scope:

This standard is aimed at people endeavouring to reduce the energy consumption of their organisation (companies, local authorities, properties, energy providers and other energy-intensive users). The first step in such an undertaking, which will ideally culminate in the implementation of efficiency measures, is to establish a system of characteristics. The person(s) entrusted with this task should have a good understanding of organisational processes as well as an indepth knowledge of technical installations such as compressed air systems, production facilities, heating and cooling systems or lighting.

This standard serves as a guide to the entire process of optimising energy conversion, distribution and use; from the decision to become involved in this field and identifying, assessing and evaluating characteristics to planning and implementing energy-saving and efficiency measures. The aim is to illustrate the benefits of characteristics, e.g. for benchmarking, as a decision-making tool or control/reference variable, define the requirements of characteristics and point out the opportunities as well as the risks (misinterpretation) associated with their use. The often complex task of communicating measures derived from characteristics or their development over time within the organisation will also be addressed. This may take the form of a dynamic profitability analysis, which is a more suitable tool for assessing technical improvements than the static payback period method still used in many organisations.