Managing Energy More Effectively

DMWW formed an energy team that actively involves personnel from across the organization. The team proceeded to develop an energy policy, energy usage baseline, and energy performance improvement models. To better monitor energy consumption, more than 50 sub-meters were installed on pumps, buildings, and other systems that use large amounts of energy. Monitoring, measuring, and analyzing these significant energy users helped to identify several large pieces of equipment that were not operating at peak efficiency, enabling the utility to take corrective steps.  

The energy team engaged and shared information with all DMWW employees throughout the implementation process and continues to do so to ensure their ongoing support and involvement. A key source of reliable energy data is the EnPI Tool. It has become a go-to resource for calculating and normalizing performance indicators or analyzing relevant variables for individual systems.

Internalizing Energy Awareness

ISO 50001 and SEP helped the utility establish a formal structure to embed energy management processes and reporting into normal business procedures, ensuring the retention and growth of energy savings over time.

Doug Oscarson, Des Moines Water Works Energy Manager, is enthusiastic about the new energy management system. “The certification is a clear indication to the public, our customers, and employees that Des Moines Water Works is serious about good stewardship of our natural resources, improving energy performance, and reducing carbon emissions,” he said. “As a widely accepted international standard, ISO 50001 garners immediate respect.”

Next Steps for Savings That Endure and Grow

ISO 50001 has empowered employees at Des Moines Water Works to incorporate energy-saving actions in day-to-day operations: taking into consideration how and where energy is used, the cost of energy, and its impact on water rates. This increased employee engagement is shown by a doubling in energy-related employee suggestions. In addition, ISO 50001 has directly involved budgeting and executive staff in evaluating energy projects and their impacts. This new culture of managing energy performance will help the utility expand its energy and cost savings to benefit the environment and all its water customers.

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The DOE-administered Superior Energy Performance® program provides guidance, tools, and protocols for facilities that want third-party verification and certification of their energy performance improvement from implementing the ISO 50001 standard. Members of the U.S. Council for Energy Efficient Manufacturing, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) developed SEP as a transparent system for certifying sustained improvements in energy performance and management practices.