Overview
ISO 11011:2013 - Compressed air - Energy efficiency - Assessment defines requirements for conducting and reporting a comprehensive compressed air system assessment. The standard treats a compressed air installation as three functional subsystems - supply, transmission, and demand - and covers the full energy chain from primary energy input to the useful work performed. ISO 11011:2013 sets expectations for measurement, analysis, documentation, roles and responsibilities, and identification of energy-saving opportunities in compressed air systems.
Key topics and requirements
- Three-subsystem model: Assessments must consider supply (generation), transmission (distribution), and demand (end uses and waste).
- Roles and responsibilities: Identification of the assessment team, site management support, access to equipment and data, and communications.
- Measurement parameters: Requirements for measuring and determining pressure, flow rate, power, and system volume.
- Baseline and data logging: Guidance on selecting baseline periods and duration of monitoring to produce representative demand and energy profiles.
- Data analysis: Methods for developing baseline profiles, pressure and demand profiles, identifying critical air demands, and quantifying compressed air waste.
- Reporting and documentation: Structured reporting of findings, confidentiality considerations, and presentation of estimated energy savings and recommended actions.
- Opportunity identification: Analysis-led recommendations including optimized air treatment, reduced operating pressure, maintenance improvements, and heat recovery options.
- Competence and verification: Identification of required assessor competencies and provisions for third‑party review of assessment data.
Applications and users
ISO 11011:2013 is practical for organizations that use compressed air in manufacturing, processing, utilities, or facilities management and want to improve system energy efficiency. Typical users include:
- Energy managers and sustainability teams
- Maintenance and reliability engineers
- Compressed air system designers and consultants
- Facility managers and plant engineers
- Third‑party auditors performing energy assessments
Common applications:
- System audits to reduce energy costs and compressed air waste
- Baseline measurement to support energy management programs
- Prioritizing retrofit or process changes (leaks, storage, control strategy)
- Quantifying opportunity and payback for efficiency projects
Related standards and integration
ISO 11011:2013 complements organizational energy management practices and can be integrated into broader energy-efficiency programs. It provides the technical assessment underpinning for energy-saving projects and supports evidence-based decision making for compressed air system optimization.
