Energy efficiency and standardization bodies (part 1 - CEN-CENELEC)

The increase in energy demand, the growing instability in energy supply and the EU CO2 emmissions reduction commitments have stressed the need for an international strategy on energy efficiency and the diversification of energy sources.

Energy efficiency is, then, a topic which can be found at every international standardisation level (ISO, IEC, CEN, CENELEC, ITU-T, ETSI). This series of short articles provides a brief summary of the main activities currently on going by the various international standardisation bodies relevant to this field of interest.

CEN-CENELEC

CEN and CENELEC responded to these challenges and created a horizontal advisory structure (Sector Forum) that can draw from an extended community of experts in a position to identify the standardisation needs in the field of energy management, including its relation to EU legislation.

The first meeting of the Sector Forum took place in 2006.

It is designed:

• to maintain and enlarge the network of partners created during the lifetime of the CEN/CENELEC BT JWG “Energy Management”, especially with regards to new members
• to initiate further investigation and to evaluate in which field or for which subject, further standardisation work is needed
• to coordinate ongoing European Standardisation activities concerning Energy Management
• to organize the CEN and CENELEC response to European legislation and Europe general strategy in the Energy Management sector
• to maintain the exchange of information, experience and prospecting, especially on the initiatives in course in the different countries or at European level

The other main initiative undertaken has probably been the creation in 2002 of a joint CEN/CENELEC Working Group: BT/JWG "Energy Management”. Main objective of this working group is to act as advisory group for CEN and CENELEC technical boards on all political and strategic matters related to standardisation in the field of energy efficiency.

The JWG finalized its activity results with a comprehensive report providing a summary of main priorities identified for standardisation activities on energy management field. In particuar it's possible to highlight the following priorities:

• energy efficiency and saving calculations
• energy management and services – general requirements and qualification procedures

These priorities led to the creation of two joint CEN/CENELEC task forces.

In June 2006, Joint Technical Board Task Force 190 (BT/TF 190, Energy efficiency and saving calculations) began work on the elaboration of standards for common methods of calculation of energy consumption, energy efficiencies and energy savings. The aim is to develop a common measurement and verification protocol and a methodology for energy use indicators. The inaugural meeting of this Task Force took place in March 2007.

Joint Technical Board Task Force 189 (BT/TF 190, “Energy management and services - General requirements and qualification procedures”.)

BT/TF 189 main activities are focused on the definition of requirements and qualification procedures for ESCOs and on the development of a European Standard on the "Energy Management System”. The inaugural meeting of this Task Force took place in November 2006.