Policy network creation as a driver of energy-efficient industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Palm ◽  
Fredrik Backman
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Policy Networks ◽  
Problem Definition ◽  
Policy Network ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industrial Companies ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Industrial Energy ◽  
Industrial Energy Efficiency

Purpose This paper studies a Swedish municipality that wants to go beyond its own operations, involving the local industry in saving energy to improve the environment. The paper aims to analyse the experiences and practical implications of using policy networks for implementing energy-efficiency measures in private industrial companies. Design/methodology/approach The researchers closely followed a Swedish municipality and its work to engage the local industry in energy-efficiency activities. Participatory observations of meetings and workshops and semi-structured interviews with involved actors were conducted. Findings The study examines a Swedish municipality that has started addressing energy efficiency in local businesses by creating a network involving 60 companies. This network was tested in relation to four hypotheses on how policy networks develop. The study finds that the network has too broad a problem definition, which does not help unify the involved actors. The companies’ involvement is based on passive participation in which they are receivers of information. The network has been unable to use a social control mechanism because there have been few company-to-company meetings. In conclusion, for a network to be an efficient policy tool, its structure is as important as the ideas for action and clear goals. Research limitations/implications This case study of one Swedish municipality allows for analytical but not statistical generalization. Originality/value The paper uniquely calls for reflection on whether municipalities and local authorities have enough competence to drive industrial energy efficiency.

scholarly journals A Review of Energy Management Assessment Models for Industrial Energy Efficiency

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 5713
Author(s):  
A S M Monjurul Hasan ◽  
Andrea Trianni
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Maturity Model ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Industrial Energy ◽  
Energy Domain ◽  
Minimum Requirements ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
Reduction Of Energy Consumption ◽  
Industrial Energy Efficiency

The necessity to ensure energy efficiency in the industries is of significant importance to attain reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions. Energy management is one of the effective features that ensure energy efficiency in the industries. Energy management models are the infancy in the industrial energy domain with practical guidelines towards implementation in the organizations. Despite the increased interest in energy efficiency, a gap exists concerning energy management literature and present application practices. This paper aims to methodologically review the energy management assessment models that facilitate the assessment of industrial energy management. In this context, the minimum requirements model, maturity model, energy management matrix model, and energy efficiency measures characterization framework are discussed with implications. The study concludes with interesting propositions for academia and industrial think tanks delineating few further research opportunities.

scholarly journals Designing Policies and Programmes for Improved Energy Efficiency in Industrial SMEs

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida Johansson ◽  
Nawzad Mardan ◽  
Erwin Cornelis ◽  
Osamu Kimura ◽  
Patrik Thollander
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Audit ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Energy Efficiency Policy ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Industrial Energy ◽  
Industrial Energy Efficiency ◽  
Research And Policy

Climate change, due to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases, is driving policymakers to make decisions to promote more efficient energy use. Improved industrial energy efficiency is said to play a key role in the transition to more carbon-neutral energy systems. In most countries, industrial small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent 95% or more of the total number of companies. Thus, SMEs, apart from using energy, are a major driver in the economy with regard to innovation, GDP growth, employment, investments, exports, etc. Despite this, research and policy activities related to SMEs have been scarce, calling for contributions in the field. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to critically assess how adequate energy efficiency policy programmes for industrial SMEs could be designed. Results show that scientific publications in the field differ in scope and origin, but a major emphasis of the scientific papers has been on barriers to and drivers for energy efficiency. Scientific contributions from studies of energy policy programmes primarily cover energy audit programmes and show that the major energy efficiency measures from industrial SMEs are found in support processes. The review further reveals an imbalance in geographic scope of the papers within the field, where a vast majority of the papers emanate from Europe, calling for scientific publications from other parts of the world. The study synthesizes the findings into a general method on how to design efficiency programs for the sector.

Analysis and forecast of Tianjin’s industrial energy consumption

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongqing Zhu ◽  
Xiaoling Ge ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Zequn Ding
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Industrial Structure ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Average Error ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industrial Energy ◽  
Industrial Energy Efficiency ◽  
Industrial Energy Consumption

Purpose This paper aims to study the present situation of Tianjin industrial energy consumption carbon emissions and put forward constructive suggestions for future energy-saving emission reduction work. Design/methodology/approach Using the energy consumption data form the Tianjin’s Industrial Energy Efficiency Guide (TJBS, 2009-2013) and Tianjin’s Statistical Yearbook (NBS, 2006-2012), some models were able to predict the future with a high degree of accuracy. Findings With an average error of 3.06 per cent for the logistic regression model and an average error of 2.03 per cent for the gray model, the R2 for the energy elasticity model is 0.99158. It also indicated that between 2008 and 2012, the energy consumption per unit of industrial added value decreased by approximately 33.61 per cent. These results show that energy-saving efforts and the optimization of the industrial structure have increased the energy efficiency of Tianjin. Originality/value The authors think that their contribution refers to a combination between methodology of forecasting and industrial energy consumption.

scholarly journals Productivity benefits of industrial energy efficiency measures

Energy ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 1081-1098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernst Worrell ◽  
John A Laitner ◽  
Michael Ruth ◽  
Hodayah Finman
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Efficiency Measures ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Industrial Energy ◽  
Industrial Energy Efficiency

scholarly journals Barriers to industrial energy efficiency

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 380-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Lunt ◽  
Peter Ball ◽  
Andrew Levers
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Detailed Examination ◽  
Industrial Sector ◽  
Cognitive Map ◽  
Energy Reduction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industrial Sustainability ◽  
Industrial Energy ◽  
Generic Change ◽  
Industrial Energy Efficiency

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to capture organisational barriers that can inhibit energy reduction in manufacturing. Energy consumption is a significant contributor to the economic and environmental components of industrial sustainability, and there is a significant body of knowledge emerging on the technical steps necessary to reduce that consumption. Achieving technical success requires organisational alignment, without which barriers to energy efficiency can be experienced. Design/methodology/approach – The research uses a theory building–theory testing cycle to propose and then verify existence of barriers to industrial energy efficiency. Literature review is used to build potential organisational barriers that can arise. The existence of barriers is then verified in industrial energy reduction projects using interview, observation and document analysis. Findings are validated by company staff. Findings – From the literature barriers that can be related to energy reduction, projects are uncovered. The generic and energy reduction-specific barriers are confirmed and two new barriers are identified. A cognitive map linking the relationships between all the barriers is proposed. Research limitations/implications – The research is built on detailed examination of a number of projects in a single company and work is needed to verify the findings in companies of different size and different industrial sector. Practical implications – The list of barriers created can support industry in preparing for and undertaking energy efficiency projects. The cognitive map proposed will help industry and academia understand why removing current prominent barriers can lead to surfacing of new barriers. Originality/value – The novelty of this research is in both the creation of a list of organisational barriers for energy efficiency as well as identifying the relationships between them. The work brings generic change management barriers to enhance the specific energy reduction barriers together into a broader collation of barriers as well as uncovering new barriers. The work proposes a cognitive map of industrial energy efficiency barriers to demonstrate their interrelationships.

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