Do energy efficiency networks help reduce barriers to energy efficiency? -A case study of a regional Swedish policy program for industrial SMEs

RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS

卷:151

Article

Jalo, Noor¹  Johansson, Ida¹  Kanchiralla, Fayas Malik²  Thollander, Patrik^1,2 

[1] Univ Gavle, Dept Bldg Energy & Environm Engn, SE-80176 Gavle, Sweden

[2] Linkoping Univ, Dept Management & Engn, Div Energy Syst, SE-58183 Linkoping, Sweden

关键词: Energy management;    Energy efficiency;    Energy efficiency barriers;    Energy efficiency networks;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.rser.2021.111579

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Improved energy efficiency is one of the key elements to decouple energy-related emissions from economic growth. Since the energy management practices in small and medium-sized enterprises are underdeveloped, most of the energy efficiency potential is left untapped. Studies show that several barriers pertaining to economic, technological, and organizational systems lead to poor implementation rates of energy efficiency measures. An energy efficiency network is considered effective in overcoming these barriers and promoting energy management practices in small and medium-sized enterprises. This paper explores the role of energy efficiency networks, and specifically the role of its functions in overcoming the identified barriers from literature. This study was carried out as a multiple case study including 13 industrial small and medium-sized enterprises using semi-structured interviews with participants from companies in a Swedish regional energy efficiency network program. Results show that energy efficiency networks are effective in overcoming some of the barriers to energy efficiency implementation and that the present functions are effective in addressing some barriers faced by small and medium-sized enterprises, e.g., energy efficiency implementation barriers such as lack of time and resources. However, some barriers still remain as constraints for energy efficiency implementation, even after energy efficiency network participation.

【 授权许可】

Free