The ACTIVATE project has been funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland under the SEAI Research, Development & Demonstration Funding Programme 2024, Grant number 24/RDD/1130.
The ACTIVATE project aims to develop and test an innovative methodology to identify and quantify the non-energy benefits associated with EEIs actions and investments. The project is focused on exploring the importance of Non-Energy Benefits (NEBs) for the industrial sector and how the quantification and monetisation of NEBs could improve the uptake of energy efficiency measures by removing phycological barriers of energy efficiency projects not being financially attractive for the decision-makers. The major objectives of the ACTIVATE project is to serve as proof of concept about the importance of considering the multiple benefits of EEIs apart from direct energy cost savings. Following are the overall objectives of the project –
- Develop methodology to identify and quantify the multiple NEBs associated with the Energy Efficiency Improvement (EEIs) and integrate the consideration of NEBs into energy audit practices.
- Develop a comprehensive cost benefit analysis methodology for the EEIs proposal by including quantified NEBs monetary savings along with direct energy cost savings.
- Remove the psychological barrier (EEIs projects not being financially attractive) to the uptake of EEIs actions and inspire SMEs and/or industries to invest in the energy efficiency projects.
- Create awareness about the real/true potential of benefits of energy efficiency measures including energy and non-energy benefits.
- To bring behavioural changes within the senior management and decision makers.
- Increase the investment in the sustainable energy projects and accelerate the Ireland’s decarbonisation journey of achieving net-zero emissions target by 2050.
There is a significant diversity of NEBs due to the heterogeneity of the business/SME sector. NEBs for a business/SME could include reduced carbon emissions, better productivity, improved brand image, better competitiveness, operational improvements, waste reduction, improved thermal comfort, increased customer satisfaction, and many more. These benefits are usually ignored and never considered in the process of cost benefit analysis of recommended investment proposals, which serves as decision-making factor for senior management to make decision about investing in any EEIs.
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