Energy efficiency and measurements

What is energy efficiency and how is it measured?

We developed a methodology to achieve the central goals of monitoring and evaluating systems. Companies are thus able to actually monitor and realistically evaluate the efficiency of their energy use.

In order to be able to achieve the target set by the German government as part of the energy turnaround, improving energy efficiency is an essential aspect. But how can the goal be achieved if energy efficiency cannot be reliably determined?

It is a paradox: On the one hand, energy indicators are indispensable for increasing the energy efficiency of manufacturing companies, but on the other hand, there is a lack of a generally accepted methodology for their compilation. To make matters worse, there seem to be no generally accepted definitions in the relevant literature for key terms such as efficiency, effort, benefit and influencing variable. Against this background, ÖKOTEC has developed a corresponding methodology based on DIN EN ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems in the research project “Development of a Methodology for the Establishment of Energy Performance Indicators to Increase Energy Efficiency in Companies” commissioned by the BMUB (German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety).

Monitor and realistically evaluate energy efficiency

In order to achieve the central goals of monitoring and evaluating systems, it was necessary to describe efforts, benefits and the interaction between the overall system and subsystem. This allows energy indicators for overall systems to be formed from the indicators of the subsystems. Companies are thus able to actually monitor and realistically evaluate the efficiency of their energy use.

The project was successfully completed at the end of last year. As the project results were considered very important by the BMUB, the BMWi (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy) and the advisory board, the continuation of the project through pilot projects and other projects has been included in the National Action Plan on Energy Efficiency (NAPE):

“A methodology currently developed on behalf of the Federal Government for the development of operational indicators will be subjected to a practical test by means of a pilot project, revised on the basis of the experiences of this practical test and finally put into application.”
NAPE, 2014, page 39