Evaluation of the impact of energy management systems on energy efficiency in companies

Energy management systems (EnMS) play a central role in determining a company’s energy consumption and in maximising their energy-savings potential. To clearly identify energy usage, implement measures to increase energy efficiency and incorporate such measures into company strategy, energy management must be a systematic and permanent component of corporate management. When companies manage energy systematically, they can reduce overall energy consumption. The industry-wide prevalence of EMS is therefore an important factor in achieving the German Federal Government’s energy savings targets as set out in the National Action Plan on Energy Efficiency (NAPE).

The two most commonly chosen EnMS present in Germany are the EN ISO 50001 and the alternative system laid out in the German Tax Cap and Efficiency System Regulation (SpaEfV). In 2015, 5,931 German companies operated under EN ISO 50001, the highest number globally. Approximately 5,000 other companies have set up the alternative system according to SpaEfV. Considering that in Germany there are over 70,000 companies with more than 50 employees, there is still room to expand EnMS.

adelphi and its partners provided scientific advice by evaluating EMS impacts in Germany, in support of Department II of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi). Using a representative group of companies, the aim of the evaluation was to gain insight into the longer-term impacts of EnMS implementation and into the energy-saving ability of EnMS and alternative systems.

In particular, adelphi focused on identifying obstacles hindering the industry-wide spread of EnMS and the implementation of energy-saving measures. In addition, the adelphi team evaluated EnMS funding to date and provided recommendations to reframe funding approaches.