Energy efficiency measures: the next generation

Panel: 1. Programmes to promote industrial energy efficiency

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Christiaan Abeelen, NL Agency, The Netherlands
Dirk Both, NL Agency, The Netherlands

Abstract

Government and industrial partners agree on the idea that energy saving is beneficial for companies and for sustainable economic development. Still, it is challenging to achieve substantial extra savings over a longer span of time.

The first steps are normally easy. Simple measures like process optimization or energy management can yield small savings in every company. Experiences in Dutch LTA’s prove that constant attention generates new possibilities after a few years: ‘low-hanging fruit’ grows back.

To achieve more radical savings though, it is necessary to make more significant changes in process design, steps that are not easily taken if one only looks for short term gains. Recent economic developments make progress even harder, with companies struggling to survive and government funding declining. A new approach is needed. Roadmaps, with a time span of 20 years show the way. These roadmaps sketch the energy future of a specific sector. They describe what is needed to achieve savings up to 50%. Together, companies and government identify bottlenecks. These are the base for a research and development agenda. Plausible solutions that need some support from the government in overcoming bottlenecks may lead to Green Deals. The idea is that long-term research agendas are translated into concrete actions in company plans. The paper shows the first experiences with this approach, how roadmaps may reinforce each other and how the policy instruments in the Netherlands work in innovation and deployment of energy efficient options in industry.