Energy management systems to save money and environment

by Dr. Srilal de Silva

The major part of the world's energy supply is derived from fossil fuels- oil, gas, hydro power and coal. The availability of energy from solar and wind power is now gaining attention due to cost and environmental issues connected with traditional supplies.

Due to the resulting cost implications, security of supply issues and environmental impacts, energy management has become crucial for the sustainable development of today's business and our society as a whole.

The Kerawalapitiya power plant.

For managing energy effectively implementation of an energy management framework based on standardised best practices is needed and this solution is available in the form of Energy Management System (EnMS) standard, EN 16001.

Energy management is becoming a global issue as effective energy management is a priority focus due to the significant potential to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide.

Today more than ever, effective energy management is a crucial issue for the success of any business. For many, the answer is an Energy Management System (EnMS) a framework for the systematic management of energy. As well as enhancing energy efficiency, an EnMS can cut costs and reduce GHG emissions providing a competitive advantage.

Global energy demand

World energy demand is expected to increase by over 35% by 2030 as developing nations modernise and expand their economic output.

This is expected to create a nearly impossible scenario for secure, low carbon energy supplies to keep pace with demand.

It is estimated globally 1.6 billion people are without electricity, 2.4 billion cook with traditional fuels limiting economic and social development.

It is expected that with increasingly growing commercial energy usage the process will have an impact on economic growth.

Global energy consumption indicate a downward trend in energy usage in North America and Europe where as a rapid increase from 1980 to 2005 is shown in Asian countries.

Global energy reserves indicate 984453 billion tons of coal, 1147 billion barrels of oil and 176 trillion cubic meters of gas reserves.

The depletion of non-renewable energy figures indicate coal reserves will be adequate for 200 years, oil for 45 years and gas for 65 years.

For reducing a nation's dependency on imported energy sources for its economic growth the available strategies include building stockpiles, diversification of energy supply sources, demand restraint, development of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and sustainable development.

Environmental pressures

Environmental impacts of energy usage is directly related to global warming.

Energy use contributes to 65% of global GHG and 80% of all CO2 emissions.

Further acid rain due to So2 and smog due to NOx are features related to energy usage.

These are related to increased numbers of disasters and impact on food production and other economic sectors including infrastructure.

Energy management practices

Current practices include a focus on energy efficiency, optimisation of methods improvement, technology upgrading, application of alternate energy sources, reduction in carbon emissions, energy audits and monitoring and improvement of power factor and energy efficient devices.

Energy management system standards

International, regional and national bodies are actively involved in developing EnMs standards and already European Committee on Standardization (CEN) and British Standards Institution (BSI) had issued BS EN 16001:2009 ( Requirements for Energy Management Systems), which is increasingly used specially in Europe to promote emery management systems.

ISO is expected to issue the international standard on energy management requirements ISO 50001 in 2011.

These will enable organisations to establish systems and processes necessary to improve energy efficiency.

These should result is reduction in cost and GHG emissions through systematic management of energy.

These standards could apply to all types and sizes of organisations and to accommodate diverse geographical, cultural and social conditions.

These could be used independently or integrated with any other management systems.

The standard will provide organisations and companies with a recognized framework for integrating energy efficiency into their management practices.

Multi-national organisations will have access to a single, harmonised standard for implementation across the organisation with a logical and consistent methodology for identifying and implementing energy efficiency improvements.

The standard will also assist organizations in making better use of their existing energy-consuming assets and offer guidance on benchmarking, measuring, documenting, and reporting energy intensity improvements and their projected impact on reductions in GHG emissions.

These also create transparency and facilitate communication on the management of energy resources and promote energy management best practices assisting in evaluating and prioritising the implementation of new energy-efficient technologies, Providing a framework for promoting energy efficiency throughout the supply chain and facilitating energy management improvements in the context of GHG emission reduction projects are other benefits that could be achieved through the EnMS standards.

The main operational controls addressed by these standards are energy conscious design, use of raw materials, equipment, facilities, procurement, operation and maintenance.

Energy conscious design involves analysis of energy demands at first stage, energy assessments at subsequent and relevant stages and defining roles of people.

Procurement involves procurement policies, roles and responsibilities of staff, criteria for procurement, energy efficiencies, life cycle costing and alternatives.

Operation and maintenance address house keeping, operating and maintenance plans, service frequency with details, responsibilities, inspection schedules with inspection details. Change of operation parameters/ change of processes.

It is estimated that at least 20% of the energy consumption in organisations will be reduced initially and introduction of an EnMS in line with international standards will benefit many organisations struggling with increased energy bills which had made them less competitive internationally.

Sri Lankan strategy

It is reported that demand is Sri Lanka's power sector, which is driving economic activity and development, has been outstripping supply and increasing 7% to 8% annually.

Over the past 15 years, Sri Lanka has gradually been shifting its energy mix from hydro to thermal power.

It is expected that Sri Lanka will continue to depend on their thermal sources, favouring coal based rather than fossil fuels.

The EnMS are being introduced in Sri Lanka by Sri Lanka Association for Quality (SLAQ), in association with Systems Management Consultants (SMC) and the British Standards Institution (BSI). SLAQ will act as a catalyst for promoting the concept and SMC will provide advisory services with the assistance of BSI.

SLAQ will liaise with associations in different sectors, chambers and international agencies in promoting the concept.

The main sectors identified under this program are tea, hotels, high energy consuming manufacturing and commercial buildings.

Dr. Srilal de Silva is the President of the Sri Lanka Association for Quality, Vice President of Asia Pacific Organization for Quality (APQO) the Chairman of Quality International Group.