Full project description Background After a significant drop in energy consumption during the war in former Yugoslavia (especially 1991-1993), Croatia now experiences a continuous increase in energy demand. Like other countries in transition, Croatia suffers from inefficiencies in the energy sector. Rationalising energy consumption and increasing energy efficiency are two ways to reduce this demand. In order to systematically promote and increase energy efficiency in the country, the Croatian government initiated the Croatian Energy Sector Development Strategy and the project on Development and Organisation of the Energy Sector (PROHES). However, Croatia lacks both the capacity and financial resources to implement these initiatives effectively. The objective of this project is to explore the potential for preliminary energy savings in industry, with a focus on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The project will connect with other energy efficiency projects in Croatia, particularly with the Network of Industrial Energy Efficiency (MIEE). The initiative for implementing an energy efficiency network in Croatia drew from the experiences of similar intiatives in Canadia and Norway that coordinated measures and activities for energy efficiency in industry. The concept was also introduced in several EU countries, including Austria, Greece, Poland, Portugal and Spain. Successful implementation of the MIEE programme involves specific activities such as the promotion of energy efficiency, research and involvement in legislative issues, and working out financing models for project implementation. The programme aims to cover the most important branches of large energy consumers: industry, services (primarily hotels and tourist facilities) and the public sector (primarily hospitals). Until now, the focus of the MIEE programme in industry has been limited to only a few industrial subsectors, such as the wood and food processing industry. This project aims to promote energy efficiency measures in other industry subsectors, thus forming the basis for future development of the network. Project objectives 1. Building the capacity of SMEs to plan and implement different energy-efficiency measures and technologies through interactive training activities. 2. Presentation of the technical, economic and financial feasibility of energy efficiency measures through case studies on SMEs. 3. Disseminating information and project experience throughout the country, as well as among the potential follow-up financing sources of the project. Project activities 1. Preparing the background for successful implementation of training activities 1.1. Short fact-finding mission on current practises in energy management in SMEs by local experts Information will be collected from other energy efficiency projects in Croatia, business associations and available reports and publications. 1.2. Survey of SMEs A questionnaire will be sent to potential beneficiaries of the training. The survey aims to: gather data on energy consumption and energy management; and identify gaps in the knowledge of energy efficiency measures (i.e. potential training topics). Companies will be selected for the training on the basis of data provided in the questionnaire, on topics such as excessive energy consumption within the company, previously implemented energy efficiency measures, potential for other energy efficiency measures, commitment of the managers, financial viability of the company, etc. Consideration will be given to cover different industry subsectors. 1.3. Half-day promotional workshop for a selected number of companies (minimum 30) The workshop's objective is to: promote the training programme; and present the benefits of energy efficiency measures. A convincing incentive for company management to implement energy efficiency measures is to demonstrate economic gains. Therefore, workshop emphasis will be on energy efficiency measures with the highest potential for savings. The basics of energy and water management will be described according to best practises implemented in other countries. The workshop will stress the importance of data collection, energy consumption monitoring and the environmental benefits of implementing these measures. 2. Interactive training of selected SMEs through a series of workshops A smaller number of promotional workshop attendees are expect to commit to further in-depth training. At least 10 SMEs should be trained further. Two or three workshops are planned, up to 10 training days within the six-month period. 2.1. Training of selected companies through workshops. Preliminary training topics include (to be elaborated in the full project proposal): energy management plans; energy audits; benchmarking of the company's energy consumption with the companies in the same industry subsector; and instruments for raising awareness and supporting energy efficiency measures (university trainings, energy saving loans — a possible role for the future Eco fund — availability of energy surveys/audits, etc.) Topics will be also tailored to the needs of selected companies. 2.2. Visits of local/foreign experts to companies that participate in the training Between the workshops, under the supervision of local/foreign experts, participants will work on case studies related to energy efficiency measures in their companies. 3. Qualifying for future specific energy projects Case studies from trained companies will be reviewed and evaluated by local/foreign experts. Financing models for developing feasibility studies and project implementation will be explored. Companies will be encouraged to apply for available funding sources (governmental subsidised loans, co-financing by foreign institutions/programmes, etc.). These case studies will act as the basis for pilot projects for the future development of an energy efficiency network. 4. Dissemination of results through final workshop Results of the whole project, with emphasis on the case studies, will be presented to representatives of other SMEs, potential financing sources for energy efficiency projects, and other stakeholders. 5. Final report Experts will prepare the summary of project results and recommendations on further training needs/possible modifications of the training programme. Expected deliverables 1. Review of current practises in energy management in SMEs, including questionnaire analysis; 2. Case studies presented on interactive training and dissemination at a workshop; 3. Final report. Expected outcomes 1. Increased capacity of SMEs on energy efficiency measures; 2. Development of basis for further training activities; 3. Identification of case studies with the highest environmental/economic benefits to qualify for further project implementation.

Home Renewable Energy and Efficiency  • MEDREP  • Energy Efficiency in Small and Medium Size Enterprises