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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
1

The most important barriers inhibiting the sustainability and growth of energy service companies (ESCOs) in South Africa

Kellermann, Johann 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It has been established worldwide that energy efficiency undertakings are the fastest, most cost-effective and cleanest way to extend energy supplies. When the energy supply made available through energy efficiency projects are compared with increasing primary supply through building new conventional generation facilities, the former is in most cases also safer, more reliable and a more secure form of investment. Energy service companies (ESCOs) are the recognised implementation vehicles of energy efficiency projects and have been in use internationally for many years for this purpose. Globally, however, ESCOs do not have a good history of being viable business enterprises. The most important barriers identified internationally hindering ESCOs’ growth and sustainability were the potential customers’ lack of awareness, information and understanding regarding energy efficiency projects, the financing of these projects, as well as the support of government on energy efficiency policies and regulations. The urgency of implementing energy efficiency measures in South Africa is critical based on the precarious situation of the national electrical suppliers’ ability to provide electricity unfailingly to all its current and future customers. The South African electrical energy situation should therefore provide tremendous opportunities to the local ESCO industry. The aim of this study was therefore to reiterate the importance of energy efficiency projects and to describe the barriers to growth and sustainability experienced by ESCOs in South Africa against the international backdrop. This was done by way of a survey sent out to all registered ESCOs in South Africa. Based on the responses to the survey, the South African industry is in dire straits and is hindered by various barriers to their growth and sustainability. The study identified eight major barriers in the South African ESCO industry which are similar to those experienced by ESCOs internationally. The uniqueness of the local barriers however, is that the industry operates in a highly regulated environment and that these regulators, being the government and Eskom, are recognised as the main perpetrators responsible for most of these barriers, largely due to a lack of dedicated action. Furthermore, the study shows that it is critical for all role players in the South African energy efficiency industry, and specifically the South African government and Eskom, to recognise these barriers and to assist in solving them to improve the growth opportunities in the ESCO industry. Removal of these barriers will not only improve the electricity situation, but will also have a number of positive effects on the micro and macro-economic levels of South Africa, as well as the environment. Finally, the study makes suggestions about the way forward through a number of actions to be taken to lower or remove the most important of these barriers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit is reeds wêreldwyd bevestig dat energie-effektiwiteitsprojekte die vinnigste, kostedoeltreffendste en omgewingsvriendelikste manier is om energiebronne uit te brei. Wanneer die energieverskaffing wat beskikbaar gestel word deur energieeffektiwiteitsprojekte vergelyk word met die vermeerdering van primêre energie deur die bou van nuwe konvensionele opwekkingsfasiliteite, is eersgenoemde in die meeste gevalle ook veiliger en ’n meer betroubare en stabiele beleggingsvorm. Energie-diensmaatskappye (energy service companies (ESCOs)) is die erkende implementeringsmediums vir energie-effektiwiteitsprojekte en word reeds baie jare lank internasionaal vir hierdie doel aangewend. ESCOs het egter wêreldwyd nie ’n goeie rekord as lewensvatbare sake-ondernemings nie. Die vernaamste hindernisse wat ESCOs se groei en welvaart stuit is internasionaal geïdentifiseer as voornemende kliënte se gebrek aan bewustheid, inligting en begrip rakende energie-effektiwiteitsprojekte, die finansiering van sodanige projekte, asook die ondersteuning van die regering ten opsigte van energieeffektiewiteitsbeleide en -regulasies. Daar is groot dringendheid om energie-effektiewe projekte en maatreëls in Suid Afrika te implementeer, gebaseer op die huidige onsekerheid of die nasionale elektrisiteitsverskaffer wel in staat is om ’n betroubare bron van elektrisiteit aan sy huidige en voornemende kliënte te voorsien. Die Suid Afrikaanse elektriese energie situasie behoort daarom heelwat geleenthede te skep vir die plaaslike ESCO-industrie. Die doel van hierdie studie was dus om die belangrikheid van energie-effektiwiteitsprojekte te beklemtoon en om die hindernisse te omskryf wat ESCOs in Suid Afrika se groei en welvaart stuit, gesien vanuit ‘n internasionale perspektief. Dit was gedoen deur ‘n vraelys aan alle geregistreerde ESCOs te stuur. Na aanleiding van die terugvoering op die vraelyste, sukkel hierdie industrie om kop bo water te hou weens verskeie hindernisse wat hulle groei en welvaart stuit. Hierdie studie identifiseer agt belangrike hindernisse in die Suid-Afrikaanse ESCO industrie wat ooreenstem met die wat deur internasionale ESCOs ondervind word. Die uniekheid van die plaaslike hindernisse is egter dat die industrie werksaam is in ‘n streng gereguleerde omgewing en dat die reguleerders, die regering en Eskom, ook uitgewys word as die vernaamste skuldiges wat verantwoordelik is vir meeste van die hindernisse, hoofsaaklik as gevolg van hulle gebrek aan toegewyde uitvoering van take. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie toon verder dat dit krities is vir al die rolspelers in die Suid-Afrikaanse energie-effektiwiteitsindustrie, spesifiek die Suid-Afrikaanse regering en Eskom, om hierdie hindernisse te erken en om saam te werk om hulle te oorkom en sodoende die groeigeleenthede in die ESCO-bedryf te verbeter. Die verwydering van hierdie hindernisse sal nie alleen die elektrisiteitsituasie verbeter nie, maar sal ook ’n aantal positiewe invloede hê op die mikro- en makro-ekonomiese vlak van Suid-Afrika, sowel as die omgewing. Die studie sluit af met voorstelle rakende die uitvoering van verskeie aksies wat die verwydering van die vernaamste hindernisse tot gevolg sal hê, of die hindernisse se impak op die industrie sal verminder.
2

