Knowledge Axis
Plan:
ISO 50001:2011 Energy management systems - Requirements with guidance for use is a specification created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for an energy management system. The standard specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an energy management system, whose purpose is to enable an organization to follow a systematic approach in achieving continual improvement of energy performance, including energy efficiency, energy security, energy use and consumption. The standard aims to help organizations continually reduce their energy use, and therefore their energy costs and their greenhouse gas emissions.
Reasons for Use
The main objective of the standard is to improve energy-related performance and energy efficiency continuously and to identify energy reduction opportunities. This systematic approach will help organizations to establish systems and processes.
Consistent energy management helps organizations to realize untapped energy efficiency potential. They will benefit from cost savings and make a significant contribution to environmental and climate protection, for example by the permanent reduction of CO2 emissions.
Consistent energy management helps organizations to realize untapped energy efficiency potential. They will benefit from cost savings and make a significant contribution to environmental and climate protection, for example by the permanent reduction of CO2 emissions.
Background
Organizations of all types and sizes increasingly want to reduce the amount of energy they consume. This is driven by the need or desire to:
■
Reduce costs
■
Reduce the impact of rising costs
■
Meet legislative or self-imposed carbon targets
■
Reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and
■
Enhance the entity’s reputation as a socially responsible organization.
In tandem, governments increasingly want to reduce the Greenhouse Gas Emissions of their citizens and industries, and are imposing legislative mechanisms to compel carbon reduction more and more frequently.
In response, a range of energy management standards, specifications and regulations were developed in Australia, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, New Zealand and the USA.
In response, a range of energy management standards, specifications and regulations were developed in Australia, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, New Zealand and the USA.
Development
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) recognized that industry around the world needed to mount an effective response to climate change. It also noted a proliferation of national energy management standards that were emerging as a response to market demand for help with energy efficiency.
In April 2007, a UNIDO stakeholders meeting decided to ask ISO to develop an international energy management standard.
In April 2007, a UNIDO stakeholders meeting decided to ask ISO to develop an international energy management standard.
Method
ISO 50001 provides a framework of requirements that help organizations to:
■
Develop a policy for more efficient use of energy
■
Fix targets and objectives to meet the policy
■
Use data to better understand and make decisions concerning energy use and consumption
■
Measure the results
■
Review the effectiveness of the policy and
■
Continually improve energy management.
The overall responsibility for the installed energy management system must be located with the top management. An energy officer and an energy team should be appointed. Furthermore, the organization has to formulate the energy policy in form of a written statement which contains the intent and direction of energy policy. Energy policy must be communicated within the organization.
Do:
The stated objectives and processes are now introduced and implemented. Resources are made available and responsibilities determined. Make sure that employees and other participants are aware of and capable of carrying out their energy management responsibilities. The realization the energy management system starts.
Check:
An energy management system requires a process for compliance and valuation of energy-related regulations. Internal audit can help to verify that the energy management system is functioning properly and generating the planned results. The processes are monitored with regard to legal and other requirements (customer requirements, internal policies) as well as to the objectives of the energy management of the organization. The results are documented and reported to top management.
Act:
The top management prepares a written valuation based on the internal audit. This document is called the management review. The results will be evaluated on their performance level. If necessary, corrective or preventive actions can be initiated. Energy-relevant processes are optimized and new strategic goals are derived.
Quality & ISO Consultancy Services, Quality Bureau