New Energy Risk / Opportunity Entry
Assess the significance of this risk or opportunity. Significance Score = Likelihood × Impact. High-significance risks must be addressed through energy objectives and action plans (Clause 6.2).
Significant Energy Uses (SEUs) — ISO 50001:2018 Clause 6.3
A Significant Energy Use (SEU) is an energy use that accounts for substantial energy consumption and/or offers considerable potential for energy performance improvement. SEUs must be identified through the energy review and require dedicated monitoring, relevant variables analysis, and performance tracking.
HVAC & Building Services
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, hot water, chillers and boilers. Typically 40–70% of commercial building energy. Key variables: outdoor temperature, occupancy hours, set points.
Typical EnPI: kWh/m²/yr, kWh/degree-day
Production / Process Equipment
Motors, drives, pumps, compressors, ovens, furnaces, presses. Often the largest SEU in manufacturing. Variables: production volume, product type, throughput rate.
Typical EnPI: kWh/tonne, kWh/unit produced
Compressed Air Systems
Compressors, pipework, end-use equipment. Compressed air is typically the most energy-intensive utility. 20–30% of industrial energy. Variables: demand profile, system pressure, leak rate.
Typical EnPI: kWh/m³ delivered, specific power (kW/m³/min)
Lighting Systems
Internal and external lighting. Often 20–30% of commercial energy. Key variables: occupancy hours, daylight levels, control effectiveness.
Typical EnPI: kWh/m²/yr (lighting), kWh/occupied hour
IT & Data Systems
Servers, data centres, UPS, cooling. PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) is the key metric. Variables: IT load, ambient temperature, cooling effectiveness.
Typical EnPI: PUE ratio, kWh/server rack
Fleet & Transport
Company vehicles, HGVs, forklifts, site vehicles. Variables: distance travelled, load carried, driving behaviour, vehicle age.
Typical EnPI: litres/100km, kgCO₂e/km, mpg
ISO 50001 Energy Planning Process — Clause 6.3
The energy review is the foundation of the EnMS. It produces an energy profile of the organisation, identifies SEUs, determines baselines (EnBs), establishes performance indicators (EnPIs), and identifies improvement opportunities that become the basis of energy objectives and action plans.
Energy Review (Cl. 6.3)
Analyse energy sources and end uses. Assess past and present energy use. Identify SEUs. Evaluate variables affecting energy use. Identify opportunities for improvement. Must be documented and updated.
Energy Baseline (Cl. 6.4)
Establish an energy baseline using data from a defined reference period. The baseline is the point of reference for measuring energy performance improvements. Must be adjusted for relevant variables.
EnPIs (Cl. 6.5)
Define quantitative values or measures of energy performance. EnPIs can be simple metrics (kWh/unit), ratios, or models. Must reflect energy performance and allow comparison against baseline.
Energy Objectives (Cl. 6.2)
Set measurable energy objectives considering significant risks and opportunities. Each objective must have targets, timescales, responsible persons, resources, monitoring methods and verification criteria.
Data Collection (Cl. 6.6)
Document what energy data is collected, how, at what frequency and by whom. Includes sub-metering plan, calibration requirements, relevant variable data, and data accuracy requirements.
Procurement (Cl. 8.3)
Energy performance must be considered when procuring energy-using equipment, systems and services. Procurement specifications should include energy performance criteria for SEUs.
ISO 50001:2018 — Clause 6 Guidance
Clause 6.1 requires the organisation to determine risks and opportunities that need to be addressed to assure that the EnMS can achieve its intended results, prevent or reduce undesired effects, and achieve continual improvement in energy performance.
6.1 – Risks & Opportunities
Determine risks relevant to the EnMS and energy performance. Consider internal context (equipment, processes, people), external context (energy prices, regulations, climate) and interested party needs.
6.2 – Objectives & Plans
Energy objectives must be SMART — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Document what will be done, resources needed, who is responsible, completion timescales and how results will be evaluated.
6.3 – Energy Review
The energy review analyses energy sources, uses and consumption. Identifies SEUs (accounting for substantial energy or significant opportunity for improvement) and relevant variables.
6.5 – EnPIs
EnPIs are defined by the organisation to measure energy performance. They can be simple metrics (kWh), ratios (kWh/unit), or statistical models. Must be reviewed and compared against the energy baseline.
1–4: Negligible — monitor only 5–9: Low — routine controls 10–16: Medium — action plan needed 17–20: High — energy objective required 21–25: Critical — immediate action