Energy Management Systems In Singapore: What You Need To Know

Overview

Energy Management Systems (EnMS) are a way to help an organisation save energy consumption and costs. With the provision of data on energy performance, the company is able to make significant reductions in cost as well as greater energy efficiency.

What is an Energy Management System?

The Energy Management System is a state-of-the-art major computer system. It enables system operators to remotely monitor and control the electricity generation plants and transmission networks in Singapore.

Energy Management Systems allow the organisation to better manage and improve energy usage and performance, through the use of information and data. Energy Management Systems also allow public and private organisations to integrate energy performance and best energy management practices into their operations, resulting in overall energy efficiency improvements and reduction in costs.

Asides from greater energy efficiency and cost reduction, the company will gain a competitive advantage over other companies in the same industry. Companies with energy management systems will benefit through ongoing improvements and process optimisation.

Having an energy management system also sends a strong message to the wider community concerning the company’s corporate social responsibility.

Key Features of an Energy Management System

Energy Management Systems consists of 4 key features.

Real-time Information of Electricity System

Generating plants, transmission station equipment and transmission lines are all monitored by remote terminal units. Any detected abnormality in the conditions is detected immediately and transmitted back to the control centre for analysis and the next course of action.

Monitoring and Adjustment of Electricity Generation

The demand for electricity is monitored by the Automatic Generation Control which automatically adjusts the generators’ output every few seconds to match the changing demand. The Automatic Generation Control also permits the system operators to manually adjust the output of assorted generators in the system to meet unanticipated changes.

Forecasting of Electricity Demand

For the next 14 days, a forecast of the half-hourly average system demand is developed. This forecast is one of the inputs used by the Energy Market Company to build the projected Market Outlook dispatch schedules as well as the projected energy and reserve prices.

Dispatcher Training Simulator

A Dispatcher Training Simulator is used to form and re-enact scenarios for training the system operators to manage power system emergencies.

Components of an Energy Management System

Roles and Responsibilities

An Energy Management System is executed by an energy team which should include an appropriately qualified employee who is designated as an appointed energy manager. The energy manager should undergo the Singapore Certified Energy Manager Programme (SCEM Programme) at a professional level.

Energy Policy

The energy policy should state the organisation’s commitment to improve energy efficiency and improvement in energy performance levels. The top management should define the energy policy and ensure that it:

• is appropriate to the nature and scale of the organization’s energy usage and consumption;
• includes a commitment to continual refinement in energy performance;
• includes a commitment to ensure the availability of knowledge and of necessary resources to attain objectives and targets;
• includes an affirmation to comply with relevant legal requirements and other requirements to which the organization subscribes correspondingly to its energy usage, consumption and efficiency;
• provides the framework for establishing and re-evaluating energy goals and targets;
• supports the purchase of energy-efficient products and services, and design for energy performance refinement;
• is documented and disseminated at all levels within the organization; and
• is regularly reviewed, and updated as necessary.

Energy Objectives and Energy Targets

• Energy Objectives

A specified outcome or achievement set to meet the organization’s energy policy related to improved energy performance.

• Energy Targets

A detailed and quantified energy performance requirement which is applicable to the organization or part thereof, that arises from the energy objective and that needs to be set and met in order to achieve this objective.

An energy management system should include both energy objectives and energy targets. There should be timeframes established for these objectives and targets.

Energy Efficiency Improvement Plans

An Energy Management System should include energy-efficiency improvement plans to achieve the established energy objectives and energy targets.

Monitoring, Measurement and Analysis

An energy management system should include provision for the monitoring, measurement and analysis of key characteristics of an organisation’s operations that will determine its energy performance.

These are some key characteristics:

• Significant energy uses in the organization
• Relevant variables related to significant energy use
• Energy performance indicators
• Effectiveness of energy efficiency improvement plans in achieving established objectives and targets

ISO 50001 Energy Management System

ISO 50001 is an international standard on Energy Management Systems (EnMS) published in 2011. It provides a world-recognised framework for organisations to manage their energy and improve their energy efficiency.

Purpose of ISO 50001 Standards

• Helps organisations better use existing energy-consuming assets
• Outline and reinforce best practices in energy management
• Facilitates transparency and communication around energy resource management
• Helps facilities evaluate and prioritze implementation of new energy-efficient technologies and practices.
• Provides a universal framework for the promotion of energy-efficient practices
• Facilitates improvements in in energy management for greenhouse gas emission reduction projects.

Benefits of ISO 50001 Energy Management System

• Improvements in energy performance, including energy efficiency, use, consumption and intensity.
• Reduction in energy costs.
• Demonstrates that the organisation has implemented energy management systems and is committed to improve their energy intensity.
• Helps to support transparency and awareness of energy resource management.

Importance of ISO 50001 Energy Management System

ISO 50001 Energy Management System is one of the few management systems that offer measurable cost benefits to organisations. It allows organisations to be more transparent and promote best practices in energy management.

The ISO 50001 Energy Management System framework is widely known to improve bottom lines through systematic improvements while enhancing a company’s reputation.

Certification Process of Energy Management Systems

There are 5 steps for a company to be certified using Energy Management Systems.

• In Stage 1, an initial assessment is carried out to determine if the mandatory requirements of the standard are being met and if the management system is able to proceed to Stage 2.
• In Stage 2, the assessment determines the effectiveness of the energy management system and confirms if the system is implemented and operational.
• At this juncture, reviews for any corrective actions are taken to address the the findings raised in Stage 1 and 2. Certification may be recommended.
• The organisation’s files are then reviewed by an independent and impartial panel. The certification decision is made.
• When certification is achieved, the client is informed and certification is issued.

Conclusion

Energy Management Systems are key in enhancing effective energy management practices while improving a company’s reputation. ISO 50001 Energy Management System is most recognised for improving the company’s bottom lines through consistent and systematic improvements. A company with an energy management system has greater transparency and conveys greater corporate social responsibility.