Sustaining Energy Performance – An Evolving Standard-Based Approach
Energy management in today’s carbon-constrained economy is no longer an academic exercise but a necessity in shaping an operational sustainability strategy. From a solely environmental angle, prudent energy management demonstrates organizational diligence in resource conservation and pollution prevention, especially in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; more importantly from a fiscal perspective, effective deployment and maintenance of an energy management system affords a sustained and favorable impact on process efficiency and operational bottom line.
European Standard, EN 16001 Energy management systems – Requirements with guidance for use was published on July 31st 2009. This standard specifies the requirements for an energy management system which requires the development of an energy policy, identification of an organization’s past, present and future energy consumption as well as the development of an energy performance monitoring plan.
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The underlying objective of this standard is to provide practitioners a common approach instituting systems and processes necessary to improve energy efficiency that lead to measurable reductions in cost, consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. EN 16001 provides the framework which will enable effective energy management. Rather than simply considering a range of technical solutions to areas of major energy consumption, the energy management framework begins with the process of behavioral change needed to embed energy efficiency considerations in everyday decision making.
EN 16001 is expected to play a role in helping organizations meet the requirements of voluntary energy and GHG emission reduction initiatives
EN 16001 follows the proven iterative management and performance improvement process based on the Deming cycle, namely, Plan-Do-Check-Act.
Plan: Define organizational policy on energy performance, identify energy aspects, ascertain legal obligations, and establish energy objectives and targets.
Do: Assign resources and responsibilities, elevate organizational awareness and competency, communicate internally and externally, establish system documentation, and implement operational controls.
Check: Establish monitoring of energy management program and performance; evaluate compliance with legal obligations; identify and address non-conforming situations; perform periodic internal audits of the energy management system, and manage associated records.
Act: Conduct management review of system effectiveness and overall energy performance.
Concurrently, American National Standard Institute (ANSI) is leading the effort in the development of ISO 50001, an international standard on energy management largely modeled after ANSI/MSE 2000 and following the established EN 16001 framework. In September, a Committee Draft of ISO 50001 was developed and circulated to international committee members for comments. To date, over 28 voting members of the standard development committee have provided detailed comments and casted their votes as to whether a Draft International Standard may be approved and released. Energy experts from around the world will convene in London this November to review the latest round of comments and debate various points of views and stance.
Many organizations in the European Union are adopting EN 16001 to meet local regulatory obligations and to improve bottom line energy performance. International standard ISO 50001 is expected to be finalized in the next 12-18 months. Whether your organization is looking for near-term energy-saving opportunities or interested in minimizing long-term indirect greenhouse gas footprint, instituting a standard-based sustaining energy performance management system provides organizations a validated framework toward realization of a holistic operational sustainability strategy.
Author:
Wilhelm Wang is a Product Manager at BSI America
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