Energy Performance Contracting in Swedish scenario: a case study with Morastrand AB

Frota de Albuquerque Landi, Fabiana January 2018 (has links)
Renovation of the existing buildings in Sweden represents a great potential to achieve the energy efficiency and carbon emission targets set by the European Union and the Swedish government. The Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) is regarded as an efficient way to manage and to outsource the risks of energy efficiency (EE) measures. The thesis aims to identify the theoretical framework of EPC in the Swedish scenario and, through a real case, develop a model that relates EE measures and its results considering the capital investment versus running costs of renovation projects. The work is based on the incorporation with the Morastrand AB. The research expects to assess EPC processes and measures as in Energy Service Companies (ESCO) and consequently help in the decision making and the management of the projects. The thesis is composed of two parts. The first part identifies the theoretical framework of energy contract models focusing on the EPC, while a case study with Morastrand AB is subsequently presented. It is suggested one approach for the preliminary comparison of different renovation measures in EE projects, corresponding to the first step of the planning phase of an EPC. General recommendations and sensitive factors were identified and can assist Morastrand AB to effectively implement EE projects in the future. For orienting investments, the Lifecycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) is a method to study solutions under economic aspects and further it can be extended to the complete Lifecycle Assessment of the upcoming projects. The theoretical framework of the EPC is composed by identifying the projects, performing the technical analysis, determinizing the potential in energy savings, deepening the analysis with auditions, tendering the project, designing and executing the project, commissioning, operating and supporting the systems with constant monitoring and maintenance. The biggest challenge for the EPC in Sweden is the relation between the ESCOs and their clients. The figure of the facilitator could improve the results and balance the knowledge gap between the parts. The actors of these projects are the ESCO, the client, the facilitator and the financing part. In Sweden, very frequently the client finances the operation. There are a few models of contracting, and the most popular are guaranteed savings and shared savings. The thesis performed the LCCA of three options for window replacement in a building at the end of its lifespan. The results show that the trends in prices and interest rates are sensitive factors. In this case, the projects with higher initial investments were more profitable. Those solutions can shield the company against energy prices escalates and contribute to the green policies.
3

Kartläggning av barriärer sombromsar EPC-marknadensutveckling : En empirisk studie i Sverige

