Developing a Successful ISO 50001 Compliant Energy Management Process

Part 1 of 6: Energy Management Process

With the latest release of ISO 50001 and the continuing buzz around energy efficiency and sustainability it is apparent that organizations are lending an ear and considering a number of approaches and options for achieving reduced energy consumption and gain a competitive edge. This certainly is important since the cost of energy is typically one of the top three expenses of operating a business. The ISO 50001 standard was developed with the intent to offer companies a proven approach to develop an energy management plan for addressing critical aspects of energy performance – specifically that which can be measured, monitored, and acted upon.

ISO 50001 is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act approach of continuous improvement. Allied Reliability Group has approached Energy Management in a way that certainly incorporates the PDCA approach while establishing quick substantial returns to fund the ongoing process.

Energy Management R5 Process

The model shown above depicts an improvement approach called the Rapid Improvement Process.  Its design and methodology is used to help companies identify, achieve, and sustain improvement gains in energy management.  The 5 phases – Recognize, Rationalize, Ratify, Resolve, and Realize closely resemble the DMAIC process which is commonly associated as one of the Six Sigma tools which is widely used in many sectors of industry.

Successfully integrating common PdM technologies will provide a company insight of potential equipment defects which if approached proactively will improve work execution.  PdM technologies are also great tools to identify significant energy savings opportunities, their related environmental impacts (Carbon Footprints), and improving overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) in Industrial Manufacturing environments.

Over the course of the next 5 parts of this series, I plan to dive into each of the R5 phases to show how this model can help organizations become ISO 50001 compliant, reduce energy costs, increase energy efficiency, and increase equipment reliability.