Interval Meter Analytics (IMA)

Module Overview
Background
Interval Meter Analytics (IMA) helps clients analyze utility demand and
consumption patterns at a granular level through interval meter data.

This article describes the features included with the IMA module and the
customer value proposition for purchasing the module. It also addresses
areas we are not targeting (and why) as well as answering some common
questions regarding supported data types and data capture methods.

Original Envizi Product Framework

In the original Envizi Product Framework, interval metering was split
between the Energy Management and Building Optimization solutions.
New IBM Envizi Product Framework
Under IBM, the Envizi Product Framework was simplified to make it easier
to package and sell features aligned to customer outcomes. As part of this
change, the following modules were consolidated into one module called
Interval Meter Analytics (IMA):
• Interval Meter Monitoring (IMM)
• Building Energy Performance Analytics (BEPA)
• Solar Monitoring (SOL). Note – this is not a significant part of the
module and hence not described in detail below).

Although IMA is listed as one module in the Envizi Service Description,

within the platform the above features are still referred to as IMM and
BEPA. These features will eventually be consolidated however this
transition requires further planning to ensure service continuity for existing
customers.

Some examples of this naming are shown below. Generally, if there is a

selection between IMM and BEPA (e.g., in Location settings), BEPA should
be selected as it provides both IMM and BEPA capabilities. If there is a
selection for both IMM and BEPA (e.g., notification contacts or issue grids),
both should be selected.
 The table below summarises the main features related to interval metering
that have been carried across from the original to new product framework.

Feature Original Module Repositioning under new

product framework
Automated utility meter
data capture through
IMM Included in IMA
universal meter
connectors
Create virtual meters to
IMM Included in IMA
represent virtual loads
Meter data visualization
IMM Included in IMA
and reporting
Regression analysis for
IMM Included in IMA
weather normalization
Configurable alerts based
on user-defined absolute IMM Included in IMA
thresholds
Daily Dataset PowerReport
(new) Included in IMA (new)

Meter Data Health

(new) Included in IMA (new)
PowerReport
Interval Meter Analytics
(new) Included in IMA (new)
PowerReport
Feature Original Module Repositioning under new
product framework
Configurable alerts based
on user-defined variance BEPA Included in IMA *
thresholds
Configurable alerts based
on system defined BEPA Included in IMA *
performance rules
Meter data accruals
IMM Included in IMA *

Meter data monetization

IMM Included in IMA *

Solar installation and Evaluate current use and

SOL
portfolio dashboards retain/phase out
Building HVAC equipment
EFD Deprecated
data capture and analysis
IoT sensor meter data
APM Deprecated
capture and analysis
Sustainability and Energy Program Reporting
Sustainability Program
Efficiency Program Measurement +
Tracking
Tracking Verification

* advanced functionality that may not be required for most clients

The Equipment Fault Detection (EFD) and Asset Performance Monitoring

(IoT) modules were deprecated to streamline our product offering.
Although valuable for the clients that used these features, EFD and APM
were difficult to scale and lent themselves to more operational, real-time
use-cases which is not Envizi’s strategic focus.

Program Reporting Measurement + Verification is now called Sustainability

Program Tracking and is the third module in the Decarbonization pillar after
Utility Bill Analytics and Interval Meter Analytics.

Information regarding modules and features retained and included in IMA

can be found in the following Knowledge Base articles:

• Interval Meter Monitoring (envizi.com)

• Building Energy Performance Analytics (envizi.com)
• Solar Monitoring (envizi.com)
Value proposition
Interval Meter Analytics is best positioned as a complementary module
to the Emissions Management and ESG Reporting modules. It allows
clients to analyze their data at a more granular level so they can start
taking steps towards decarbonization.

Q: Is IBM Envizi an Energy Management System

A: It depends on what you consider to be an Energy Management System.

Interval Meter Analytics contains many features that support Energy

Management, such as the ability to:
• Automate the daily capture of utility interval data
• accurately measure energy and water consumption down to utility
billing interval periods
• simulate virtual loads for reporting
• identify max demand events
• calculate and use intensity metrics to compare performance on a
like for like basis
• raise threshold based alerts
• normalize data for weather conditions
• monetize energy and water consumption through time-of-use
charges

However, modern energy management systems also include capabilities

that are more operational in nature, such as support for IoT data (e.g., air
quality sensors, occupancy sensors) to get more information on building
performance and comfort levels, and fault detection to monitor, alert and
even predict when building HVAC systems are not performing optimally.

These capabilities were in Envizi’s legacy Building Optimization solution

(EFD and APM) which have now been deprecated. To continue offering
these products, IBM/Envizi would need to compete against mechanical and
electrical service providers that offered building optimization software as
part of a managed service. This is no longer aligned with our strategic
direction.

For these reasons, it is better to position Interval Meter Analytics as a

complementary module to the Emissions Management and ESG Reporting
modules. It allows clients to analyze their data at a more granular level than
only looking at monthly account data.

Some clients may still see value in Envizi as a standalone enterprise energy
management system which allows them to capture utility meter data from
different location types and regions into a single system of record, and then
to analyze and compare this data in one reporting platform. However, it
should be made clear that Envizi doesn’t support the more operational
capabilities of energy management systems so clients’ expectations are
managed.

Q: What type of metering data does IMA support?

A: IMA supports interval meter data for utilities

IMA supports interval meter data capture for the following utility groups:
• Electricity
• Natural Gas
• Water
• Thermal *
• Fuel *

* Thermal and fuel meters are not yet supported in all dashboards and
reports, although we are working on this.

We no longer support IoT data (e.g., air quality sensors, occupancy sensors)
or equipment status and fault data.

For further details, refer to the separate topic in this series on Meter Data
Connectors and Components.

Q: What type of data capture methods does IMA support?

A: IMA supports the capture of interval meter data through the automated
push of meter data files (csv or xls(x)) from external data sources including
meter data providers, BMS systems, partners, and clients.

Meter data must be captured through a connector. Unlike account data,

meter data cannot be manually captured through the UI.

Two universal connectors are included with IMA:

• Universal Interval Consumption Meter Connector
• Universal Accumulative Reading Meter Connector

These connectors are included at no cost with the subscription licence for a
meter. Clients can use the Self-Service pathway to load data directly using
these connectors. For non-standard file formats, Envizi provides a data
transformation service via the Envizi Services pathway to transform the
incoming data to one of the support universal meter connector formats.
There is an upfront and ongoing fee associated with this service.

A limited number of region specific connectors are also available.

For further details, refer to the separate topic in this series on Meter Data
Connectors and Components.
Key takeaways
• Interval Meter Analytics is the consolidation of the following
modules (which are still referred to by these names within the
platform). Note: solar has been excluded as this is not a significant
part of the module.
o Interval Meter Monitoring (IMM)
o Building Energy Performance Analytics (BEPA)
• IMA should be positioned as a complementary module to the
Emissions Management and ESG Reporting modules allowing clients
to analyze their data at a more granular level so they can start taking
steps towards decarbonization.
• IMA supports capturing meter data for utilities through connectors.
For further details, refer to the separate topic in this series on Meter
Data Connectors and Components.