| 1. |
- Jalo, Noor, et al.
(författare)
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Barriers to and drivers of energy management in Swedish SMEs
- 2021
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Ingår i: Energies. - : MDPI. - 1996-1073. ; 14:21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The energy efficiency gap is known as the difference between optimal level of energy efficiency and the actual level of achieved energy efficiency. Energy management has proven to further close the energy efficiency gap. Energy management may differ depending on whether it concerns a large, energy-intensive company or small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are of high interest since they form a large share of the economy today. For SMEs, a lighter form of energy management, in the form of energy efficiency network participation, has proven to deliver sound energy efficiency impact, while for larger, energy-intensive firms, a certified energy management system may be more suitable. However, various barriers inhibit adoption of energy efficiency measures. While there is an array of research on barriers to and driving forces for energy efficiency in general, research on barriers to, and driving forces for, energy management is rare, one exception being a study of energy-intensive pulp and paper mills. This holds even more so for industrial SMEs. This paper aims to identify the barriers to, and drivers for, energy management in manufacturing SMEs. Results of this explorative study show that the top four barriers to energy management are lack of time/other priorities, non-energy-related working tasks are prioritized higher, slim organization, and lack of internal expert competences, i.e., mainly organizational barriers. The top four drivers for energy management are to reduce production waste, participation in energy efficiency networks, cost reduction from lower energy use, and commitment from top management. Furthermore, results show that energy management among the studied SMEs seems to not be as mature, even though the companies participated in an energy management capacity building program in the form of energy efficiency networks, which, in turn, shows a still largely untapped potential in the societal aim to reduce the energy efficiency and management gaps. The main contribution of this paper is a first novel attempt to explore barriers to, and drivers for, energy management among SMEs.
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| 2. |
- Jalo, Noor, et al.
(författare)
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Do energy efficiency networks help reduce barriers to energy efficiency? : A case study of a regional Swedish policy program for industrial SMEs
- 2021
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Ingår i: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. - : Elsevier. - 1364-0321 .- 1879-0690. ; 151
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Improved energy efficiency is one of the key elements to decouple energy-related emissions from economic growth. Since the energy management practices in small and medium-sized enterprises are underdeveloped, most of the energy efficiency potential is left untapped. Studies show that several barriers pertaining to economic, technological, and organizational systems lead to poor implementation rates of energy efficiency measures. An energy efficiency network is considered effective in overcoming these barriers and promoting energy management practices in small and medium-sized enterprises. This paper explores the role of energy efficiency networks, and specifically the role of its functions in overcoming the identified barriers from literature. This study was carried out as a multiple case study including 13 industrial small and medium-sized enterprises using semi-structured interviews with participants from companies in a Swedish regional energy efficiency network program. Results show that energy efficiency networks are effective in overcoming some of the barriers to energy efficiency implementation and that the present functions are effective in addressing some barriers faced by small and medium-sized enterprises, e.g., energy efficiency implementation barriers such as lack of time and resources. However, some barriers still remain as constraints for energy efficiency implementation, even after energy efficiency network participation.
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| 3. |
- Johansson, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Designing Policies and Programmes for Improved Energy Efficiency in Industrial SMEs
- 2019
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Ingår i: Energies. - : MDPI. - 1996-1073. ; 12:7
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- 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.
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| 4. |
- Johansson, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Energy Efficiency Networks for SMEs - Program Theory and Ongoing Evaluation
- 2017
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- It is well known from literature and experienced by practitioners that various barriers are hindering energy management practices and energy efficiency improvements in (industrial) SMEs. With relatively low-cost shares for energy end-use and other priorities, energy management and energy efficiency measures seldom become an area for attention or investments. Consequently, large cost-effective energy efficiency potentials are left untapped. The situation is not pleasing given the European 2020 strategy for "smart, sustainable and inclusive growth", in which energy efficiency is to form a centerpiece with its abilities to provide multiple benefits that goes beyond energy cost savings.There are good practice examples where SMEs take part in networks and thereby join forces and cooperate to build energy management capacities. For the first time formalized and applied, on a regional level in Sweden, an Industrial Energy Efficiency Network (IEEN) model currently operates with the aim to attract the participation of at least 80 SMEs in ten local networks. An ongoing evaluation approach has been initiated with the main intention to review key activities in project implementation and make proposals for improvements.As a joint analysis between the project management and the external evaluator, this paper aims to outline characteristics of the particular IEEN model, present intermediate results from implementation and provide further insights from the evaluation. To our awareness, program theory and ongoing evaluation has so far not been applied to IEENs. Our results show that it clarifies the change process and helps to identify unique intermediate results and challenges faced in different phases of implementation. These are important lessons with potential to enhance understanding and improve knowledge dissemination within the community of industrial energy efficiency policy analysts, project developers and evaluators in the Asian-Pacific region.
