This paper empirically investigates the factors driving the adoption of energy-efficiency measures by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Our analyses are based on cross-sectional data from SMEs which participated in a German energy audit program between 2008 and 2010. In general, our findings appear robust to alternative model specifications and are consistent with the theoretical and still scarce empirical literature on barriers to energy efficiency in SMEs. More specifically, high investment costs, which are captured by subjective and objective proxies, appear to impede the adoption of energy-efficient measures, even if these measures are deemed profitable. Similarly, we find that lack of capital slows the adoption of energy-efficient measures, primarily for larger investments. Hence, investment subsidies or soft loans (for larger invest-ments) may help accelerating the diffusion of energy-efficiency measures in SMEs. Other barriers were not found to be statistically significant. Finally, our findings provide evidence that the quality of energy audits affects the adoption of energy-efficiency measures. Hence, effective regulation should involve quality standards for energy au-dits, templates for audit reports or mandatory monitoring of energy audits.

Adoption of energy-efficiency measures in SMEs - An empirical analysis based on energy audit data

This paper analyses some possible means by which renewable power could be integrated into the steel manufacturing process, with techniques such as blast furnace gas recirculation (BF-GR), furnaces that utilize carbon capture, a higher share of electrical arc furnaces (EAFs) and the use of direct reduced iron with hydrogen as reduction agent (H-DR). It is demonstrated that these processes could lead to less dependence on—and ultimately complete independence from—coal. This opens the possibility of providing the steel industry with power and heat by coupling to renewable power generation (sector coupling). In this context, it is shown using the example of Germany that with these technologies, reductions of 47–95% of CO2 emissions against 1990 levels and 27–95% of primary energy demand against 2008 can be achieved through the integration of 12–274 TWh of renewable electrical power into the steel industry. Thereby, a substantial contribution to reducing CO2 emissions and fuel demand could be made (although it would fall short of realizing the German government’s target of a 50% reduction in power consumption by 2050).

https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/4/451/pdf

Power-to-Steel: Reducing CO2 through the Integration of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen into the German Steel Industry

This book explores the nature, operation and relative importance of different barriers to energy efficiency through a comprehensive examination of energy management practices within a wide range of public and private sector organisations. The authors use concepts from new institutional economics to explain individual and organisational behaviour in relation to energy efficiency, and identify the mechanisms through which such barriers may be overcome. In doing so, they are able to shed new light on the ‘barriers debate’ and provide a valuable input to the future development of climate policy.

The Economics of Energy Efficiency

Objectives, barriers and occasions for energy efficient refurbishment by private homeowners

Improving policy instruments to better tap into homeowner refurbishment potential: Lessons learned from a case study in Germany

Towards a green economy in Germany? The role of energy efficiency policies

This paper compares two flagship policies in the area of energy efficient building refurbishment, the German CO2-Building Rehabilitation Programme and the Green Deal in the UK. Although both policies are essentially loan programmes to finance energy efficiency measures, the nature of the two policies is very different regarding scope, financial architecture, integration with other policies, and carbon reductions. The paper draws out the main differences of the programmes as well as similarities.

Overcoming the Upfront Investment Barrier - Comparing the German CO2 Building Rehabilitation Programme and the British Green Deal

Welchen Beitrag kann die Steigerung der Energieeffizienz in der Industrie zur Energiewende in Deutschland leisten? Um diese Frage zu beantworten wird fur die energieintensiven Branchen, welche insgesamt etwa 70% des Energiebedarfs der Industrie ausmachen, eine modellgestutzte Analyse der vorhandenen Energieeffizienzpotenziale durchgefuhrt. Aufbauend hierauf werden je Branche Instrumente zur Umsetzung der berechneten Potenziale und zur Uberwindung der bestehenden Hemmnisse vorgeschlagen.

Energieverbrauch und CO2-Emissionen industrieller Prozesstechnologien : Einsparpotenziale, Hemmnisse und Instrumente

Energy efficiency is widely accepted as a simple and cost-effective way to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. It is accordingly a corner stone of European energy and climate policies. However, in formulation of explicit political energy efficiency goals as well as in monitoring these targets, discussions arise both concerning the concrete definition and the measurement. Accordingly, there is a lack of clarification and in-depth discussions of several fundamental aspects or dimensions of measuring energy efficiency, in particular in a political context. Here, we discuss and analyse two aspects of energy efficiency and ways to measure it, namely the formulation of a baseline and the accounting methods, in order to clarify ongoing discussions. We find that both top-down and bottom-up methods contain a series of “adjustment settings” which can strongly influence the degree of energy efficiency target achievement. Additionally, several baselines can be meaningfully defined and used in a political context. We find a factor of 10 or more between different meaningful definitions of energy efficiency easily achievable. Our results indicate that rigorous definitions should be used for formulating and monitoring energy efficiency targets in a political context if exactly the same understanding of target is to be achieved.

Dimensions of energy efficiency in a political context

Eine energetische Gebaudesanierung (Sanierung zur Erhohung der Energieeffizienz) erfordert einen langen, relativ komplexen Entscheidungsprozess fur Gebaudeeigentumer, -verwalter, Mieter sowie Bauhandwerker. Es gibt verschiedene Moglichkeiten diese Akteure in Ihren Entscheidungen durch gezielte Informationen zu unterstutzen. Der vorliegende Beitrag beleuchtet anhand der vorhandenen Literatur eine Vielzahl von nationalen und internationalen Informationsinstrumenten und beschreibt ihre Rolle bei der Forderung von energetischen Sanierungsentscheidungen. Sofern in der Literatur entsprechende Informationen vorliegen, erortert der Beitrag auch die Effektivitat und Umsetzungspraxis der jeweiligen Instrumente.

/pdf/information-tools-for-energy-demand-reduction-in-existing-28lu168pyt.pdf

Clemens Rohde

Papers

Towards a green economy in Germany? The role of energy efficiency policies

Overcoming the Upfront Investment Barrier - Comparing the German CO2 Building Rehabilitation Programme and the British Green Deal

Energieverbrauch und CO2-Emissionen industrieller Prozesstechnologien : Einsparpotenziale, Hemmnisse und Instrumente

Dimensions of energy efficiency in a political context

Information tools for energy demand reduction in existing residential buildings