Summary
Third Party Financing (TPF) is a very useful instrument for financing sustainable energy projects but requires careful market preparation. In July 1998, Upper Austria started a programme to build up a third party financing market. The programme combines a comprehensive information & advice strategy with financial support. The promotion measures include for example information events, publications, advice sessions, R&D projects, "market places" and an internet platform. Using a well-targeted approach, O.Ö. Energiesparverband managed to establish a well functioning TPF market in Upper Austria with more than 100 successful TPF projects already carried out.
Results
Since the start of the programme, more than 100 TPF financed projects have been implemented with a total investment of about 35 M€ including both energy efficiency and installation of renewable energy plants.
Examples of implemented TPF projects:
Energy Performance Contracting in Freistadt - 7 municipality buildings retrofitted
The TPF project in Freistadt was very helpful at an early stage of the TPF-market development. Within the TPF contract 7 buildings, including school buildings, the kindergarten, sports facilities and street lighting were retrofitted. Up to 24 % of the former energy costs for heating and electricity are now saved resulting in lower energy costs of 66,205 € annually.
New energy for skis, a biomass tri-generation plant for the world market leader Fischer
The very first biomass tri-generation plant in Austria was built in Ried/Upper Austria for the companies Fischer GmbH and FACC GmbH and produces heat, cooling and electricity from biomass for the companies' production of ski and aeroplane components. The new biomass plant is one of the first of this size using renewable energy sources for high-tech production. About 26,000 MWh heat, 1,000 MWh cooling and 2,500 MWh electricity are generated from biomass annually. Financing was done by a third party financing scheme, the total investment amounted to 3,634,000 €.
Energy efficient street lighting in Bad Goisern
The municipality of Bad Goisern decided to make their street lighting more efficient and thereby saving money without investment costs. Within the framework of a TPF project, 188,000 € were invested in new efficient street lamps. In total 842 street lamps, 681 street lighting points and 29 control points were financed by the ESCO. The guaranteed energy saving is 30 % and energy consumption was reduced from 225,000 kWh/a to 157,000 kWh/a resulting in lower energy costs for public street lighting of 21,000 €/a instead of 36,000 €/a.
Follow-up activities:
Upper Austria offers a promising market situation in the field of biomass installations in commerce and industry and TPF could contribute to their market penetration. Presently a study is being carried out analysing commercial biomass TPF projects and their market potential. The study includes data collection, technical reseach and an analysis of the decision making process within companies. The results will be published and discussed in the framework of workshop with market actors.
To find similar reports, click on a keyword below:
Biomass & Bioenergy
: Buildings
: Cooling
: ESCOs
: Energy Efficiency
: Financial Instruments
: Heat/Heating
: Lighting
: Local Government
: ManagEnergy
: Property Owners
: Refurbishment of Buildings
: Regional Government
: Renewable Energy Sources & Systems
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Case Study (35 KB PDF)