Valuing and Communicating Multiple Benefits of Energy-Efficiency Measures

Información del proyecto

M-Benefits

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 785131

DOI

10.3030/785131

Proyecto cerrado

Fecha de la firma de la CE 2 Febrero 2018

Fecha de inicio 1 Marzo 2018

Fecha de finalización 30 Junio 2021

Financiado con arreglo a

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Coste total

€ 1 866 490,00

Aportación de la UE

€ 1 866 490,00

Coordinado por

FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - M-Benefits (Valuing and Communicating Multiple Benefits of Energy-Efficiency Measures)

Período documentado: 2019-09-01 hasta 2021-06-30

Resumen del contexto y de los objetivos generales del proyecto

Project-level investment decisions take account of many factors, rarely tackling one issue in isolation. Company decisions are based on its strategic priorities and values, an assessment of the risks involved, and anticipated benefits (e.g. increased productivity, regulatory compliance, reduced maintenance, greater reliability, improved workforce satisfaction and retention).
In contrast, energy efficiency experts traditionally present the rationale for investment as a single-issue problem. The arguments are focused on energy ‘payback’ – the length of time a capital investment takes to pay for itself through reduced energy costs. However, energy payback is not a strategic goal. As a result, these proposals are often missed or ignored because they are not prioritised by investment committees.

How businesses and professionals benefit:

- Identify and quantify how multiple benefits analysis benefits operations, strategy, finance, energy, human resources, etc
- Apply and practice training and lessons learned through Serious Gaming
- Deploy analytical methods and tools in work flows to identify strategic impacts of energy saving actions
- Bolster investment proposals by drawing on communications resources and a growing evidence base
From 2018-2021, project partners have developed a training platform. They have also created tools and worked directly with organisations to analyse and propose energy-saving projects, while evaluating the operational and strategic impacts. In parallel, Multiple Benefits partners have compiled an evidence base of case studies, project examples and results to bolster the business case for projects. This evidence based has been published on the multiple benefits project website.

Trabajo realizado desde el comienzo del proyecto hasta el final del período abarcado por el informe y los principales resultados hasta la fecha

Within the first 18 Months of the project, the methodology to identify and quantify multiple benefits has been developed based on a sound literature review.
A questionnaire to analyze the current use of multiple benefits in companies decision making procedures has been developed, rolled-out.
A training program has been developed. As one of the key training materials, a serious game was created. The serious game is a computer based training tool, where the use of the multiple benefits methodology is presented as a role-playing game with real life components. The roll-out of this training program has started with a train the trainer event.
All project partners have successfully conducted trainings and implemented pilot projects. The evaluation of the pilot projects showed the added value of the methodology and was highly appreciated by the companies.
All results have been continuously communicated to individual stakeholders and the wider public with great success.

Avances que van más allá del estado de la técnica e impacto potencial esperado (incluida la repercusión socioeconómica y las implicaciones sociales más amplias del proyecto hasta la fecha)

From 2018-2021, project partners have developed a training platform and created tools to value the multiple benefits of energy efficiency. They have worked directly with organisations to analyse and propose energy-saving projects, while evaluating the operational and strategic impacts. In parallel, the Multiple Benefits partners have compile an evidence base of case studies, project examples and results to bolster the business case for projects.

The societal gains from energy efficiency are potentially huge. In Germany alone, companies and households could reduce energy consumption by 21% while saving €53 billion a year through energy efficiency. Energy efficiency is also strategically important for Europe to cost effectively reduce dependence on foreign energy imports costing €400 billion annually.

By highlighting the strategic impact of multiple benefits for the companies instead of only looking at the monetary impact of energy savings, projects are much more likely to be implemented by companies. Thus, energy efficiency can play its role in the energy and climate transition.

The Multiple Benefits Project at a glance