Ask an Energy Expert: A New International Energy Management Standard
From the Summer 2009 issue of Energy Matters
A new international standard for energy management is scheduled to be in place by 2011. In this issue's Ask an Energy Expert column, Bill Meffert explains the new global standard, how it is being developed, and how it could help companies worldwide reach energy efficiency and emission-reduction goals.
What is ISO 50001?
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a network of member bodies representing more than 157 countries and including 200 technical or project committees. ISO assists in the creation of global- and market-relevant international standards that cover management systems, product specifications, services, test methods, conformity assessment, and organizational practices. In 2008, ISO designated the development of the energy management system standard, ISO 50001, as one of its top priorities.
ISO 50001, scheduled to be completed in 2011, will be a management system standard that provides an organizational framework for managing energy. The standard is structured around the Plan-Do-Check-Act continual improvement process model that is found in other management system standards, including ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. ISO 50001 integrates both technical and management system elements that are essential for efficient use of energy and improving energy performance. The standard allows an organization flexibility in how to integrate these elements into their company culture.
How is the United States involved in ISO 50001 development?
The United States is leading the development of ISO 50001. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which is the U.S. member body to ISO, submitted an application for a new work item on energy management, and in February 2008, the ISO Technical Management Board approved the formation of a new project committee called ISO/PC 242. This group is tasked with developing a management system standard for energy management. The United States, through ANSI, provides many of the key leadership roles on ISO/PC 242. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funds ANSI's efforts and the administration of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (U.S. TAG), which builds U.S. stakeholder consensus around the standard. The Georgia Institute of Technology's Energy and Sustainability Services has been approved to serve as the ANSI-accredited U.S. TAG Administrator for the ISO/PC 242 group.
The first ISO/PC 242 meeting occurred in Washington, D.C. and was hosted by DOE. This meeting resulted in a working draft document for ISO 50001. In preparation for the second ISO/PC 242 meeting in Brazil in March 2009, a second working draft was generated. The result of the Brazil meeting was a decision to move to the third stage of development, a committee draft, with the continued development of the text by the working group experts. The next meeting of the ISO/PC 242 group is currently scheduled for November 2009, in London, England. It is anticipated that the group will continue to make progress toward the development of ISO 50001 and may make the decision to move to the fourth stage of development, Draft International Standard, at the completion of the meeting. The final two stages of development are the Final Draft International Standard and International Standard. It is anticipated that International Standard ISO 50001 will be available in early to mid-2011.
How will ISO 50001 affect my business?
Currently, ANSI/MSE 2000-2008 is the national standard for energy management in the United States. When ISO 50001 is completed in 2011, it is expected to replace ANSI/MSE 2000-2008. ISO 50001 is a voluntary standard, and as such, companies will determine the value of implementing this standard in their organization. For many companies, energy is an important resource, and they will adopt the standard for the energy-saving benefits. Additionally, companies will benefit from setting up a management system framework to sustain savings. Many businesses will also be attracted by the environmental benefits, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction.
DOE is currently developing a program for industry that will use ISO 50001 as a central feature. The Superior Energy Performance program assists manufacturers in implementing ISO 50001 and committing to improved energy performance. ISO 50001 standards coupled with the energy performance improvements that the Superior Energy Performance program requires will lead to a robust program that will provide real, sustained energy savings. It is expected that many countries will develop similar programs that build on ISO 50001 to promote energy efficiency and GHG emission reductions.
Bill Meffert is Group Manager of energy and sustainability services for the Georgia Technology Institute's Enterprise Innovation Institute and oversees the development, transfer, and adoption of best practices and leading-edge technologies for manufacturers and Georgia business. Mr. Meffert has 20 years of experience providing energy conservation, alternate fuel, and energy efficiency assistance to industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities. He has completed more than 200 energy assessments at industrial facilities and 100 commercial energy assessments at public schools, hospitals, and institutional facilities.
Along with other Georgia Tech faculty, Mr. Meffert developed the first energy management system standard for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI/MSE 2000-2008). He holds a PE license from the state of Georgia and is a Certified Energy Procurement professional (CEP, Association of Energy Engineers), and a DOE Qualified Specialist and Energy Expert in compressed air. Recently, Mr. Meffert served on Governor Sonny Perdue's Energy Policy Council, which developed Georgia's first State Energy Strategy.
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