DIN EN 16247-1 energy audits – part 1: General requirements
General information
DIN EN 16247-1 energy audits – part 1: General requirements (DIN EN 16247-1:2012) is a European standard and offers a clear, uniform structure in terms of the execution of energy audits (see graphic: elements of the energy audit process) across all industries by stipulating the respective requirements, methods of operation and findings.
Content
By applying DIN EN 16247-1:2012 the current status of the company in regards to energy is established, meaning that the energy input, energy use and energy flows within the company are identified. On this basis individual suggestions are developed in order to increase energy efficiency as well as to reduce energy consumption within the company.
Fig.: Elements of the energy audit process
An individual schedule is developed into which all of the necessary elements of the energy
audit process shall be integrated.
Fig.: Schedule
Context in regards to legal stipulations
EDL law
Based on the amendment of the law on energy services and other energy efficiency measures (EDL law), all companies, which are not small or medium-sized companies, shall be obligated to carry out an energy audit in accordance with DIN EN 16247-1 by 5th December 2015 as well as to repeat the process every four years unless they are able to provide a certification regarding an energy management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001 or a validated environmental management system in accordance with EMAS.
EEG
In accordance with §63 of the law on renewable energy (EEG): “Special compensation regulation”, companies with high electricity costs may, under certain conditions, effect a restriction of EEG cost allocations in regards to own electricity used between 1 and 5 Gwh/a subject to cost allocation measures, as long as they carry out an annual energy audit in accordance with DIN EN 16247-1 (or an alternative option*). In this context, it should be taken into account that the verification deadline ends on 30th June. In case of electricity volumes above 5 Gwh/a, an energy audit in accordance with DIN EN 16247-1 shall not be sufficient as a certification in terms of an energy management system according to DIN EN ISO 50001 or a validated environmental management system in accordance with EMAS would be required.
SpaEfV
Small and medium-sized companies (KMUs) within the production industry have the option to have electricity and energy tax reimbursed as per the peak compensation efficiency system order (SpaEfV) (§10 StromStG / §55 EnergieStG) as long as they verify by 31st December that they carry out an annual energy audit in accordance with DIN EN 16247-1 (or an alternative option*), which is finalised by means of an energy audit report. Regarding non-KMUs, an energy audit in accordance with DIN EN 16247-1 is not sufficient, but rather a certification concerning an energy management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001 or a validated environmental management system in accordance with EMAS is required.
Information in regards to the simplification of procedures for KMUs, which allows for an alternative system in accordance with SpaEfV, please refer to the paragraph on energy management – section on SpaEfV.
Alternative possibilities in terms of energy audits in accordance with DIN EN 16247-1 (*)
- a certification concerning an energy management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001,
- a validated environmental management system in accordance with EMAS or
- an alternative system in regards to the improvement of energy efficiency Annex 2 § 3 of the peak compensation efficiency system order
Distribution of energy in a sample company
