There are three tasks associated with collecting energy bills and other data:

• 2.3.1 Collect data
• 2.3.2 Assign roles and responsibilities for data
• 2.3.3 Enter data in a central location

2.3.1 Collect data

Knowing your energy data needs is not enough (see Step 2.2). It is equally important to know where to locate and how to acquire the necessary information. Requirements will vary depending on the data to be collected. Energy bills are generally readily available and easy to collect but other data may require more effort. Metering may not exist for some energy management data and it may be necessary to evaluate your metering availability and data collection process to determine the most advantageous method(s) to collect the required data. There are generally four sources for energy data collection and you can employ some combination of these:

• Utility revenue meters
• Name plate data
• Portable meters
• Submeters

Utility revenue meters – There will be one or more utility revenue meters within your facility or organization. Electric and natural gas meters are the most typical meters; there may be more than one utility meter for any fuel source. Utility energy bills should be gathered that capture the energy consumption data for each fuel, preferably over at least 12 months or more. Also, other fuel sources such as fuel oil, coal and biomass might be delivered on an irregular basis over the year. These fuel bills should also be gathered.

Name plate data – Most energy consuming equipment has a plate installed on the equipment, called a name plate that provides information about the equipment’s energy use. Your organization may need to rely on name plate information for the bulk of your energy data. The name plate will typically provide information such as size or capacity and other energy related information. This data may include:

Electrical Equipment

• Horsepower
• Voltage
• Full load amps
• Rotational speed (rpm)
• Number of phases

Fuel fired equipment

• Input/output MMBtu
• Maximum steam flow
• Maximum pressure
• Operating temperature

Equipment manuals may provide additional information about the equipment rating and capabilities.

Portable meters – Portable meters provide the flexibility of using the measuring equipment at multiple locations and are typically much less expensive. Portable meters are available with recording equipment so you can collect data at various periods of time to see how equipment responds under different load conditions.

Submeters – Submetering has the advantage of continuous availability for data measurement and, integrated with the appropriate recording equipment, can provide readily accessible energy information. Submeter installation can be expensive and your organization needs to determine your most important data collection needs before making a purchase decision. It may also require process interruption during the installation period and appropriate scheduling must be considered.

Data collected from name plates and portable meters generally require additional calculations to evaluate energy consumption/performance, although submeters may also require additional calculations. You must determine the appropriate analysis method for the data available (see Step 2.4).

Energy management data needs may also extend beyond energy data to include operations, production, costs associated with the various factors, as well as other financial information. To accurately identify the location of energy management data, you must evaluate the type of data to be collected (see Step 2.2.3) and what instrumentation will be required to collect it. Examples include:

Example Data to be Collected

Once you have determined the data you want to collect and the potential collection mechanism, determine if a collection process is already in place and where you collect the information. If this data is not already collected, evaluate where this data is being generated. Then determine if your organization has the means to collect the data. If not, consider acquiring additional metering equipment or devising another form of performance analysis.

Develop a consistent and reliable process for acquiring and recording data. The energy data management process typically defines the steps to be followed to ensure timely acquisition of accurate energy management related data. The complete collection process includes:

• Energy management data required
• Data location
• Person (by position) or source keeping the data
• Frequency of data collection
• Data storage method and location
• Method of analysis

The process may include additional steps, but the above steps, at a minimum, are best practice. Your management representative typically oversees this process. The Example Types of Energy Management Data can be helpful in establishing your data collection process.

How often the data is collected depends on your organization’s needs and requirements. The benefit of having a formal data collection process is that it will ensure you collect the appropriate data and record it at the necessary frequency. Because energy management is data driven, availability of the appropriate data is necessary for the proper functioning of an energy management system (EnMS).

Use a data recording format that is easy to understand and helps with the analysis process. The Energy Use Worksheet is an example of a form you can use for name plate energy data collection. Energy assessments (see Step 2.6.1) are a resource for other recording forms. You may need to devise other recording instruments to collect the necessary information specific to your organization for analysis (see Step 2.4).

2.3.2 Assign roles and responsibilities for data

To help develop roles and responsibilities for energy data management, the table of Potential Responsible Parties for Data Collection may be useful. The roles and responsibilities may vary somewhat depending on your organization’s needs, but the general method of data identification, description of data sources, location and frequency of data collection, data acquisition and verification, and data recording remains consistent. Ensure that those persons responsible for collecting data are appropriately trained for such responsibilities. Appropriate training may include:

• Meter selection and hook up (portable meters)
• Meter reading
• Understanding measurement units (amps, volts, watts, Btu, cubic feet, etc.)
• Data recording
• Software use
• Equipment/process access
• Safety during measurement or accessing equipment

A Data Collection Responsibilities Table is provided as a guide to developing a sustainable data collection process. Also provided is a Data Collection Management Matrix to document the data requirements, its location, collection details and responsibilities. An Example Data Collection Management Matrix Industrial and Example Data Collection Management Matrix Commercial provide samples using this form to help document data location and collection.

2.3.3 Enter data in a central location

Now that you’ve gathered all your energy and other data and assigned responsibilities for how the data will be managed, your data should ideally be entered into a central location. (ISO 50001 does not require your data to be entered and recorded in a central location.) It is recommended that you document at least 24 months of data for all your energy sources to demonstrate energy performance continual improvement. The U.S. Department of Energy has created the Energy Footprint tool to help you organize your energy data. The Energy Footprint tool will allow you to enter energy data for up to 10 years for the following variables on a monthly basis:

• All energy sources
• Utility costs
• Production rates
• Operating hours
• Building and facility occupancy rates
• Meteorological data – heating and cooling degree days, mean temperature
• Major equipment data
• Submeter data

Making sure you have gathered all pertinent energy data in establishing your EnMS will help to support all aspects of the ISO 50001 Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle.

These resources can help you define your processes for collecting and managing energy and other data:

• Energy Use Worksheet
• Potential Responsible Parties for Data Collection
• Data Collection Responsibilities Table
• Data Collection Management Matrix
• Example Data Collection Management Matrix Industrial
• Example Data Collection Management Matrix Commercial
• DOE Energy Footprint tool

Single license electronic copies of the ISO 50001 standard can be purchased from GTESS.

Site licenses (for posting on internal networks) can be purchased from ANSI.

The following resources provide information needed to understand EnMS documentation and decide what documents and records are needed for your EnMS.

• Understanding EnMS Documentation
• EnMS Documentation Guidance Table
• Energy Manual Guidelines