Swedish energy manager networks for energy-intensive industry as a driver for improved energy efficiency

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

Authors:
Jenny Ivner, Linkoping University, Sweden
Patrik Thollander, Linköping University, Sweden
Svetlana Paramonova, Linkoping University, Sweden
Anders Svensson, Swerea SWECAST AB, Sweden
Gerard Tuenter, Swedish Energy Agency, Sweden
Thomas Björkman, Swedish Energy Agency, Sweden
Johanna Moberg, Swedish Energy Agency, Sweden

Abstract

While the potential for improved energy efficiency in industry is large, deployment of measures is often inhibited by a number of barriers. In order to overcome these barriers, a number of energy end-use policies is functioning in Sweden, the two largest being a Voluntary Agreements (VA) for energy-intensive industry, an energy audit program, and in addition, various energy manager networks for improved energy efficiency. While the two former have been evaluated and are well-known, the Swedish energy efficiency networks have so far neither been presented nor evaluated previously. The aim of this paper is to present the current Swedish energy efficient network, and their role in the energy policy mix from a theoretical viewpoint. The Swedish energy network, Energiintensiven consisting of about 100 companies from the major electricity-intensive sectors is administrated by the Swedish Energy Agency. Participating companies are all part of the Swedish VA, the PFE. In addition the aluminum companies have an energy network (GeniAl), one network is functioning among Swedish saw mills (EESI), as well as there is a network in the iron- and steel industry ENET-Steel. Results of the paper show that despite the low emphasis on networks as a part of the policy mix, the networks have an important role in overcoming barriers to energy efficiency among the participating companies.