Energy audit: consider the option of ISO 50001 certification!
The legal obligation to carry out an energy audit, a transposition of European Directive 2012/27/EU on energy transition, concerns all companies:
- with more than 250 employees ;
- with sales in excess of €50 million;
- and a balance sheet in excess of €43 million.
These provisions are detailed in Decree 2013-1121(link) of December 4, 2013. The NF EN 16247 series of standards governs the implementation of this energy audit, which consists of a methodical examination and analysis of the use and energy consumption of a site, building or organization. Its findings should help identify potential for improving energy efficiency.
ISO 50001-certified companies exempt from audits
The only exception: holding ISO 50001 certification exempts you from carrying out this audit. Companies have a choice,” explains Pascal Thomas, energy auditor at AFNOR Certification. The audit provides an overall view, with a comprehensive report on energy consumption and potential for improvement. Certification goes further. It establishes a global management system, involving the entire company and structuring the approach. Certification transforms a legal obligation into a voluntary, long-term approach, based on the principle of continuous improvement. It guarantees gains over time. ”
The results of this approach are promising
Maintenance, purchasing… all company departments are concerned by this new managerial practice. On average, energy bills are reduced by 10%, or even 25% in some cases, according to the AFNOR Certification study conducted in 2014 among 54 ISO 50001-certified organizations. Over 25% of them obtained the certificate in less than 6 months. 63% in less than a year. The return on investment is immediate: less than 4 years for 94% of companies. In one out of five cases, the expenses incurred even pay for themselves within the year.
Réunion’s Roland Garros airport, which has ISO 50001 certification, is a case in point. In early 2013, an initial energy performance audit revealed that consumption could be reduced by 30%. We then listed around a hundred actions, notably on air conditioning and lighting,” explains Marc Delanoë, the site’s environment and energy manager. First idea: couple these two uses with actual airport activity. For example, the air conditioning is switched on 30 minutes before the first flight of the day, switched off 30 minutes after the last, and reduced at off-peak times. In 2014, these common-sense measures reduced energy consumption in the passenger terminal by 7%, and by 4.5% across the platform as a whole. ”
The same applies to pharmaceutical equipment supplier Merck-Millipore, based in Molsheim. The Merck Group has set itself the target of reducing its CO² emissions by 20% by 2020,” stresses Arnaud Gerardin, Facilities Manager. For Molsheim, this target has already been met since the end of 2013. Obtaining ISO 50001 Level 1 certification for the site has enabled the Energy Savings Certificates for energy-saving projects to be increased (x 1.5).”
For his part, the Executive Director of Carrefour France welcomes the collective aspect of the approach: ” I salute the involvement of our employees and encourage them to continue their efforts in the fight against energy waste”.
ENERGY AUDIT OR CERTIFICATION: THE CHOICE MUST BE MADE QUICKLY
AFNOR Certification is on hand to certify companies’ compliance with ISO 50001 requirements. Qualification certificates can also be issued, which are essential if an external service provider is to carry out an energy audit. Steps to be taken now to comply with legal deadlines.[/vc_column_text]
