Challenges and opportunities for improving energy efficiency in SMEs: learnings from seven European projects
-
Published:2023-03
Issue:3
Volume:16
Page:
-
ISSN:1570-646X
-
Container-title:Energy Efficiency
-
language:en
-
Short-container-title:Energy Efficiency
Author:
Agrawal R.ORCID, De Tommasi L.ORCID, Lyons P., Zanoni S., Papagiannis G. K., Karakosta C., Papapostolou A., Durand A., Martinez L., Fragidis G., Corbella M., Sileni L., Neusel L., Repetto M., Mariuzzo I., Kakardakos T., Güemes E. Llano
Abstract
AbstractThis paper analyses challenges and opportunities for improving energy efficiency in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by reviewing research design and results out of seven European projects: SPEEDIER, SMEmPower Efficiency, E2Driver, Innoveas, Triple-A, DEESME and ICCEE. These projects aim to improve SMEs’ awareness of energy efficiency and support an effective decision-making-oriented approach to it. Drivers and barriers to energy efficiency improvements in European SMEs of various industrial sectors have been investigated by means of surveys, focused group discussions and interviews. A meta-analysis of the results of the seven EU projects was carried out to discover trends related to energy efficiency in European SMEs; this was supported by the use of a unifying analytic framework that enabled merging and cross-validation of the findings of the seven projects. The analysis indicated, by means of new data collected by the seven projects, that staff training, facilitation of energy audits, development of corporate policy measures and collaboration between SMEs involved in the same supply chain are key mechanisms to improve the uptake of energy efficiency measures in SMEs which has significant potential to achieve higher energy savings and energy cost reductions.
Funder
European Commission University College Cork
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Reference94 articles.
1. Adisorn, T., Tholen, L., Thema, J., Luetkehaus, H., Braungardt, S., Huenecke, K., & Schumacher, K. (2020). Towards a more realistic cost–benefit analysis—Attempting to integrate transaction costs and energy efficiency services. Energies, 14(1), 152. 2. Bagodi, V., Sinha, D., & Naik, S. (2022). Energy conservation in a SME cluster: A system dynamics study. Energy Efficiency, 15(4), 1–21. 3. Banks, N., Fawcett, T., & Redgrove, Z. (2012). What are the factors influencing energy behaviours and decision-making in the non-domestic sector? A rapid evidence assessment. Available at: https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:8581f668-213b-4a32-b968-3f077f238ab2/files/ss7526d495. Accessed 20 Feb 2023. 4. Blass, V., Corbett, C. J., Delmas, M. A., & Muthulingam, S. (2014). Top management and the adoption of energy efficiency practices: Evidence from small and medium-sized manufacturing firms in the US. Energy, 65, 560–571. 5. Blundel, R., & Hampton, S. (2021). How can SMEs contribute to net zero?: An evidence review. State of the Art Review Series, (51). Available at: http://oro.open.ac.uk/78738/1/No51-How-Can-SMEs-Contribute-to-Net-Zero-BlundelHampton-2.pdf. Accessed 20 Feb 2023.
Cited by
13 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献，注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献，订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献
|
|