The ISO 50001:2018 and its implementation Part I

Requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an energy management system (EnMS) according to the version of 2018. The intended post is to help  organizations to follow a systematic approach in achieving continual improvement of energy performance and the EnMS.

1. Enter all measured energy quantities in kWh. The consistent specification in kWh enables us to determine the total energy consumption across different units of measurement BUT conversions contain errors!!! Make sure you are using the correct conversion factor. This may seem trivial, but it is one of the most common sources of error.

2. If you cannot determine energy quantities by measuring them, use then reliably estimates. Estimates should be based on:

–– empirical values,

–– researched industry-specific values,

–– values measured in a specific representative period which can be then extrapolated.

Estimates that show a large degree of variance are not applicable. 20% to 40% fluctuation range is no longer reliable estimates. Think about how you can reasonably limit this range.

3. Don't forget consumers in administration, e.g. PC systems. Reliable energy consumption can be taken as empirical values from the Internet. Lighting should be reported separately as energy consumption.

4. Measurements require measuring technology that is suitable for this purpose. Suitability means:

–– the measurement technology is designed appropriately for the accuracy class

–– the measurement technology is subject to calibration or verification

–– the measurement method has been chosen appropriately

5. The accuracy class of a measuring instrument must be specified consistently. Measurements must already be available for an energy audit. Intended and measurements terminated in the future are not acceptable. Create a clear measurement concept. Setting meters everywhere is also counterproductive like not measuring anything.

6. If you have made calculations of energy consumption or estimates, you should record the calculation method or the route to the estimate. Not infrequently calculated or estimated values cannot be explained later.

7. Energy consumption fluctuates during different years. If you don't have any written interpretations, operational disruptions, or special events, it will be no more understandable in the future. Therefore, you should better try to explain positive as well as negative fluctuations in energy consumption promptly and report them written.

8. Compare these consumptions with the base year. The base year (baseline) should be highly representative. No reasonable comparisons are possible when energy consumption due to renovation work or procurement of new technology has been loaded or relieved.