Overview: Comparison Analysis

A comparison analysis is used to compare two streams of data over a common period of time. The results of a comparison analysis include summary information for each data stream, including the maximum and minimum data values and their respective time stamps, the average data value over the selected period, the total consumption for the period and the load factor--a percentage value expressing the difference between the amount of electricity a consumer used during a given time span and the amount that would have been used if the usage had stayed at the consumer's highest demand level during the whole time. A comparison analysis also identifies the maximum and minimum differences between the two data points and the respective time stamps when these conditions occurred.

Why run a comparison analysis?

An energy manager often seeks to identify whether or not there is a correlation between two data streams over time. Although not as accurate, a comparison analysis is a simplified alternative to a regression analysis, in that it provides summary information about each data stream and lists the coincident maximum and minimum differences between the two values. The closer the correlation, the smaller the difference between maximum and minimum variance values.