Ireland Is Setting World Class Standards In Energy Management

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has announced that Irish-based businesses engaged in advanced energy management have saved €150 million in energy costs – and are setting world class standards. The figures were revealed at an SEAI international conference on energy management standards, held in Dublin ’s Mansion House, which highlighted Ireland ’s leading role in the area and the enterprise benefits being achieved. The conference brought together over 150 international experts from as far afield as the United States, China, India and Australia, to discuss the global impact of energy management systems. Since its launch in June 2011, over 190 organisations have become certified to the new International Energy Management Standard ISO 50001 and Ireland has approximately one third of this number achieving the equivalent standard already. Many of the 65 Irish sites accredited belong to energy intensive multinationals such as Intel, Pfizer, Glanbia and Boliden Tara Mines, who are now sharing their knowledge on energy management with their global operations. Public bodies are also achieving new goals in energy management, with University College Cork recently becoming the first university worldwide to achieve ISO 50001. It is recognised that Ireland is ahead of the international trend in energy management and with the global market for this knowledge and expertise growing, Ireland is winning business abroad. It is estimated that energy management standards could influence 60% of the world’s energy use and Irish businesses in this sector are uniquely positioned to benefit. Brian Motherway, SEAI, commented: “The expertise developed in Ireland by organisations trying to reduce energy use and companies specialising in energy management services, is now globally recognised as best in class. Other nations are increasingly looking to Ireland to learn from our proven track record in energy management, and this represents a real opportunity for Ireland .” Speaking at the conference, Rob Steele, Secretary-General of ISO stated: “Energy efficiency is a major focus of G8 meetings and the implementation of the ISO 50001 standard is a proven model that helps organisations plan and manage their energy use. If we consider that energy management systems have the potential to account for 60% of the entire global energy use, their significance cannot be underestimated. Ireland, as an early adopter, has shown that these systems work, and now other nations are beginning to unlock real gains for energy security, economic growth and the environment.” Maurice Buckley, CEO, NSAI, said; “Energy efficiency is often called the forgotten fuel source because the most efficient and best use of energy means the energy is not used at all. ISO 50001 provides organisations with technical and management strategies to increase energy efficiency, reduce costs, and improve environmental performance. NSAI, in partnership with organisations such as SEAI and ISO, is rapidly developing new energy standards as demand for energy efficiency grows worldwide.”