An Overview of ISO 50001 Energy Management

ISO 50001 Energy Management is a strategic tool that helps organisations implement an energy management system and use their energy more effectively and efficiently. ISO 50001 was developed by an ISO technical committee and published in 2011. However, ISO 50001:2018 is the newly revised international standard for energy management, providing the most robust framework for optimising energy efficiency in both private and public sector organisations. The system is based on the ISO 9001 QMS and ISO 14001 EMS, and the 2018 version includes clauses that are modular with both.

ISO 50001 Energy Management Certification demonstrates an organisation's commitment to continual improvement in energy management, allowing them to set an example within their respective industries and ensure compliance with relevant legislative and regulatory requirements.

What is an Energy Management System?

An energy management system helps organisations better manage their energy use, thereby improving productivity. It includes developing and implementing an energy policy, setting achievable targets for energy use, designing action plans to reach them, and measuring progress. This may include implementing new energy-efficient technologies, reducing energy waste, and improving current processes to cut energy costs.

ISO 50001 Energy Management provides organisations with a recognised framework for developing an effective energy management system. Like other ISO management systems, it follows the Plan-Do-Check-Act process for continual improvement.

Primary Objective of ISO 50001 Energy Management

The primary objective of the standard is to continuously improve energy-related performance and energy efficiency, while identifying energy reduction opportunities. This systematic approach helps organisations establish processes and systems that improve energy management. Consistent energy management enables organisations to realise untapped energy efficiency potential. They can benefit from cost savings and make a significant contribution to environmental and climate protection, for example, by permanently reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The standard raises awareness among employees, particularly at the management level, about the immediate and long-term gains that can be achieved through effective energy management. Organisations can discover potential savings and gain competitive advantages, while also boosting their image.

Structure of ISO 50001 Energy Management

The structure of ISO 50001 Energy Management is aligned with other ISO Management System Standards, particularly ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Since all three management system standards are based on the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle and now share the same high-level structure, ISO 50001 can be easily integrated into these systems. There are 10 major components of ISO 50001 Energy Management:

1. Scope
2. Terms & Definitions
3. Planning
4. Operation
5. Improvement
6. Support
7. Normative References
8. Leadership
9. Performance Evaluation
10. Context of the Organisation

Benefits of ISO 50001 Energy Management

• Measure and monitor energy use to identify areas for improved efficiency
• Reduce carbon emissions and meet government reduction targets
• Manage and identify risks related to future energy supply
• Demonstrate environmental credentials to increase tender opportunities
• Improve overall performance to reduce energy bills and consumption

Set of Requirements for ISO 50001 Energy Management

ISO 50001 Energy Management provides a set of requirements that enable organisations to:

• Measure the results achieved
• Continually improve energy management
• Develop a policy for more effective and efficient use of energy
• Review the policy's effectiveness
• Set objectives and targets to meet that policy
• Collect data to better understand and make informed decisions regarding energy use
  
  

  Plan-Do-Check-Act Approach - ISO 50001 Energy Management

  ISO 50001 Energy Management mainly focuses on a continual improvement process to achieve the objectives regarding an organisation's environmental performance (administration, service provider, enterprise, etc.). Following are the 4 phases of the PDCA Circle:

  Phase 1: Plan

  The overall responsibility for the installed energy management system must be located with the top management. An energy officer & a team should be appointed. Moreover, the organisation has to formulate the energy policy in the form of a written statement which includes the direction & intent of the energy policy. Energy policy must be communicated within the organisation. The energy team is the association between employees & management. In this phase, the organisation has to identify the Significant Energy Uses (SEUs) & prioritise the opportunities for energy performance improvement.

  Phase 2: Do

  Implement the energy management action plans & act on the analysis of energy data to drive new standards of energy performance.

  Phase 3: Check

  Measure, evaluate, monitor, audit, and analyse & conduct energy reviews of energy performance against objectives & targets, then report the results.

  Phase 4: Act

  This is where you must take strict action, led by a higher management level, to confirm continual improvement in the EnMS and to address non-conformity.