ISO 50001:2018 – Purpose, Evolution, Approach and Benefits

We all know that there is a need to conserve energy, simultaneously there is also a need to preserve our resources in best possible way.

Energy can be conserved by reducing the consumption of energy, use of more efficient energy, use of the energy in an efficient way, by implementing state of art technology, better operations and maintenance practices and by reducing the wastage of energy.

The energy which we have to conserve is of two types, they are

1. Renewable Energy
2. Non-Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy:

The resources which are used in generation of energy can grow again or say cannot be exhausted after continuous utilization are called as renewable energy.

Examples are: Biomass, Solar, Wind, Geothermal and Water

Non-Renewable Energy:

The resources which are once use and are depleted are called as non-renewable energy

Examples are: Nuclear, Oil, Coal and natural gas.

This all is true, but requires a system to implement to accomplish the objective of energy conservation so is the Energy Management Systems (EnMS) comes in picture.

Purpose of Energy Management Systems (EnMS)

The system which is required to implement, to accomplish the objective of energy conservation, in one way is fulfilled by the Energy Management Systems (EnMS), ISO 500001:2018.

This standard establishes the system and process necessary to continually improve energy performance in the organization of all types, irrespective of its size.The implementation of this standard helps in reduction of greenhouse gas emission, saving on energy cost and a systematic approach towards the conservation of energy.

Evolution of Energy Management Systems (EnMS)

The standard ISO50001:2018, “Energy Management Systems – Requirements with Guidance for Use” is a second edition in series released on 21.08.202, its first edition ISO 50001:2011 published on 15.06.2011.In this series, another standard ISO 50003:2014, Requirements for Bodies providing audit and certification of EnMS is for use of Accreditation Bodies and Certification Bodies.

Energy Performance Approach

The ISO 50001 is an “Energy Management Systems” so here organization has to manage the energy and this standard offers a systematic, data driven and fact-base process, focus on continually improving energy performance.

Here,“continually” indicates improvement occurrence over a period of time, on the other hand for comparison other term“continuous” indicate improvement without interruption.

In this standard thrust has been given onenergy performance is a vital constituent and plays an important role to ensure effective and measurable result in energy performance over time. This concept of energy performance is related to Energy Efficiency,Energy Use and Energy Consumption.

Energy performance improvement can be demonstrated by the organization with use of Energy Performance Indicators- EnPI and Energy Base Line- EnBs.

Energy Performance Indicators

EnPI can be determined on the basis of best industries practices.EnPI is a ruler and a measure or unit of energy performance for comparison of energy performance before and after action taken or improvement.

If any value is attached to EnPI, it is called as EnPI Value.

Examples are Kcal/Ton for any steel industries, Kwh/Sqft for any building etc.

Energy Base Line- EnBs is a quantitative reference; this quantitative reference can be from a suitable time period or operating cycle of organization for considering the data, which organization has generated by measurement.

So, making this simple, EnPI is a ruler and EnBs is a reference value and compare this EnBsreference value with current value and see the Energy performance improvement.

Benefits of EnMS

1. Continual improvement in energy performance
2. Organization become more competitive
3. Reduction energy costs
4. Improved energy efficiency
5. Reductionin energy consumption
6. Increased savings for the organization
7. Reduced environmental impact like greenhouse gas emission
8. Efficient use of existing utilities in the organization