An EMS can be implemented at different levels of an organisation, depending on the size and structure of the business. It can be developed for an entire organisation, a business unit, a facility, or even an individual process or functional group. For example, organisations that have a single management structure will typically implement a single top-level EMS. Corporations with multiple business units that are each managed independently and have unique business systems often find it easier for each business unit to implement their own EMS. Any precedent set by other management systems, such as quality or environmental systems, can be used as a guide to determine where the EMS should sit within the organisation.
An EMS can include processes and procedures to ensure compliance with legal and contractual energy requirements, or can be adapted to integrate with existing compliance systems. Energy performance can also be incorporated into an organisation’s design and procurement practices for new products, facilities, equipment and processes. This could include how energy sources are identified and procured and how the energy performance of a supplier’s products should be considered during the procurement process.
Another scoping consideration is the relevant time frame of the EMS. Specifying time-bound objectives and activities of the EMS over the short, medium or long term can affect many facets of the EMS, such as resource allocation and decision-making criteria.
Conduct energy efficiency assessments
An energy management system will not improve energy performance on its own. Undertaking an energy-efficiency assessment is the key activity in gaining a deeper understanding of how energy is used in the organisation, and where opportunities exist to improve energy performance..
An EMS provides a structure for how the outcomes of the assessment can be evaluated by key decision makers including which energy-efficiency projects should be pursued and how they should be implemented. This includes assigning responsibilities, allocating resources and outlining how cost effective opportunities can be implemented to achieve identified savings.
Based on lessons from the assessment process, companies can set more specific energy performance goals and identify and evaluate projects on an ongoing basis.
As part of the EMS, energy efficiency assessments should be undertaken on a regular basis, and should allocate resources to the areas where the greatest energy performance improvements can be achieved.
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