This project involved a broad empirical analysis to identify the main reasons why seemingly commercial energy conservation strategies have not been taken up. This was followed by a detailed analysis by individual organizations for key sectors in their Member State. This included, firstly, a survey of industrial energy users in The Netherlands to elicit the causes of the current gap between theoretical opportunities and practical performance of energy conservation options. Secondly, a study of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in Germany to address the potential importance of information/consultation as an instrument for encouraging the adoption of energy conservation strategies. Thirdly, an analysis of issues involved in achieving energy efficiency in households in Ireland. Fourthly, an assessment of the potential role of electrical appliances for achieving energy conservation in the UK, and finally an analysis of a cross-section of opportunities in France.
The reports produced from the analysis assessed the various actual and/or potential policy options identified using the following criteria: the implementation feasibility, i.e. looking at opportunities which are not now commercially and technically viable, but which, with relatively little research, development, demonstration or dissemination effort, would have a reasonable prospect of becoming so; the prospective impact upon environmental protection as well as energy conservation; linkage to other EU policies; and the focus on final demand technologies and management strategies.