Energy Efficiency Act - the obligation to have an energy management system?

The Bundestag recently passed the Energy Efficiency Act. But what exactly does this mean? What requirements does the law contain? And which ones do you now have to meet?

Germany is pursuing ambitious climate protection targets. The targeted energy transition requires a significant and lasting reduction in energy consumption in Germany. Last but not least, the tense situation on the energy markets last year also showed how relevant the economical and efficient use of energy is.

The Energy Efficiency Act is intended to further promote this approach. For the first time, the Federal Government is creating a cross-sectoral framework for increasing energy efficiency in Germany. It also makes an important contribution to Germany's climate targets.

Authorities, companies and data centers are now specifically obliged to save more energy. The most important requirements from the Energy Efficiency Act are:

1. Companies with a total final energy consumption of over 7.5 GWh per year must introduce an energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001 or an environmental management system in accordance with EMAS.
2. Economic energy efficiency measures must be recorded in specific plans and published.
3. The economic efficiency assessment in accordance with DIN EN 17463 (ValERI) is defined as a requirement for energy management systems.
4. In future, operators of data centers must also comply with various energy efficiency and energy management requirements.

The basis: transparency

We can support you in meeting the new requirements of the Energy Efficiency Act, particularly with regard to the first point. The basic prerequisite is transparency about your energy data. The total final energy consumption mentioned is basically made up of all energy sources, including electricity, gas, oil and heat, for example. If companies exceed a consumption of more than 7.5 GWh per year, they are obliged to introduce an energy management or environmental management system. This must be set up within 20 months of the law coming into force.

The following points are explicitly listed in the law as components of an energy management system:

• Economic efficiency assessment according to ValERI (DIN EN 17463)
• Recording of process temperatures and waste heat-carrying media with temperature/heat quantity
• Identification of measures for waste heat recovery and utilization

With our econ4 energy management software and cross-media measurement technology (e.g. electricity, gas and oil), we offer the complete package for the necessary transparency of energy data. The introduction of energy management controlling is a suitable step towards meeting the requirements of the Energy Efficiency Act.

If you have any questions, we will be happy to assist you at any time.

Important note: This text does not replace comprehensive legal advice. This document has been designed to provide general information. The specific situation and objectives of individual companies are not taken into account individually. The assessments contained herein are not to be understood as recommendations for action. econ solutions GmbH accepts no liability for the use of this publication or its content. The data contained in this publication has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable.