How do you verify Energy Management Standards?

1 Identify the standard

The first step is to identify which energy management standard your organization is following or wants to follow. There are different standards for different sectors, regions, and purposes, such as ISO 50001, ASHRAE 90.1, LEED, ENERGY STAR, and others. Each standard has its own scope, requirements, and benefits, so you need to understand them well and choose the one that suits your goals and capabilities.

2 Conduct an energy audit

The next step is to conduct an energy audit, which is a systematic assessment of the current energy use and performance of your organization. An energy audit helps to identify the energy sources, consumption patterns, and opportunities for improvement in your processes, equipment, and facilities. You can use various tools and methods to collect and analyze the data, such as meters, sensors, software, checklists, and interviews. The results of the energy audit will help you to establish a baseline and set realistic and measurable targets for improvement.

3 Implement the action plan

The third step is to implement the action plan, which is a detailed roadmap of the actions and resources needed to achieve the energy performance targets. The action plan should include the roles and responsibilities, timelines, budgets, and indicators of each action. You should also involve and communicate with all the stakeholders, such as employees, customers, suppliers, and regulators, to ensure their support and feedback. The action plan should be flexible and adaptable to changing conditions and needs.

4 Monitor and measure the results

The fourth step is to monitor and measure the results of the action plan, which is the core of the verification process. You need to track and evaluate the energy use and performance of your organization on a regular basis, using the same tools and methods as in the energy audit. You should compare the results with the baseline and the targets, and identify the gaps and deviations. You should also document and report the results to the relevant parties, such as management, auditors, and certification bodies.

5 Review and improve the process

The final step is to review and improve the process, which is the essence of the continuous improvement cycle. You need to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the energy management system, and identify the root causes of the problems and the best practices. You should also solicit and incorporate the feedback and suggestions from the stakeholders, and recognize and reward the achievements and contributions. You should then update and revise the action plan, and repeat the verification process.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?