AUDITS-KNOWnNEBs - Integration of non-energy benefits into energy audit practices to accelerate the uptake of recommended measures.

Narrative

The AUDITS-KNOWnNEBs project aims to accelerate the uptake of recommended energy efficiency measures by integrating non-energy benefits (NEBs) into energy audit practices. Energy audits are crucial in identifying tailored recommendations for energy efficiency investments, but the current approach mainly focuses on direct energy cost savings and neglects the assessment of NEBs such as improved product quality, indoor comfort, increased productivity, and reduced maintenance downtime. This limited perspective underestimates the true value of energy efficiency measures and hampers their implementation. Additionally, national energy efficiency programs for industry often overlook NEBs. As a result, projects with significant importance for enterprises but lower energy savings struggle to secure investments. This project seeks to address this issue by developing a new calculation methodology and result presentation approach that enables enterprises to assess the overall benefits, including both energy and non-energy aspects, of implementing energy efficiency measures. The new methodology will be integrated into existing energy auditing practices in partner countries and tested through pilot energy audits in the food and beverage sector. The project outcomes will be shared with policymakers, energy experts, and other industries to promote the adoption of this methodological approach on a larger scale.

Financial data

Total Eligible Budget: €1,633,044, EU Contribution: €1,551,391, EU Funding Percentage: 95%

Recommendations

• Develop and integrate a new calculation methodology and result presentation approach into energy audit practices to assess both energy and non-energy benefits (NEBs) of energy efficiency measures.

• Include NEBs such as improved product quality, indoor comfort, increased productivity, and reduced maintenance downtime in the evaluation of energy efficiency measures.

• Enhance the understanding and perception of NEBs by enterprises and energy experts to highlight the multiple benefits of energy efficiency.

• Test the new methodology through pilot energy audits in the food and beverage sector to validate its effectiveness and applicability.

• Share the results and findings with policymakers, energy experts, and industries to promote the adoption of the new methodological approach.

• Advocate for the inclusion of NEBs in national energy efficiency programs for industry to foster investments in energy efficiency and sustainable actions.