Good Practice Case Study: The Energy Gain - a local training programme, Sweden

Website: www.lidkoping.se/energivinsten

Case Study (141 Kb PDF)

Summary

The aim of the Energy Gain is to increase awareness of energy issues in SME in Lidköping, Sweden, by combining education with a voluntary agreement on action taken by the companies. The objective is to have 100 participating companies (manufacturing companies, industrial workshops, agricultural enterprises, real estate companies, groceries, supermarkets and automotive retailers etc) that are making efforts to make their energy use more efficient as well as investing their possibilities to change from fossil fuels to renewable energy, decreasing CO₂-emissions as well as emissions of other polluting substances.

86 companies have been given the education and the objective is very likely to be reached and exceeded during the programme. The first evaluation shows very content participants and increased activity, including concrete measures, at many companies. Crucial for success has been the contact with the local organisations for SME.

Results

The Energy Gain has been very successful. The combination of education and practical measures has been very appreciated by the participating companies.

The secondary results of the Energy Gain are still to come, through the measures taken by the participating companies. Until now, only one evaluation has been made of the activities made by the companies. This includes energy savings and transitions from fossil to renewable energy at the participating companies.

However, several results have already been achieved:

• One set of tools for SME companies has been developed to facilitate their work with energy plans and action plans for increased energy efficiency or transition to use of renewable energy. An education method has been developed, and adjusted to several groups of SME; manufacturing companies, industrial workshops, agricultural enterprises, real estate companies, groceries, supermarkets and automotive retailers. The first evaluation shows that 97,8 percent of the participants are content with the education and the education gets 4,8 points at a six grade scale.
• 86 companies have gained new knowledge and awareness in the field of energy and environment. The tools have also been introduced to these companies. The objective, to reach 100 companies, is very likely to be reached or exceeded during the programme.
• Platforms for discussion of energy issues has been created for the nine education groups (86 companies), creating contact between the persons in charge of energy issues at companies in the same branch.
• 50 companies have gained knowledge of their own energy situation through individual site visits and by creating energy plans.
• The evaluation for the first group of companies shows that at most of the companies there is an increase in the interest in energy issues. Many of the companies have planned energy efficiency measures. Estimations from the companies show a potential for energy savings at between 15 and 50 percent.

In addition to these results, the energy savings are also giving cost reductions at the companies, the emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and particular matter is decreasing with reduced energy use.

Lessons learned and repeatability

SME are often hard to reach. Some key-factors to reach and involve them have been:

• Use existing channels. By cooperation with the local trade and industry organization this was met. Professional marketing has been important.
• Facilitate experience exchange. The experience exchange was facilitated by arranging study visits to the participating companies in each education round and by having branch separate education rounds. This also gave the possibility for the participators to get a branch network on energy issues.
• Combine theory and practice. By combining knowledge building with action at the participating companies the theoretical part was made useful and easier to implement. Much time spent on experience exchange has been a key factor for success.
• Easy tools. Easy tools for energy monitoring and work with energy efficiency has been important to make the participators realize the large saving potential, with economical gains as a result of the measure.
• Voluntary agreement. The participating companies made a voluntary agreement to make an energy plan and energy action plan. This ensures the engagement of the companies deciding to participate.
• Tailor-made education. Experts in different fields where engaged to ensure high quality and relevance for the participants.

The concept can easily be copied and used by many organizations in Europe. Important for the possibility to replicate it is good relations with representatives for SME.

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Municipality of Lidköping