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| 5. |
- Johansson, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Impact evaluation of an energy efficiency network policy program for industrial SMEs in Sweden
- 2022
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Ingår i: Resources, Environment and Sustainability. - : Elsevier. - 2666-9161. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Improved energy efficiency is a key factor in the shift towards sustainable energy systems and net zero emissions, both locally, regionally and globally. The total energy efficiency potential in industrial SMEs is high, but despite this large potential for improved energy efficiency, the full potential is not realized due to several barriers to implementation of energy efficiency measures. The barriers vary based on e.g., geographic location, company size, sector, etc., but for industrial SMEs the main barriers are other priorities, lack of time and lack of information about energy efficiency measures. Energy efficiency networks help companies with the support needed to successfully work with energy efficiency on site, such as conducting an energy audit, making an energy and implementation plan, and monitoring the results. However, there is so far a scarcity of ex-post evaluations of energy efficiency network policy programmes. The aim of this paper is to provide an ex-post impact evaluation of a Swedish regional energy efficiency network programme and propose a general method on how to evaluate energy efficiency networks. Results show that the achieved energy efficiency for the evaluated network policy programme is higher than previously evaluated stand-alone energy audit programmes, and that the majority of deployed energy efficiency measures are found among the support processes, such as space heating, ventilation and lighting.
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| 6. |
- Johansson, Ida
(författare)
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Improved energy efficiency in industrial small and medium-sized enterprises : Regional energy efficiency network policy programs
- 2022
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Despite large potential for improved energy efficiency in industrial small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the full potential is not realized due to barriers to energy efficiency. Two primary ways to realize the potential are to deploy energy management practices and conduct energy audits. However, such energy management practices are underdeveloped in non-energy intensive SMEs and only half of the measures in an energy audit are implemented. To address this problem, energy efficiency networks (EENs) provide vital services and support for SMEs, and may double the implementation rate of energy efficiency measures and the achieved energy efficiency, compared with an energy audit.This thesis studies regional energy policy programs for industrial SMEs, and EENs in particular. The results show that despite EEN participation, the potential in the production processes is left untapped and energy management is still underdeveloped in the SMEs. The results also show that EEN participation reduces some of the common barriers to energy efficiency, but is insufficient in reducing all of them. The methodology, using the theory of barriers to evaluate the network process, can be used for future evaluations where it is recommended to apply the process evaluation while the EEN is operating, to assess the performance of the functions. From the top barriers to and drivers for energy management, organizational aspects seem to be of high importance, followed by barriers/drivers related to economy and knowledge. The major barriers to energy management seem to be more organizational in nature than the barriers to energy efficiency measures. The main contributions are a model for designing energy efficiency policy programs for SMEs, and a model for evaluation of policy programs in general, and EENs specifically. The thesis provides insights on key processes of operation of EEN programs for SMEs. The EEN model and its functions need to be further developed to improve energy management and also target production processes in the SMEs.
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| 7. |
- Johansson, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Non-energy benefits in energy audit and energy efficiency network policy programs for industrial SMEs
- 2019
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Ingår i: ECEEE 2019 Summer Study Proceedings. - 9789198387858 - 9789198387841 ; , s. 225-233
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Improved energy efficiency is a key component towards sustainable and climate-neutral industrial energy systems. The potential for industrial energy efficiency varies between sectors and processes but is stated to be high. Implementation of energy efficiency measures and activities could also result in benefits in addition to energy cost savings, benefits that are more difficult to quantify in economic terms. Research shows that additional gains from investments are underestimated as non-energy benefits (NEBs) are often neglected when the financial attractiveness of energy efficiency investments are evaluated. In the literature, great attention has been given to realise industrial energy efficiency potential through industrial energy policies and programs, in order to promote investments and implementation of new, more efficient technologies and processes. The most internationally common industrial energy policies for industrial SMEs are energy audit programs, but energy efficiency networks have also received increased attention from policymakers. However, there is a scarcity of studies exploring NEBs in relation to industrial SME energy audits and energy efficiency network policy programs. The aim of this study was to identify and compare NEBs from two key energy efficiency policies: energy audit and energy efficiency network programs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with executives at two groups of industrial companies: companies that participated in the regional Swedish energy efficiency network policy program, and participants from the national energy audit program, Swedish Energy Audit Program (SEAP). The overall most commonly mentioned NEBs were related to production, such as increased lifetime of equipment and more reliable production. However, while participants from the energy audit program related these NEBs mainly to technical installations, network participants also saw these types of NEBs from energy management practices. If NEBs were to be included in energy audit programs the benefit of the audits could be increased, but will then particularly affect the technical installations. NEBs in terms of network participation were shown to lead to an increase in the general benefits of the networks, and for network companies NEBs are also linked to measures related to operation and maintenance, i.e., energy management practices. One difference between the two groups was that NEB improved the company’s environmental image. Two of the companies participating in the network policy program had presented their participation on their public webpage perceiving this as a very important benefit, while respondents from the energy audit program could not relate their company image to their energy audit. One additional NEB that was found, not previously mentioned in the scientific literature on NEBs, was that among the network participants, establishing contacts with other companies in the region was considered of great importance, and further contacts that would not have been established outside of the network. Results even found new customer relationships as a result of the network. This finding is of a general nature, thus apart from the other commonly known NEBs, an additional NEB that primarily relates to participation in energy efficiency networks that this study found is establishing new relationships with other companies in the region.
