Systematic reduction of energy costs | Umweltbundesamt

An energy management system means setting up, implementing and monitoring the results of energy savings plans. Practical examples have shown what potential can be tapped in this area: a construction materials manufacturer reduced its energy costs through the use of heat exchangers by 450,000 euros per year and reduced its annual CO₂ emissions by 3,225 tons. The investment already paid off after two years. A mail order business saved 5,500 euros per year at no financial cost by checking and adjusting the lighting in its furniture warehouse.

The joint publication by the Federal Environment Agency and the Federal Environment Ministry titled Energiemanagementsysteme in der Praxis - ISO 50001: Leitfaden für Unternehmen und Organisationen [Energy Management Systems in Practice - ISO 50001: A Guide for Companies and Organisations] shows how it works. It offers clear and practical help to introducing an EMS, no matter what the status quo of energy consumption, size of the organisation or which industry.

The European EN 16001 standard was replaced by the international ISO 50001 standard in April 2012. It marks the first-ever uniform criteria for certified EMS which is valid in every country and for every company and organisation. ISO 50001 (and its precursor EN 16001) outlines the requirements of an energy management system which companies can use to develop and introduce energy policy, to set strategic and operative goals, and to determine action plans. By adopting the standard, companies and organisations can determine their energy savings potential and improve energy efficiency. Energy consumption can be rapidly reduced, and long-term efficiency is clearly improved. The guide also has a checklist with a tabular comparison of ISO 50001 to ISO 14001 and EMAS, the two established environment management systems, and provides orientation about the correlation between energy and environmental management systems.