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Energy management: the next stage
30 Nov 2009
Topics: Energy management, BS EN 16001, EN 16001, GHG, Carbon footprint, Environment, ISO 14001
Switch off a light, turn off computers, change suppliers - it's all well and good to strive for improved energy management, but it will only be as successful as the people behind its implementation. John Coutts shines a light on the subject.
Energy management is now ranked as either "important" or "very important" by four out of five businesses, according to a recent BSI survey. And its significance is expected to increase over the next two years, with energy a board-level issue for a growing number of firms.
With the government's Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) (now called the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme) set to impose mandatory caps on emissions from April 2010, including penalties for non-compliance, energy efficiency is something companies cannot afford to ignore. Because CRC requirements will get progressively tougher as time goes by, one-off improvements are not enough.
The survey findings and the impending CRC requirements coincide with the September launch of BS EN 16001 Energy management systems. The new standard allows organizations to improve energy efficiency, cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduce energy costs.
It also meets the growing demand for a formalized approach to capturing and accounting for energy efficiency improvements through the creation of an Energy Management System (EnMS).
"BS EN 16001 offers a structured framework to underpin ongoing improvements in energy efficiency," says Mark Fraser, BSI's group product manager for sustainability. "Often, organizations carry out energy efficiency projects and it is just one hit. But with the new standard, energy efficiency becomes embedded within the culture of the organization. It's about looking for continuous improvements.
"CRC has the effect of ratcheting down year-on-year, so you have to keep improving your energy efficiency," emphasizes Fraser. "Implementing BS EN 16001 allows businesses to manage that process and it puts them in control."
Turning on to energy management
The new standard is designed to complement ISO 14001, the environmental management systems standard. BS EN 16001 provides a tighter focus on the energy aspects than is covered in the environmental standard.
As well as aiming to cut energy demand and save money, implementing the standard can help to insulate businesses from volatile energy bills. With companies trading on increasingly slender margins, a repeat of the fuel price shocks of 2008 could push hundreds of businesses to the brink.
Critically, the new standard commits senior management to adopt a policy of reduced energy use and promotes cultural change. Energy-saving endeavours have traditionally been the preserve of individual enthusiasts. But setting up an energy management system locks-in an enterprise-wide commitment to efficiency improvements.
BS EN 16001 has been launched following an extensive pilot sponsored by the UK Government's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), with participants including Virgin Trains, SKF, Robert Wiseman Dairies plc, the City of London Corporation and ND Metering Solutions, which designs and manufactures advanced electricity metering equipment.
The standard is designed to be as transparent and easy to use as possible. Enterprises that choose to implement BS EN 16001 must establish minimum reduction targets for each significant "energy aspect" identified in an initial review. Organizations must then establish reliable ways of measuring consumption data, such as automatic energy metering.
Ian Richardson, BSI's committee manager for developing sustainability standards, explains that BS EN 16001 was developed by experts in energy efficiency and energy management from across Europe, and that the UK was particularly active in strengthening the standard and its "measurement" aspects.
"The standard encourages organizations to know which parts of their business consume the most energy and hence how they can go about reducing these elements," he says. "This measurement, whether it be through metering or sub-metering, allows identification of significant energy aspects, giving companies who use BS EN 16001 the tools to reduce their costs and take steps to greater energy efficiency."
While organizations are able to self-certify to the new standard, it's anticipated that many will opt to take the full certification route, with regular independent assessments to demonstrate to customers and stakeholders that energy consumption is being managed effectively and - critically - improved.
A certification scheme that enables organizations to be assessed independently and certified to BS EN 16001 is being developed by BSI and a pilot assessment programme is now in progress. A number of organizations that have implemented BS EN 16001 are currently being considered for the programme. Assessments are due to start in November 2009 and the pilot will run through January 2010.
Energy training
The new standard is supported by a comprehensive training package, according to Victoria Barron, BSI's product marketing manager for sustainability: "BSI recognizes that, for many, an energy management system is something quite new. We offer a range of energy management systems training courses for those who are new to the standard and management systems, as well as those who need to audit and improve an existing EnMS. Furthermore, our courses will help organizations to understand the benefits of becoming certified to BS EN 16001."
Businesses of all sizes can benefit from the creation of an EnMS, says BSI's Mark Fraser: "For SMEs in particular, implementing an energy management system sends out a strong signal to customers and it's a vital first step in becoming more environmentally responsible," he says.
"The UK Government is going to have to limit GHG emissions across more organizations and more sectors in order to meet ambitious national GHG reduction targets. This new standard will allow many organizations to understand and start managing their energy-related emissions ahead of an obligation to do so."
For more information on the energy management standard, please visit:www.bsigroup.com/nov09energystandard
For more information on energy management certification, please visit:www.bsigroup.com/nov09energycertification
>>ONLINE SUPPORT
A new web-based tool that helps organizations implement BS EN 16001 Energy management systems has now been introduced by BSI. The online self-assessment tool provides practical step-by-step guidance and will allow businesses to plan, check and review their implementation procedures, with feedback on what needs to be done to meet the requirements of the standard.
To find out more about the online self-assessment tool, please visit:www.bsigroup.com/energyonline
Business Standards © 2010. Editorial produced by Caspian Publishing in association with The British Standards Institution. Editorial opinions expressed on are not necessarily those of BSI Group or Caspian Publishing. Neither Caspian Publishing nor BSI Group accept responsibility for advertising or editorial content, nor for that appearing on linked third-party websites. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden without written permission from BSI Group or Caspian Publishing.
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Question: We are under increasing pressure to comply with a growing number of regulations and to maintain growth - while under greater scrutiny than ever before. How can this be good for business?
We are all in the risk management business. In the current climate, as consumers we are encouraged to claim compensation or sue for damages for almost any negative incident we encounter.
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