An Update on the Implementation of ISO 50001 and the Superior Energy Performance Program at Water and Wastewater Facilities

Energy can account for over 10% of a local government’s annual operating budget. The water and wastewater treatment sector consumes a significant portion of this energy. Nationally, the energy consumed by water and wastewater utilities account for 35% of typical US municipal energy budgets. Superior Energy Performance (SEP) is a US DOE program that recognizes excellence in energy management and continual energy performance improvement. Built on a foundation of third-party certification to the ISO 50001-energy management system standard, with the addition of energy performance improvement requirements, SEP provides organizations the focus and framework to achieve significant and lasting energy savings. An ISO 50001 energy management system elevates and integrates energy into management structure of an organization, as has happened for safety and quality and is now happening with asset management: connecting staff from the boardroom to the operations floor, bringing organizational change to the corporate culture. 

Proven within the manufacturing component of the industrial sector, SEP leads to deeper, sustained savings with advanced tools and credible, third-party verification by an ANSI-ANAB accredited entity. Over 28 industrial facilities are currently certified in the SEP program, finding value in the robust, data driven energy performance improvement result that the SEP program delivers. Analysis from the industrial sector shows a highly attractive return on investment, significant energy and energy cost savings, and many non-energy benefits.

The US DOE is bringing the benefits of SEP to the water and wastewater treatment sector through a pilot program involving seven water and wastewater treatment agencies. These agencies are participating in a co-learning cohort that is educating them on ISO 50001 and SEP while providing a forum for information and best practice sharing. In addition, by working with this sector, SEP will develop the relevant metrics and protocols for a sector with which it is less familiar. The expectation is that SEP can be configured to yield value in a more specific manner to this sector. The process of gaining previously unknown, sector-specific information can serve as a model for SEP program staff as they extend into different industrial/economic sectors. Presented are findings to date from the cohort members’ experience and lessons learned that could be applied to other water and wastewater facilities looking to implement ISO 50001 and SEP.