Energy policy agreement (EPA) and the next steps

This can be done by means of the following procedures:

• Further develop and implement the measures proposed in order to work as energy-efficiently as possible (an effective reduction of costs);
• Make 'energy' a management domain with ambition, so that it regularly gets the required attention;
• Build an Energy Management System. This way you deal with ‘energy’ in a structured way and a process of continual improvement is set up.
• Bring in own employees so that they deal with the installations in a more energy conscious way.
• Appoint an internal coordinator for everything involving energy.

Engagements from EPA
The energy policy agreement (EPA) requires that the company implements the identified cost effective measures and further develops the study measures. The company will also develop and implement a number of energy management measures within three years after entering into the agreement. In addition, regular reporting is needed on the progress of the implementation of energy saving measures. This means that a 'monitoring' report should be submitted annually.

The EPA leaves you the choice of implementing an energy management system according to ISO 50001 or carrying out energy management measures included in appendix 9 of this energy policy agreement.

Appendix 9 includes three measures that have to be carried out by the company:

1. Formatting of energy policy statement by the management.
2. Appointing an energy coordinator.
3. Awareness raising, provision of information and employee involvement.

Our role in EPA and energy management system
Sweco Belgium supports you in realizing those added values in these areas:

Achievement of energy efficiency measures:

• developing study measures and feasibility studies
• detail studies, design, CapEx, OpEx and IRR calculations
• concept, basic and detailed engineering
• Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) or ESCO guidance for the implementation of measures without own investment
• project management
• support in the construction phase (Construction Management)

Energy management:

• Support in setting up an energy management system:
  - policy statement, organisation, systems, procedures, Energy Performance Indicators (EnPI’s), definition of objectives, etc.
  - formulating or evaluating measurement plans and priority energy measurement points; assistance with implementation of energy monitoring, etc.
  - in accordance with the criteria of an ISO 50001 system or the implementation of energy management measures in accordance with Appendix 9

• Support with the operational management of energy management
  - communication plans, increase involvement of employees
  - monitor EnPI’s
  - prepare annual reports (annual EPA-monitoring)

Versed in all aspects of energy management

• Sweco has many years of experience with energy audits and the realization of energy efficiency measures in industrial environments.
• Sweco is always looking for solutions within challenging economic conditions.
• Sweco’s energy management is mainly in breadth: we cover the entire energy story in your organisation with its various dimensions (managerial, financial, operational, technical).
• Depending on your wishes and needs, Sweco can give directions from the side-lines or take a very intensive (operational) role.
• Sweco has set up an ISO 50001 system for its own operation (integrated with the ISO 14001 system) and thus has experience of the difficulties and concerns during implementation as well as during the operational phase. Sweco was the first Belgian consultancy and engineering company to receive a formal certification of this energy management system.
• Sweco has in-house specialists in various disciplines, so that the best knowledge can be used in the realization of your measures.
• Sweco supports you in all phases of the process: from concept to realization, as well as after-care and follow-up.
• As a study, advice and engineering consultancy company, Sweco has already carried out entire projects from A to Z in many industrial sectors, including the chemical and petrochemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, the food sector, oil and gas, ferrous and non-ferrous, water companies, energy generation and transmission, etc.

Cornerstones and engagement

Energy management operates around four cornerstones:

• Insight: measurements, KPI’s/EnPI’s (Energy Performance Indicators), continual monitoring and follow-up.
• Technical measures: optimization of technical process installations and control.
• Operational measures: optimization of how employees use the installations.
• Organisational measures: management, responsibilities and communication.

Energy management builds on the engagement of employees:

• Management team: vision, objectives, appointment of person responsible, making resources available, regular review and adjustment.
• Energy Coordinator: constant attention, measure, manage and control, communications, etc.
• Employees: raise awareness, actively involve, motivate them and give them responsibility.

Objectives of energy management

• Save money on energy costs.
• Deal more consciously with energy and sustainability in the organisation:
• Create a management domain of ‘Energy’, in which all aspects are considered together.
• No on-off attention, but regular follow-ups: measure, manage and control.
• Create energy awareness at all levels of the company and throughout the entire organisation.
• Strengthen the bond with employees by means of working together on sustainability.
• Making known and communicating results of actions or projects provides motivation for subsequent initiatives.
• Actively contribute to the transition to renewable energy and smart energy systems.
• Share your efforts when communicating to your customers and other stakeholders. They will assess your commitment positively.

Do the exercise
Do you recognize your business in one of the following statements? Then call on our expertise.

1. Energy management is only limited in your organisation and is the responsibility of various people (technical services, building management, production planning, accounting, purchasing) who also have many other important tasks. A global overview about 'energy' is lacking.
2. Since energy cannot really be managed and controlled (managed), you feel that the energy bill is being ‘inflicted up on you’.
3. You’ve already had an audit carried out, followed by an improvement project, but you do not have a clear view of the results, because there is no monitoring system.
4. Sometimes you feel that your employees deal much more consciously with energy and the environment at home than at work.
5. Your organisation and employees are rather sensitive to sustainability and the environment, but this is not yet being translated into action in the workplace.
6. You know that there are lots of opportunities for energy efficiency in the organisation, but many of these opportunities are not being exploited.
7. From a financial and sustainability perspective, you would like to be more actively committed to energy and cost savings, but you don’t know exactly how to approach this.
8. And it's hard to actually spend time on energy management.