Implementing an ISO 50001 Energy Management System (EnMS) provides an internationally recognised framework that helps organisations manage and improve their energy performance.
A key requirement within the standard is to identify Energy Performance Indicators (EnPIs) that measure, track, and benchmark their energy usage over time.
But what actually are Energy Performance Indicators and how can organisations set them?
Here are some example Energy Performance Indicators for you to consider:
1. Energy Consumption per Unit of Output
In production-centric environments, energy consumption per unit of output (e.g., kWh per tonne or litre of product) is a valuable EnPI. This indicator enables organisations to quantify the energy needed to produce a single unit, providing insights into energy efficiency improvements over time. For an EnMS, this measure helps set specific energy efficiency targets and track reductions in energy consumption linked directly to production volumes.
2. Energy Use Intensity (EUI)
Commonly expressed as energy use per square meter (kWh/m²), EUI is particularly relevant for organisations that manage buildings, allowing them to compare energy use across different sites or facilities. By monitoring EUI, organisations can identify high-energy-use areas, prioritise improvement measures, and validate the results of energy-saving initiatives. Within ISO 50001, this can help organisations set site-specific goals for reducing energy use in buildings and facilities.
3. Energy Cost per Unit of Output
Reducing energy costs is often a primary motivator for organisations implementing ISO 50001. Tracking energy cost per unit of output allows organisations to correlate energy efficiency improvements with cost savings, providing a clear financial benefit. This EnPI helps companies not only reduce operational expenses but also quantify the cost-effectiveness of energy conservation measures.
4. Specific Energy Consumption (SEC)
Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) is a versatile EnPI, tracking energy use relative to specific parameters such as tonnes of raw materials processed. This is beneficial for industries with varying production loads or seasonal demand. In an ISO 50001 system, SEC enables an organisation to monitor efficiency improvements and adjust targets based on production factors, supporting ongoing improvements without disrupting production quality.
5. Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)
Popular in data centres, PUE measures total energy consumption against energy used by IT equipment. This EnPI is crucial for organisations relying on IT infrastructure, as it highlights opportunities to improve efficiency in supporting systems, like cooling and lighting. Integrating PUE into ISO 50001 helps organisations in technology-focused sectors maintain high-performance IT operations with reduced energy expenditure.
See also Data Centre Infrastructure Efficiency (DCiE): Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Data Centre Infrastructure Efficiency (DCiE) – Assent Risk Management
6. Energy Use per Operating Hour
For organisations running equipment on variable schedules, tracking energy use per operating hour allows a close look at how efficiently energy is used throughout different periods. Within an EnMS, this EnPI assists in identifying inefficient operations and making necessary adjustments, such as optimising equipment schedules or upgrading inefficient machinery.
7. Peak Demand Consumption
Peak demand often incurs higher charges and can strain an organisation’s energy budget. By monitoring peak demand consumption, companies can determine when energy use peaks and identify strategies to shift or reduce this demand. In ISO 50001, addressing peak demand consumption helps organisations develop load management strategies, like staggering operational times or using energy storage solutions.
8. Energy Recovery Efficiency
Energy recovery efficiency is valuable for organisations that can capture and reuse waste energy, such as heat from exhaust systems. Tracking this efficiency helps identify how much waste energy is being effectively repurposed. Incorporating this EnPI into an EnMS can drive greater efficiency by maximising reuse potential, aligning with ISO 50001’s objectives of reducing overall energy consumption.
9. Carbon Intensity per Unit of Output
Organisations increasingly align energy efficiency efforts with sustainability targets, often by reducing their carbon footprint. Carbon intensity per unit of output tracks greenhouse gas emissions in relation to production, making it a powerful metric for organisations committed to sustainability. An EnMS using this EnPI can align energy goals with broader environmental objectives, contributing to sustainability reporting and green certifications.
10. Energy Use per Employee
Energy use per employee is useful for office-based environments, where energy-saving measures like optimising lighting, HVAC, and computer usage can make a substantial difference. For organisations implementing ISO 50001, this EnPI helps track and reduce energy use linked to employee activities, fostering a culture of energy awareness and efficiency in day-to-day operations.
11. Fuel Consumption per Vehicle/Trip
In transport or logistics sectors, monitoring fuel consumption per vehicle or trip supports efficient fleet management. ISO 50001 EnMS can incorporate this EnPI to manage vehicle routes, schedule maintenance, and set fuel efficiency targets, leading to cost savings and reduced emissions.
12. System Efficiency Ratios (e.g., COP)
System efficiency ratios, such as the Coefficient of Performance (COP) for HVAC systems, compare energy output to input, indicating efficiency levels. For facilities with significant HVAC demands, tracking COP within an EnMS is essential for identifying inefficiencies and implementing improvements that enhance system performance.
13. Load Factor
Load factor measures the ratio of average power demand to peak demand, providing insight into how effectively energy demand is managed over time. In ISO 50001, this EnPI aids in optimising load distribution and helps organisations set more efficient operational schedules, particularly useful in facilities with fluctuating demand
14. Lighting Energy Density
For companies in commercial buildings, lighting energy density (energy used per square meter for lighting) is an important EnPI. This metric supports lighting upgrades and optimises usage, which can be incorporated into the EnMS to validate the impact of energy-efficient lighting systems, like LED installations or automated lighting controls.
15. Energy Waste Index
An energy waste index helps quantify energy losses or waste within a system or process. This is valuable in an ISO 50001 system, where identifying and reducing energy waste aligns directly with objectives to improve energy performance. By tracking waste, organisations can pinpoint inefficiencies and implement corrective actions, leading to more sustainable energy practices.
16. Percentage of Renewable Energy Used
Renewable energy use as a percentage of total energy consumption is increasingly common as companies seek sustainable alternatives. For ISO 50001, tracking renewable energy use supports sustainability goals and can contribute to certifications or green energy targets. This EnPI helps demonstrate a company’s commitment to cleaner energy and aligns with broader environmental goals.
Integrating Energy Performance Indicators (EnPIs) into an ISO 50001 Energy Management System is an essential requirement to monitor and control energy use effectively. However it can be difficult to find effective measurements that suit your organisation. The above EnPIs provide some examples you can use.
Assent’s ISO 50001 Consultants are available to help you implement a full Energy Management System, conduct internal audits and achieve ISO 50001 certification.
