How to collect energy data to support ISO 50001

Energy management is no longer just a nice-to-have. With the shift to renewables, the rising costs of electricity, and increasing demand from modern technology, organisations of all types are facing mounting pressure to use energy more wisely. Whether you’re aiming for ISO 50001 certification, need to meet EED or ESG requirements, or just want to reduce operating costs, it all starts with energy data. Real data, from real operations – not estimates or isolated snapshots.

What is ISO 50001 and why adopt it?

ISO 50001 is a global energy management standard that helps organisations measure and improve how they consume and distribute energy. Including electricity, gas, water, and more. Beyond compliance, the certification brings practical benefits:

• Lower operating costs
• Reduced environmental impact
• Real-time insights for process optimisation
• Better access to financing and ESG-aligned investments

The framework applies to many sectors, from utilities and manufacturers to property owners, public institutions, schools, and hospitals. But to act on energy, you need to measure it. So what exactly should you be tracking?

What kind of energy data should you collect?

To comply with ISO 50001, or simply improve energy efficiency, you need granular, consistent, and contextual data. Not just about overall consumption, but also:

Total consumption with time resolution

• Electricity prices vary depending on the time of day and energy market conditions. Frequent readings (e.g., every 15 minutes) help you understand when and where you consume the most, and how to shift load to cheaper times. This insight can also inform better alignment of energy production (e.g., solar PV) with demand.

Device-level metering

• Tracking individual devices helps determine total cost of ownership (TCO), plan asset depreciation, and identify energy-intensive or underused equipment. With the right protocol support (e.g. M-Bus, wM-Bus, Modbus), this data can be automatically centralised.

Meta information and performance indicators

• Parameters like flow rate, electric load, or peak demand might not be directly tied to billing, but they offer essential context. With minute-based readings, you can detect issues early and respond proactively.

The challenge is how to collect all this data. Even organisations that understand the value of energy data often struggle to gather it. Many existing meters don’t support remote readings, especially those using M-Bus, Modbus, or pulse output. Wireless M-Bus meters have limited range (20–40 m), and replacing every device with a “smart” meter is rarely cost-effective. This is where ACRIOS converters come in.

Why converters are a smart retrofit for energy metering

Converters solve the problem of fragmented or non-communicative meters. Instead of replacing your infrastructure, they extend it with a unified data collection layer. ACRIOS converters are compatible with most meters on the market and support M-Bus, wM-Bus, Modbus, and pulse interfaces. They can be preconfigured to match your existing setup and integrated into LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, or custom networks.

M-Bus, Modbus, Pulse

These meters require a direct wired connection. With battery-powered converters, there’s no need for an electrician or compliance checks – installation is quick, and configuration happens remotely.

Wireless M-Bus

Installation is even easier. Simply place the converter within range of your wM-Bus meters, configure the list of targets, and start collecting data.

Retrofit metering with full ISO 50001 potential

Smart converters unlock a range of energy optimisation opportunities, without touching your existing meters. You gain:

• Transparent insight into energy use
• Easy access to real-time and historical data
• Compatibility with your existing protocols
• Lower deployment and maintenance costs

Whether you’re seeking ISO 50001 certification or just want to run your operations more efficiently, reliable data is your first step – and ACRIOS gives you the tools to get there.