How is building energy data used?

Energy benchmarking data will be used by the City in two ways. 

• First, the City will provide the building owner a customized annual report for each covered building that includes: a summary of whole-building energy use over the year; how the building’s energy is changing from year to year; info on how the building compares to others in Madison; customized recommendations for saving energy and the benefits those changes could bring; and information on resources building owners can leverage to improve performance, including rebates, incentives, and financing. 

• Second, the City will aggregate the data received to learn more about our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions citywide and track changes over time. This data-driven approach allows the City to learn and communicate the impacts of the program, such as changes in overall energy use, efficiency, and GHG emissions; identify areas of success, such as particular sectors that show the greatest improvement; and opportunities for improvement, such as city, state, or federal programs that link up and provide additional resources or support. 

This report will only include aggregate information. No data or information about individual buildings will be included except with owner permission, for example, to share a success story.

For more information, check out the Madison BESP Official Website.