How to make the most of ESOS & EAS

With the first deadline for ESOS and EAS fast approaching, COPA-DATA has seen a lot of confusion amongst businesses on the best ways to achieve compliance. As a developer of energy data management software, COPA-DATA chose to share its findings and tips on the best ways to comply. These can be accessed using the following links: www.copadata.com/ESOS-compliance and www.copadata.com/EAS-compliance

ESOS is a compulsory energy assessment and energy saving identification scheme, which applies to large businesses throughout the UK. It was established by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in response to the requirement for all member states of the EU to comply with the Energy Efficiency Directive. EAS has similar requirements as ESOS, but applies to large businesses in Ireland. There are currently no penalties in place for non-compliance with EAS, but failing to comply with ESOS regulations may result in civil sanctions, including financial penalties if an organisation does not comply with the scheme’s obligations.

Last year, COPA-DATA released its own Energy Data Management System, zenon EDMS, to help organisations all over the world meet the globally recognised energy management standard, ISO 50001. The software expert encourages companies that want to make the most of ESOS, to start working towards ISO 50001 compliance. zenon EDMS not only analyses energy usage, but uses the data to identify the highest levels of energy consumption and overuse within both equipment and processes, pinpointing the areas with the most saving potential across production. zenon EDMS can be simply integrated into existing infrastructures, minimise error rates and allows for benchmarking across equipment and organisations.

“Using COPA-DATA's energy data management system can help businesses achieve ISO 50001 certified status, which is more than enough to constitute an ESOS assessment,” explains Martyn Williams, Managing Director, COPA-DATA UK. “Providing the EDMS is valid and certified during the compliance period and covers all of a company's energy usage, meeting ESOS or EAS compliance is both quick and inexpensive.

"Businesses may use ESOS or EAS as a starting point for implementing an ISO 50001 compliant system. Whereas ESOS and EAS are an outline to energy audits, ISO 50001 can be considered a guideline that goes right to the heart of how businesses use energy."