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| 8. |
- Johansson, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Review of regional energy efficiency policies towards industrial SMEs from within Europe
- 2020
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Ingår i: Eceee Industrial Summer Study Proceedings. - 9789198387865 ; , s. 15-22
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Industrial SMEs represent 99 % or more of the total number of companies in most countries, and one-third of the total industrial energy use. Despite this, industrial SMEs have not received much attention both in terms of research and policies. The scientific papers published in the field covers national energy efficiency policy programs and evaluations of these, while scientific studies of regional policy programs are few. SMEs in general have a low capacity to work on improved energy efficiency, and the term SME is generally too vague to provide any guidance on how to design public policy programs. Administrative policies might be a sound approach for medium-sized enterprises but for small-sized enterprises the administrative policies could be less effective. For medium-sized and energy-intensive industrial SMEs, economic and/or regulatory incentives are important, while for small-sized and non-energy intensive industrial SMEs there is a need for a more supportive approach. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of existing regional energy efficiency policies targeting industrial SMEs in seven selected EU member states. This overview also provides an insight of the type of policy approach (informative, economic or administrative) that is most commonly used in regional policy activities.
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| 9. |
- Nyman, Teresia, et al.
(författare)
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Reliability and Validity of Six Selected Observational Methods for Risk Assessment of Hand Intensive and Repetitive Work
- 2023
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 20:8, s. 5505-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Risk assessments of hand-intensive and repetitive work are commonly done using observational methods, and it is important that the methods are reliable and valid. However, comparisons of the reliability and validity of methods are hampered by differences in studies, e.g., regarding the background and competence of the observers, the complexity of the observed work tasks and the statistical methodology. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate six risk assessment methods, concerning inter- and intra-observer reliability and concurrent validity, using the same methodological design and statistical parameters in the analyses. Twelve experienced ergonomists were recruited to perform risk assessments of ten video-recorded work tasks twice, and consensus assessments for the concurrent validity were carried out by three experts. All methods’ total-risk linearly weighted kappa values for inter-observer reliability (when all tasks were set to the same duration) were lower than 0.5 (0.15–0.45). Moreover, the concurrent validity values were in the same range with regards to total-risk linearly weighted kappa (0.31–0.54). Although these levels are often considered as being fair to substantial, they denote agreements lower than 50% when the expected agreement by chance has been compensated for. Hence, the risk of misclassification is substantial. The intra-observer reliability was only somewhat higher (0.16–0.58). Regarding the methods ART (Assessment of repetitive tasks of the upper limbs) and HARM (Hand Arm Risk Assessment Method), it is worth noting that the work task duration has a high impact in the risk level calculation, which needs to be taken into account in studies of reliability. This study indicates that when experienced ergonomists use systematic methods, the reliability is low. As seen in other studies, especially assessments of hand/wrist postures were difficult to rate. In light of these results, complementing observational risk assessments with technical methods should be considered, especially when evaluating the effects of ergonomic interventions.
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| 10. |
- Thollander, Patrik, et al.
(författare)
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A review of energy efficiency policies for small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises from around the world
- 2019
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Ingår i: 2019 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Industry, Portland, August 12-14, 2019. ; , s. 3-135-3-150
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In most countries, small and medium-sized manufacturing (industrial) enterprises (SMEs) represent more than 99% of the number of companies and 60% of employment. Thus, this sector, apart from using energy, is a major driver in the economy with regard to innovations, GDP, investments and export. Despite the importance of SMEs in the economy, they have not received much attention in most countries' energy policy activities. Energy management in its various forms is regarded as one of the key drivers of industrial energy efficiency. While the term "energy management" is often associated with the ISO 50001 standard, there is a broad variety of different programs and schemes in place that do not strictly abide by the framework of the standard. Especially for SMEs, the standardized protocols of ISO 50001 are often too complex for cost-efficient implementation. The aim of this paper is to provide an international overview of existing energy efficiency policies with a focus on energy management practices in selected EU member states as well as Norway and Japan. Results indicate that different countries apply a broad variety of policy contexts in which the energy management practices are embedded.
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