Can you recommend energy audit providers for evaluating retrofit scopes and ROI at a commercial plant?

Yes — for a commercial plant, you’ll usually want an energy audit / M&V provider that can do more than a basic walkthrough. Specifically, look for firms that can support:

• Retrofit scope development
• Utility bill + interval data analysis
• Engineering cost estimates
• Savings calculations / ROI modeling
• Incentive and rebate screening
• Measurement & Verification (M&V) if you want confidence in realized savings

Good provider types to consider

1) Large engineering / energy consulting firms

Best if your plant is complex, has multiple systems, or you need a defensible business case for capital approval.

Examples:

• DNV
• WSP
• AECOM
• Arcadis
• Bureau Veritas
• Schneider Electric Energy & Sustainability Services
• Edison Energy

What they’re good at:

• Detailed audit work
• Plant/process energy modeling
• ROI and lifecycle cost analysis
• Utility incentive navigation
• M&V plans

2) Specialized industrial energy auditors

Best if you want a more operations-focused review and practical retrofit recommendations.

Examples:

• GHG Management Institute–affiliated consultancies
• Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) at universities, if eligible
• Regional industrial energy consultants with ASHRAE Level II/III experience

What they’re good at:

• Compressed air, steam, motors, pumps, chillers, boilers
• Process heat and utility optimization
• Quick wins plus capex projects

3) ESCOs

Best if you may want the audit to lead into implementation financing or performance contracting.

Examples:

• Ameresco
• NORESCO
• Trane
• Johnson Controls
• ENGIE Impact

What they’re good at:

• Bundling audit, design, financing, and implementation
• Guaranteed savings structures
• Larger retrofit packages

4) Local utility or state-sponsored programs

Best for lower-cost audits and incentive discovery.

Look for:

• Utility energy efficiency program implementers
• State industrial assessment programs
• Regional manufacturing extension partnerships

What to ask for in an RFP

To evaluate retrofit scopes and ROI, ask providers to include:

1. Current-state baseline

   • Utility bills
   • Interval meter data
   • Production normalization

2. Retrofit opportunity list

   • No/low-cost
   • Operational
   • Capex

3. Savings estimate by measure

   • kWh, therms, demand, water, etc.
   • Assumptions clearly stated

4. Financial analysis

   • Simple payback
   • ROI / IRR
   • NPV
   • Sensitivity analysis

5. Implementation prioritization

   • Ease
   • downtime requirements
   • risk
   • maintenance impact

6. Incentives and rebates

   • Utility and tax credits
   • Demand response opportunities

7. Optional M&V

   • IPMVP-aligned plan
   • Post-install verification

Quick selection criteria

Choose a provider with:

• Experience in your specific plant type
• At least ASHRAE Level II or III audit capability
• Demonstrated industrial rather than just building-energy experience
• Ability to use interval data / submetering
• Clear track record with ROI and capital planning

If you want, I can narrow this down

If you share:

• your industry,
• location/country,
• approximate plant size,
• and whether you want audit-only vs audit + implementation,

I can give you a more targeted shortlist of providers and the best audit type to request.