ISO 50001 standard-based energy management maturity model - proposal and validation in industry

Different standards drive organizations to use energy more efficiently. ISO 50001 provides a basis for energy management improvement. The energy management standards represent a good practice, but they are not the best energy performance models. Energy maturity models help achieve superior performance. The paper proposes a new ISO 50001-based energy management maturity model which links ISO 50001 processes and Capability Maturity Model Integration criteria. The paper presents organizations that surpass ISO 50001 certification requirements, reaching higher maturity levels. A knowledge base that has been founded on the ISO 50001 processes, Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle and Capability Maturity Model Integration criteria, represents a novelty and a real contribution of the paper. This knowledge base contributes to better understanding and implementing energy management system, since it shows the relationship between the ISO 50001, which is an example of good practice in the energy management system implementation; the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, which underpins all the standards for systems management; and Capability Maturity Model Integration criteria, which can be associated with certain phases of the energy management systems development as shown in literature. The model for assessing the maturity of the energy management system utilizes a combination of different management concepts, which has not been displayed in the literature so far. The model was validated through its application in ISO 50001 certified and non-certified organizations and its validation shows that all maturity levels exist in practice. The model is universal and can be applied in manufacturing, as well as in service sectors. For ISO 50001 non-certified organizations there is a wide spread of results, while ISO 50001 certified organizations' results reveal consistency. The obtained results can be used as the reference for benchmarking studies in different industries and different countries. The proposed model can serve as a basis for national awards for energy excellence, applicable in Serbia and other countries.