Energy use data

Robust local data sets will enable us to know how much and where energy is actually being consumed, shifting us from guesswork to actually being able to understand and influence those energy trends.

Access to local energy data is critical for planning, monitoring and measuring progress. NAGA has been working closely with energy distributors and the Department of Sustainability and Environment, supported by the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord, to access and share energy end use data.

Applying the data

NAGA has outlined the Value case and case studies for the establishment of accessible data and analytic capacity.

A Municipal Energy Consumption Tool has been developed for NAGA by MEFL (Moreland Energy Foundation) to build a municipal energy use profile. It provides a profile of energy use by suburb for households and business across the municipality. Year to year comparisons can show changing patterns of energy use for households and on a per capita basis. Business and industry energy use and trends over time and place can also be viewed through the tool.

View a sample of the tool. (Excel 2003 users require a password).

Communicating Energy Use project, 2012-13

Using local energy consumption data, this project will develop municipal and local energy consumption profiles, which will form the basis for local communications about energy use.  The project aims to:

  • Develop ‘energy literate’ households that are aware of and understand their energy consumption, relative to their neighbours.
  • Inform both public and commercial energy policy and program providers of ways to improve information provision on energy use (including local data and benchmarks) to consumers.

Key stages of the project include:

  • Populating the NAGA Municipal Energy Consumption Tool for councils.
  • Establishing household benchmarks for average and efficient energy use.
  • Developing a communications campaign to engage local communities, including local pilot projects.
  • Developing a communications package for councils and sharing the findings with government and the energy industry.

This project is funded through the Victorian Government's Sustainability Fund under the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord. The project is led by Manningham City Council on behalf of NAGA; project partners include NAGA members, Horsham Rural City Council, Energy Return and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

Contact us if you’d like further information on the project.