Step 2.2 Identify energy sources and uses
Following completion of Step 1, you should now have a better understanding of the basics of energy management, as well as the key benefits of energy management to your organization. You should also have engaged your top management, appointed an energy management representative, and formed an energy team. Now, it’s time to conduct some planning to help you more effectively develop your organization’s energy management program!
The first thing you will need to do in this step is to identify your organization’s energy sources and uses. Electricity and natural gas are the most common types of energy sources, but your organization may consume other energy sources such as propane, steam, wood, or coal. Next, for energy uses, you should identify the equipment and systems that use most of your energy. For some organizations, building heating and cooling systems may be the major uses of energy. For others, there may be other equipment or processes that use lots of energy. Associated with each of these energy sources and uses is data, which will also need to be identified in this step (and collected later in Step 2.3).
Advancing from Foundational Level 1 to ISO 50001 Level 2 for Step 2.2
In implementing foundational energy management (Level 1) you identified your organization’s energy sources and uses. You identified energy and other data needed to adequately describe and analyze the energy situation in your organization. You will use this data for ISO 50001 (Level 2), but in addition, ISO 50001 requires that you collect data as identified in the energy review. The energy review serves as a guide for data collection and analysis so you can profile your organization’s energy situation. The energy review data is the basis for developing metrics for energy performance analysis and opportunity identification. It is used for determining significant energy uses (SEUs), energy performance Indicators (EnPIs), baselines, and setting energy objectives and targets.
Advance to Next Level
How to do it
There are three associated tasks you will need to complete:
2.2.1 Identify current energy sources
It’s important to identify all your current energy sources. The most common energy sources are natural gas and electricity, but you will also want to consider others such as steam, propane, wood, or coal. You may also have some onsite energy generation such as solar or wind generated electricity or steam from a boiler or combined heat and power system.
To help you identify your current energy sources, fill out the Energy Sources Worksheet. For now, you simply should identify these energy sources. Later on, in Step 2.2.3, you will be asked to identify the associated energy data with each type of energy you consume (utility bills are the most common source of data). You’ll then collect that data in Step 2.3.
2.2.2 Identify energy uses
After identifying your energy sources, you next need to ask yourself: What are the major uses of the energy my organization consumes? Energy uses can include things such as lighting, space heating and cooling, process equipment, and motors.
To help you identify your organization’s energy uses, fill out the Energy Uses Worksheet. As you did with organization’s energy sources, for now, you should just identify these uses. Later on, in Step 2.5, you will be asked to identify the specific systems, equipment, processes, and operations that use this energy, and you will develop a simple energy balance to help make sure you’re not leaving anything important out.
2.2.3 Identify data needs
A successful energy management system relies on accurate and appropriate data to develop a profile of an organization’s energy situation. Utility bills are usually the first consideration and the most easily collected data, but other sources of data may need to be identified and collected as well. For example, you may need to collect data on things such as production, organizational financial information, operations data, and other requirements.
The energy team should identify all appropriate data sources. These data will be able to help you identify energy opportunities and establish metrics to measure your organization’s energy performance improvement. To help you identify your organization’s data needs, fill out the Types of Energy Management Data worksheet.
Resources & Examples
- EPA ENERGY STAR Guidelines for Energy Management: Contains a step-by-step road map for continuous improvement, based on best practices as compiled by the EPA ENERGY STAR Program. Refer to Step 2.1 and Appendix 3 of the ENERGY STAR Guidelines for guidance specific to eGuide Step 2.2.
- Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) Continuous Energy Improvement (CEI) for Industry Tool: NEEA’s CEI system provides a methodology and tools that support achieving energy management goals and objectives through progressive steps. Refer to Step 3.1 of the NEEA Tool for guidance specific to eGuide Step 2.2.
- Energy Management Package for Small Commercial Buildings: Best practices guide and energy management package for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractors to deliver energy management services to small commercial buildings. Refer to Elements E1, E2, and E3 of the Package for guidance specific to eGuide Step 2.2.
- DOE Building Energy Data Sifter (BEDS) Tool: Shows data on the largest sources and uses of energy for different building types in the U.S.
- DOE Buildings Energy Data Book: Contains data and statistics on residential and commercial building energy consumption.
- EIA Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey Data: Shows information on the largest sources and uses of energy in specific U.S. manufacturing industries.
- DOE Manufacturing Energy and Carbon Footprints: Visually depicts information on the largest sources and uses of energy in specific U.S. manufacturing industries.
- Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Energy MAP: SEAI’s Energy MAP tool provides a step-by-step guide to creating a best practice action plan for energy management. Refer to Step 6 of the SEAI Energy MAP for helpful guidance specific to eGuide Step 2.2.
