Slovakian Energy Centers’ Role in Pilot Deployment: ECN’s Strategies for Baseline Analysis

Energy Centre Bratislava (ECN) plays a key role in the FORTESIE project, particularly in testing, adapting, and replicating services originally developed in other participating countries.

A major part of ECN’s contribution as an EPC consultant lies in conducting baseline analysis, an essential step in implementing Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) projects. A properly established baseline defines a building’s initial energy performance before any retrofit or renovation measures are introduced and is crucial for accurately calculating future savings.

The process begins with a detailed initial assessment—collecting and evaluating all relevant consumption data, including historical energy records, building documentation, operational schedules, and information about installed technologies. However, developing a reliable baseline is much more than a technical task. It also requires a deep understanding of the building’s real-life operation. ECN therefore examines the performance of heating, ventilation, cooling, and lighting systems, identifies inefficiencies or outdated components, and assesses actual operational conditions. Equally important is understanding user behavior. How people live, work, and interact with the building has a direct impact on energy consumption, and their habits must be reflected in the baseline to ensure its accuracy.

Through this comprehensive approach—fully in line with the FORTESIE methodology—ECN ensures that each baseline accurately represents the building’s actual performance. This provides a solid foundation for successful EPC projects and supports long-term energy efficiency improvements.