Energy efficiency potentials and energy management practices in Swedish firms

Panel: 5. The role of energy management systems, education, outreach and training

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Sandra Backlund, Naturvårdsverket, Sweden
Sarah Broberg, Energy Systems, Dep. of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, Sweden
Mikael Ottosson, Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, Sweden
Patrik Thollander, Department of Management and Engineering, Division of Energy Systems, Linköping University, Sweden

Abstract

In order to improve energy efficiency and reach the EU: s 20-20-20 primary energy savings target, focus has mainly been on diffusion of technology. Previous studies have illustrated large untapped energy saving potentials from implementing energy management practices in firms. These implementations have large effects on energy utilization and these measures have a short pay-back time. Energy management practices also effect investment decisions and the outcome of investments in energy efficient technologies. In order to cost efficiently improve energy efficiency, investments in energy efficient technologies needs to be combined with of energy management practices.

The aim of this paper is to account for energy management practices in Swedish firms and to investigate how energy management practices effect energy utilization and efficiency. A multiple county case study has been conducted in order to investigate energy practices in energy intensive firms in different industrial sectors. Employment of energy management varies between firms. 60 % of the firms lack a person responsible for energy management and more than 25 % lack an energy strategy all together .The hypothesis that successful energy management can facilitate investment in energy efficient technology is supported by the fact that there seems to be a correlation between the existence of a long term energy strategy and long pay off criteria for investments in energy efficiency.

The results indicate an untapped potential of energy efficiency measures that could be reached through increased energy management in Swedish industrial sectors. Improved energy management practices could also gain diffusion of new technologies.