BSI develops new European standard for energy auditing

According to BSI, the standard will apply to commercial, industrial, residential and public-sector organisations, excluding individual private dwellings and complements the internationally recognised energy management system standard, ISO 50001 which identifies the need for clear energy auditing.

BSI said the standard, known as BS EN 16247-1, is appropriate to all organisations regardless of size or industry sector.

Director of publishing at BSI, Shirley Bailey-Wood, said: “Effective energy auditing is the first step towards best practice energy management and provides a powerful means to address energy complacency within an organization.

“Clear identification and subsequent targeting of inefficiencies will provide a transparent roadmap from which an organization can address and reduce its energy consumption and better meet its energy obligations,” she added.

Energy experts, including members of ESTA, the Energy Institute, Institute of Chemical Engineers, and Energy Services and Technology Association, worked with BSI and contributed to the development of BS EN 16247-1.

Professor Martin Fry, visiting professor at City University, London, and convenor of the European working group that created BS EN 16247-1 said: “Understanding how energy is used and improving efficiency of that use are key parts of an energy management programme, within an organisation. The energy audit is the hub of this understanding and subsequent focus on measures for improvement.

“For many years there has been a range of interpretations of this process, and the new standard is welcomed internationally in ensuring a consistent and reliable approach, such that recommendations can be implemented with total confidence”.

Leigh Stringer