Promoting energy efficiency in small and medium-sized enterprises through networkbased approaches – experiences from Swedish local governments

摘要

Policy instruments for improving energy efficiency in industryhave historically focused on large and energy-intensive companies,likely because a large part of industrial energy use isconcentrated in these companies. However, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 30 % of Swedishindustrial energy use. Research shows that both the relative energyefficiency potential and the cost-efficiency of implementingenergy-efficiency measures in industrial SMEs are higher,compared with similar measures in large and energy-intensivecompanies.One way to gain the interest of SMEs and achieve results inenergy-efficiency measures is through energy-efficiency networks,where a group of companies work together to achieveenergy-efficiency gains. Within the framework of the nationalprogramme Sustainable Municipality, local governments inSweden have successfully developed and tested networkmodelsfor promoting energy-efficiency investments in the localbusiness community with good results. The local projectssought to bridge the gap between potential and actual implementationof energy-efficiency measures in local businesses(particularly in SMEs) in ten Swedish municipalities, using afew different network-based approaches. This paper exploresthe work of Eskilstuna and Tranas municipality and their networkmodels.Both network models successfully managed to promote implementationof energy efficiency in SMEs. Further, the municipalitiessuccessfully developed methods for matching demandfor energy efficient solutions in SMEs with suppliers of relevantservices and products. Both the Tranas and Eskilstuna modelshave encountered challenges that could be partially overcomeby combining characteristics of the two project models.The lessons learned are that there is a need for developingnetwork models in Sweden based on experience and resultsboth in Sweden and abroad. More attention should be given todisseminate information on experiences and results regardinghow to use networks for increased energy efficiency in SMEs.