Characteristics of energy audits and certifications. What are the differences between energy audit and certification? Its regulations, scope.
Previously commenting that the confusion generated by the performance and the "Scope of Energy Audits" is somewhat confusing and that we must clarify to be clear about the purpose of the energy efficiency audit on built buildings.
(It should be remembered that the directive contemplates that they can be specific energy audits, or accompanied by an Energy Management System, EnMS)
Definition of Audit 2012/27 / EU:
Cap.1 Art.1 25) «energy audit»: any systematic procedure aimed at obtaining adequate knowledge of the existing energy consumption profile of a building or group of buildings, of an industrial or commercial facility or operation, or of a private service or public, as well as to determine and quantify the possibilities of saving energy at an efficient cost and inform about it;
DIRECTIVE2012 / 27 / EU establishes that:
(24) In order to exploit the energy saving potential of certain market segments where energy audits are not normally offered on a commercial basis [such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)], Member States should develop programs to encourage the development of energy audits in SMEs. Energy audits have to be mandatory and periodic for large companies since the energy savings obtained can be significant. Energy audits must take into account relevant European or international standards, such as EN ISO 50001 (energy management systems), or EN 16247-1 (energy audits), or, if they include an energy audit, EN ISO 14000 (environmental management systems), and, therefore, also comply with the provisions of Annex VI of this Directive, since these provisions are not intended beyond the requirements of those relevant standards. A specific European standard on energy audits is currently under development.
(25) When energy audits are carried out by internal experts, the necessary independence would require that these experts are not directly involved in the audited activities.
(46) Furthermore, a sufficient number of competent and reliable professionals in the field of energy efficiency should be available in order to ensure the effective and timely implementation of this Directive, for example as regards compliance with the requirements on energy audits and energy efficiency obligations. Therefore, Member States have to establish certification systems for providers of energy services, energy audits and other measures to improve energy efficiency.
(In Spain for energy audits we have the UNE216501, October 2009)
The strict and close relationship between compliance with European directives on energy efficiency, the use of energy audits and certifications, the relationship between the two and the enormous improvement and advantages they offer with respect to energy efficiency certifications is evident. of the buildings. In this regard and apart from what we have seen so far, we will find two other regulatory pressures: the Environmental Responsibility Law, (26/2007) and the Draft Law on energy efficiency and renewable energies.
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The real estate certification process will be reflected more or less as follows:
1) - ENAC, (National Accreditation Entity) national body (RD 2200/1995) has the official function of "authorizing" the Certification Entities. (Due to agreements, it could be the case that certification entities accredited by others operate in Spain, for example UKAS (The English ENAC)
2) - Certification Bodies: These are the organizations that audit and evaluate the level of compliance with the requirements of the standard chosen by the companies that wish to become certified ("do an exam"). If it is passed, a certificate is issued endorsed by ENAC (Aenor, Bureau Veritas, SGS, DNV … etc …)
3) - Consultants : A hiring option for the company, which allows for an extensive debate from two points of view:
- The consultants have a deeper knowledge of the requirements of the standard and experience in the development of procedures, manuals and in the same process of the audit, procedures, manuals and in the same process of the energy audits.
- The company can choose not to hire a consultant and with its own resources, prepare independently for the energy audit. The own technicians have a greater knowledge of the company to be certified and therefore can further customize the work.
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ISO 50001 In Energy Audits:
Cycle PDCA, Plan - Do - Check - Act … »plan-do-check-act» focused on continuous improvement.
- An energy management system serves to include energy practices in the overall management system of an organization.
- Consists of the typical requirements of a standard management system, such as quality assurance, environmental management or the prevention of occupational hazards
- Provides a tool to efficiently manage energy use and consumption of any type of organization.
- It is not a tool only to save energy but to manage it efficiently (use and consumption) and establish action plans to continually improve.
- It is based on the same cycle as standard management systems: planning, implementing, checking and reviewing to continuously improve the energy management of organizations.
- It is a voluntary application tool, which is implemented by decision of the organization itself as an instrument for continuous improvement of energy efficiency.
- The Norm has a similar structure to the Norm ISO 14001.
- It is compatible with other systems, being able to be implemented in an integrated way with other standards such as ISO 14001 or the standards, ISO 9001 or OHSAS 18001. (It goes without saying that being certified in ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 will significantly simplify certification in ISO 50001.)
Energy, environmental, social and economic consequences:
- - Optimization of energy use (efficient energy consumption)
- - Promotion of energy efficiency in organizations.
- - Reduction of CO2 gas emissions into the atmosphere.
- - Reduction of environmental impacts and adequate use of natural resources
- - Promotion of alternative and renewable energies,
- - Image of commitment to sustainable energy development, a company committed to climate change.
- - Savings on energy bills
- - Reduction of external energy dependence
- - Reduction of the risks derived from fluctuations in the prices of energy resources.
As guidance documents for ISO 50001, the following are offered:
- ISO 50001 Application Guide (Created in Chile)
- ISO 50001 Guide Requirements with guidance for its use.
- ISO 50001 Guide All its characteristics. (With Practical Example)
There is also a Portal in this regard in Spain HERE and the complete Regulations for your purchase HERE.
I end with a link, a summary of international certifications on sustainability that includes the ISO 14006 by Ecodesign for Architecture studies. I think that more or less, they are what they are and they are what they are and it allows not to confuse the many "quality seals" available today … HERE. In addition, you can find different guides on Energy Efficiency, Energy Audits, the Energy Certificate procedure and more in a post on this website … HERE.
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Article prepared by Luis Ruiz de la Fuente Perera (Energy Manager Architect) for OVACEN
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