Abstract
Few small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have undertaken an energy audit to date and even fewer have taken action to implement energy-saving measures. Lack of time, knowledge, and finance, coupled with the low priority that SMEs give to energy management, are the most commonly cited barriers to effective energy management in SMEs. Four projects funded by Horizon 2020 (SPEEDIER, SMEmPower Efficiency, E2DRIVER, and Innoveas) have developed innovative capacity-building programmes designed to eliminate these barriers and encourage SMEs to undertake energy audits and implement the recommended energy efficiency measures. This paper presents an overview of the innovations being tested and suggests a series of policy recommendations that could help to drive uptake of energy audits in SMEs.
Highlights
Article 8 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) includes a requirement for Member States to develop programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that encourage them to undertake energy audits and implement the identified energy efficiency measures [1]
INNOVEAS is an initiative promoted by 10 partners from six EU countries with the purpose of creating a capacity-building program that removes the main non-technical barriers that often hinder the adoption of energy audits by SMEs
The objective of the project is to consolidate a structured, permanent, and expandable training offer that will contribute to the development of self-sustainable services and awareness raising, and build capacity in the field of energy auditing and related energy efficiency measures in SMEs
Summary
Article 8 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) includes a requirement for Member States to develop programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that encourage them to undertake energy audits and implement the identified energy efficiency measures [1]. Own funding is the most common case, while there is a lack of awareness regarding funding opportunities at the local or EU level, including grants, loans, national support schemes, etc This becomes more crucial by the absence of effective support schemes, the lack of understanding of energy efficiency financing by banks and other sources, and the bureaucracy, resulting in a lack of motivation. The most common barriers for energy efficiency improvement investments in SMEs are related to economic reasons, the lack of time resources, and the low awareness about the multiple. In the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the SMEs are struggling to survive, and investing in energy efficiency measures is out of the question To mitigate all these barriers, it is necessary to provide proper support and training courses for all stakeholders at all levels to facilitate access to information regarding policies, energy efficiency solutions, funding schemes, and good practices already implemented
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