning
Case application 11: Office Equipment
Case application 12: Energy-Efficient Motors
Case application 13: Variable Speed Drives
Case application 14: Vehicle Energy Efficiency
Case application 15: Modal Shifts in Passenger Transport
Case application 16: Ecodriving
Case application 17: Energy Performance Contracting
Case application 18: Energy Audits
Case application 19: Voluntary Agreements - Billing analysis Method
Case application 20: Voluntary Agreements with Individual Companies - Engineering Method

Bottom-up methods

Project reports focussing on bottom-up evaluation

Concrete bottom-up case applications of methods developed by the EMEEES project

Further reading: Manuals on bottom-up evaluation produced in other contexts