Energy Consultancy in a Cross-National Comparison: A central, additive or superfluous measure to promote energy savings in the housing sector?

Panel: Panel 2: Programme Evaluation

Authors:
Inger-Marie Christensen, Amternes og Kommunernes Forskningsinstitut
Stefan Rieder and Klaus Wortmann, Forschungsgesellschaft fr umweltschonende Energieumwandlung und -nutzung mbH

Abstract

In a cross-national research project, the existing experiences with energy consultancy schemes in Denmark and Germany (especially the state of Schleswig-Holstein) were compared and evaluated regarding objective and organisation, process, product and effects of the schemes. Three different types of energy consultancy schemes in Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein could be distinguished: general advising in agencies (voluntary), voluntary specialised on-site audits and mandatory specialised on-site audits. The evaluation results showed that the effects of these schemes vary with the type of counselling. None of the existmg consultancy schemes in both regions fulfils all needs regardmg availability, saved energy per household, total saved energy, and-cost benefit ratios. Additionally, a clear lack of taking consumer? attitudes, behaviour and needs mto consideration was obvious. Thus, the central role which energy consultancy can play within national or regional energy conservation scenarios as a means for the realisation of existing technical savings potentials in the housing sector was not reflected by the actual energy policies in both countries. Energy pohcy recommendations concern the top-down as well as the bottom-up perspective. From a top-down view, suggestions for the process of developing energy consultancy schemes could be derived. However, a bottom-up organisation of energy consultancy schemes should also be attempted, because it provides possibly a better chance for the creation of a more consumer-oriented form of counselling. A model for such bottom-up organisation is also described. In sum, many suggestions for improvements of the existing schemes could be derived, which may allow energy consultancy schemes to be a valuable additrve measure to promote energy savings in the housing sector.