The Regulation on energy management in the public sector requires the establishment of an energy management system. It makes sense to set up similar systems in companies. Article 2 of the Regulation also requires the establishment of an energy management system for buildings owned by public institutions of which the Republic of Slovenia is the founder and where the useful floor area of each building exceeds 250 m2. In Article 5, the Regulation also prescribes the content of energy management, the energy management system includes:

• the implementation of energy accounting;
• the definition and implementation of measures to increase energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources;
• reporting to the responsible person of the obliged person on energy consumption, related costs and the implementation of the measures referred to in the previous indent.

The Regulation also lists organisational and maintenance measures among the energy efficiency measures in Article 7 and mandatory energy metering for public buildings in Article 8.

In accordance with the legal obligations, in 2017 UL established an energy management system and appointed IRI UL as the responsible person/organisation and its role in the hierarchical structure of UL – the Energy Manager of UL. The Institute is responsible for the implementation of the “Energy Strategy of UL”, for the implementation of the activities set out in the “Energy Concept of UL”, for the monitoring of energy consumption through the relevant “Energy Information System of UL”, for the implementation of activities for the efficient energy management in the buildings of UL, and for the preparation of the data and the relevant documentation for the energy renovation of the buildings of UL.

Energy management is a set of services that are defined in the UL Energy Strategy, the implemented Action Plans and the Regulation on Energy Management in the Public Sector. The energy management system establishes a process of continuous monitoring of energy use and energy costs, including relevant analyses and proposals for action to reduce energy use while ensuring adequate comfort in buildings. The energy management activities relate to the UL level and to the individual faculties and include both the management of the “UL Energy Information System” and the efficient management of energy in UL buildings.

Energy saving measures can typically reduce energy use, energy costs and environmental impact, while ensuring a better quality, healthier and more productive indoor environment. From a cost point of view, it is interesting to note that a €1 saving in energy has a similar impact as a €20 increase in the institution’s revenue. Saving measures are linked to the monitoring of energy consumption and the introduction of so-called soft energy efficiency measures (organisational measures and behavioural changes to achieve 10% energy savings). We are talking about the installation of an active energy management system (SIS EN ISO 50001 standard) and, in addition to the organisational aspects, influencing the building users or implementing soft energy saving measures.

We help organisations set up energy management systems. We can help with plans to measure savings, advise on setting up metering systems and higher level energy management systems. We can help with multi-channel targeted campaigns to change the way buildings are used.