Energy efficiency leading role for chemical engineers
17th October 2014
Chemical and process engineers are to be given the opportunity to help implement new European Union (EU) legislation designed to improve the energy efficiency of some of Europe’s largest organisations.
The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) requires EU member states to introduce a mandatory programme of energy audits for organisations with more than 250 employees or a turnover of €50m and an annual balance sheet above €43m.
The legislation is forecast to affect over 7,000 UK organisations covering more than 200,000 buildings and 10,000 industrial plants1.
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) has been appointed as an ESOS-approved competent authority – by the Environment Agency and Department of Energy and Climate Change – and has the power to register ‘Lead Energy Assessors (LEAs)’, who will be responsible for undertaking the organisations’ energy audits.
IChemE’s head of educational affairs and CPD, Libby Steele, said: “IChemE is delighted to be become an ESOS awarding body to help lead the drive for greater energy efficiency.
“Large UK organisations account for around ten per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions2, many of which operate in the chemical and process industries.
“ESOS is a great opportunity for chemical engineers, and our members in particular, to support UK and European ‘Carbon Reduction Commitments’ through greater energy efficiency, and to bring around £2bn of cost savings across industry as a whole.”
Organisations affected by the ESOS legislation must carry out an audit of 90 per cent of its total energy usage for a one-year period. The initial audits will need to be undertaken by 5 December 2015.
IChemE will be running its first two one-day courses – called ‘Leading An Energy Assessment’ – for all chemical engineers interested in becoming LEAs on 17 November and 8 December 20143. Registration also requires successful completion of a written assessment. Formal recording of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) will also be required.