Comparison of energy efficiency strategies in the industrial sector of Slovenia

Abstract

More efficient use of energy is one of the national strategic issues for Slovenia. The new Energy Act of 1999 requires preparation of a national energy programme, to be based in part on an integrated resource planning approach at the national level. An industrial module was developed to form part of the applicable energy system analysis tools, namely a Reference Energy Model for PlaNet (PlaNet: Planning Network) under the MESAP ( Modular Energy System Analysis and Planning Environment) system analysis package (Institute for Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy, University of Stuttgart). This bottom-up model allows for modelling of energy efficiency measures. The quandary of energy intensity versus energy efficiency was resolved by explicit presentation of a market valuation process for each industrial sector, which relates value added to a physical product indicator. Future structural changes and improvements of product value were developed, based on past trends and taking into consideration the contribution of sectors to the GDP in a “similar” country like Austria. At the process level, two strategies with different speed of introduction of energy efficiency measures were compared (Reference and Intensive) for the period from 1997 to 2020. Expedient activation of savings potentials brings economic benefits and reduction of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Improvements to internal industrial conversion systems, notably cogeneration of electricity and heat, produce a major part of the overall efficiency gains.