Efficient services for increased energy performance of SME

Panel: Panel 5. Energy efficiency in industry

Authors:
Alexandra Waldmann, Solvera Lynx d.d., Slovenia
Albin Keuc, REC Slovenia, Slovenia

Abstract

Technical solutions are not the key problem for the uptake of energy efficiency in small and medium enterprises (SME), as was shown in many projects. Key problem is to address and motivate SME for long term action, motivation which takes into account their limitations in terms of staff capacity, priority level, and financial resources.

The paper presents a new approach to SME building on communication-based services that empower companies to build their knowledge on their consumption patterns and changes therein. This approach is currently delivered to 150 SME companies with annual energy costs in the range of 90 k to 300 k Euro: based on an energy management information system (EMIS), the energy data is collected from the energy supplier though remote data acquisition and analysed in the EMIS system. The management of the SME is provided in monthly reports containing key developments of energy consumption through personalised e-mails.

A first evaluation gives rise to the following preliminary conclusions: a) a large scale approach is necessary, since SME-by-SME approach will not give long-term results, b) simple services to many SMEs will bring better results than complex services in a limited number of SMEs and c) energy related data of SMEs are crucial for success. The latter implies two things: energy data information and involvement of data-holders is necessary; free access to energy data is key ingredient to create an increased level of energy efficiency action, analysed with view to policy implications based on gathered experiences.

The approach is not deeply scientifically backed. It is an approach that does not build on at theory, but focuses on real implementation. And it has to be kept in mind that the work presented in the paper is still in progress. The experiences thus far and thereby the paper also wants to open discussion regarding public accessibility of energy data from individual enterprises, a discussion similar to that which lead to availability of pollution data.