ISO 11011 ensures level playing field for air energy proposals 30 October 2013

ISO 11011:2013 – introduced in August 2013, with a framework for assessing and auditing compressed air systems – is being welcomed by the industry for its ability to rationalise and improve compressed air energy efficiency.

ISO 11011 enables industry to receive accurate assessments of the savings achievable by professional management of compressed air systems and the installation of energy-efficient compressors and controllers.

According to Stephen Boults, capital equipment manager at Thorite, that's very important.

"People are surprised at how a free element like the air we breathe becomes so expensive once it's compressed - and amazed that the leak from a single 3mm hole in pipework can cost over £2,000 per year in wasted energy," he explains.

"It's a win-win situation for those companies that implement ISO 11011's new energy efficiency assessments, as less electrical power consumption not only saves money but also cuts carbon emissions too," he adds.

Andy Jones, general manager at Mattei (pictured), agrees: "For some years, responsible compressed air equipment manufacturers and suppliers have been offering energy audits as part of their service, along with data logging exercises and leak detection surveys," he explains.

"However, prior to ISO 11011 there was a lack of industry standards and guidelines, so energy audits would vary. Individual manufacturers and suppliers had to decide for themselves how to measure compressor energy consumption, and what recommendations to make to their customers," he continues.

"Now that we can all adopt the principles set out in ISO 11011, energy audits should be regularised... We should now all be offering similar advice and carrying out the same assessment and auditing procedures on a level playing field."

Boults and Jones find themselves agreeing that like-for-like energy audits can only be of benefit to the end user, and should make it far easier for them to decide what action to take.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Mattei Compressors Ltd
Thorite Bradford Ltd

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