ISO 50001-Based Energy Management Systems as a Practical Path for Decarbonization: Initial Findings from a Survey of Technical Assistance Cohort Participants

Heidi Fuchs, Peter Therkelsen (), William C. Miller, Graziella Siciliano and Paul Sheaffer
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Heidi Fuchs: Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Peter Therkelsen: Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
William C. Miller: Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Graziella Siciliano: Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Paul Sheaffer: Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-16

Abstract: Organizations face rising pressure to take action to reduce their climate-affecting emissions (i.e., decarbonize). While many responses are possible, an essential approach—strategically managing their energy consumption as an essential business practice via an ISO 50001-based energy management system—is not yet widely recognized as a framework for decarbonization. This study analyzes interim survey results from 24 organizations (a 48% response rate) implementing a rigorous energy management system, one deployed by the U.S. Department of Energy as “50001 Ready”, to test whether participating organizations perceive the energy management system under development as an essential aspect of their decarbonization efforts. The results are preliminary in nature, given the ongoing nature of the program and associated data collection; however, they are sufficient to refute our hypothesis that energy management systems are perceived by organizations participating in 50001 Ready cohorts to primarily affect energy performance with little-to-no connection regarding decarbonization efforts. Major findings include that participants’ decarbonization targets and commitments are driven by market imperatives (highlighting the importance of ISO 50001 as a management system tool) and that they see energy efficiency as vital to decarbonizing. We conclude by suggesting future research directions to further establish the premise that energy management systems are an effective, efficient, and long-lasting decarbonization strategy.

Keywords: energy management systems; ISO 50001; decarbonization; technical assistance; organizational behavior (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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