September 13, 2011 at 1:08 PM

ISO 50001, a new voluntary standard for energy management, was recognized by the international community in June, 2011. 

ISO 50001 requires an organization to:

• Develop and implement an energy policy,
• Establish objectives, targets, and action plans, to reduce significant energy use, and  
• Implement an energy management system (EnMS) in accordance with the requirements provided in the standard.

Why you should care!
Energy is a critical component of an organization's operations and can be one of the largest controllable costs.  Improved energy performance helps organizations maximize the efficiency of their energy use and energy related assets, thus reducing both energy costs and consumption. ISO 50001 provides a framework for organizations to make positive contributions toward reducing the global depletion of energy resources and lessen the environmental impacts of production, while improving the energy efficiency of operations and lowering energy costs.

ISO 50001 is intended to provide the following benefits:

• Provide guidance on energy management best practices and good energy management behaviors,
• Provide a framework for integrating energy efficiency into management practices,
• Foster transparency and consistent communication on the management of energy resources,
• Enable more efficient use of existing energy-consuming assets,
• Enable benchmarking, measuring, documenting, and reporting of energy intensity improvements,
• Prioritize energy management improvements in the context of GHG emission reduction projects,
• Provide a framework for promoting energy efficiency throughout the supply chain, and
• Evaluate and prioritize the implementation of new energy-efficient technologies. 

This standard follows the ISO Plan – Do – Check – Act model and may be implemented on its own, or readily integrated into existing ISO Management programs. 

Be on the Lookout!
In October 2011, DOE is planning to release a web-based toolkit, the Energy Management System (EnMS) Implementation Self-Paced Module, to help organizations implement an energy management system consistent with ISO 50001. In the fall of 2011, DOE will also hold a series of four webinars on ISO 50001 and discuss potential benefits to companies.

Resources for Implementation:
ISO 50001 Informational Handout
US Dept. of Energy – ISO 50001 Getting Started Guide

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