Palén, Jennifer January 2018 (has links)
I Sverige står bostad- och servicesektorn för 40 procent av landets totala energianvändningoch utfaller således i en högre förbrukning än både transport- och industrisektorn. Entredjedel av denna energi förbrukas inom de 90 miljoner kvadratmeter ägda av offentligsektor. I dagsläget erbjuder den svenska marknaden ett antal olikaenergieffektiviseringstjänster inom offentlig sektor. Energy Performance Contracting, (EPC), ären av dem. Denna typ av energitjänstemodell bygger på att EPC-leverantören hjälperbeställaren att ta ett helhetsgrepp på fastighetsbeståndets energi- och drifteffektivisering, föratt sedan ingå i ett långsiktigt avtal om energieffektiviseringsåtgärder och garantibesparingar.De formulerade åtgärderna finansieras därmed av framtida garanterade energibesparingar,garantier som undertecknas av EPC-leverantören. Genom att ingå i ett EPC-avtal kankommuners ekonomiska risker minimeras och fastighetsbeståndet uppgraderas samtidigtsom internationella och nationella klimat- och miljömål kan nås.Energibehovet i Sverige ökar ständigt och förutspås fortsätta stiga. Europaparlamentet ochEuropeiska unionens råd beskriver i sina direktiv att takten för energieffektivbyggnadsrenovering fordras öka för att det förhöjda behovet skall kunna möta allt striktaremiljökrav. Den antropogena globala uppvärmningen resulterar i extrema väderförhållandenoch orsakar förödande konsekvenser på olika delar av vår planet. Värmeböljor, ökenbildning,flyktingströmmar och svält är några av de allvarligaste följderna. Hållbar energianvändning ärdärför oerhört viktigt för att jorden skall fortsätta att vara en plats att leva på. 90 procent avde fastigheter vi har idag kommer att finnas kvar år 2050, och energieffektivisering i sambandmed renovering är därför avgörande för minskning av den totala energianvändningen inomsektorn. Trots flertalet goda exempel på nöjda kunder och kalkyler som visar på stor potentialhar enbart en tredjedel av Sveriges kommuner beslutat om att genomföra ett EPC-projektunder de knappa 20 åren som marknaden funnits. I dagsläget är marknaden nästintillobefintlig.En empirisk studie genomfördes där 20 intervjuer hölls mot beställare, entreprenörer ochområdesexperter för att definiera barriärer som begränsar EPCs utveckling i avsikt attförstärka positionen på marknaden. Studien visade att de mest påtagliga barriärerna för EPCär avsaknad av ansvarskänsla för energieffektivisering hos kommuner följt av frånvaro avincitament att arbeta med de satta målen. Låg beställarkompetens beträffande tekniskbefogenhet och allmän kunskap om energieffektivisering och hållbar energianvändning ledertill problematik att ta till sig EPC och släppa in entreprenör vilket är nästa barriär. Utöver detäven mytspridning som gett EPC dåligt rykte. Genom att likaledes definiera incitament attgenomföra ett EPC-projekt kan en klar bild av ursprungsläget målas upp för att tillsammansmed de konstaterade barriärerna förändra positionen. Intervjuerna visade att drivkrafternaatt genomföra ett EPC projekt kunde sammanfattas till viljan att ta ett helhetsgrepp påeftersatt underhåll och öka tekniknivån samtidigt som man sparar energi. Studien ämnarsåledes åt att förstå vad som saknas för att vilja nå dessa positiva effekter. / The housing and services sector in Sweden constitutes 40 percent of the country’s totalenergy consumption, resulting in higher consumption than both the transport and industrysectors. One third of that energy consumed is utilised throughout the 90 million square meterarea owned by the public sector. There is a number of different companies that currentlyoffers energy efficiency services to the public sector, and Energy Performance Contracting(EPC) is one of them. The EPC model is based on the concept that the property owner obtainshelp from an energy service provider, in order to adopt a holistic approach towards energyefficiency measures and warranty savings. The contractor, which in this case is the EPCsupplier,provides the warranty by signing a long-term agreement on the calculated energyreduction. By committing to an EPC agreement, the municipalities' financial risks can beminimised, properties upgraded as well as contributing towards the attainment ofinternational and national climate and environmental goals.Energy demand is continuously increasing and it is predicted to continue to rise. TheEuropean Parliament and the Council of the European Union state in their directives that thepace of energy efficient property renovation must increase, in order to meet ever morestringent environmental requirements. Anthropogenic global warming has resulted inextreme weather conditions causing devastating consequences to our planet, with heatwaves, desertification, refugee flows and starvation being some of the most serious.Sustainable energy utilization is therefore critical to maintain the earth’s inhabitability. 90percent of the properties we have today will still exist in 2050. That is why energy efficiency inconnection with renovation is crucial for reducing overall energy usage within the sector.Despite many good examples of satisfied customers and economically viable implementationsshowing great potential, only a third of Sweden's municipalities have decided to implementan EPC project. Hence, there is currently no substantial market for EPC projects.To identify what is needed to strengthen EPC's position on the market, an empirical study wasconducted where 20 interviews were held with clients, entrepreneurs and industry experts.The study revealed that the most significant barriers facing the EPC market are the lack ofsense of responsibility for energy efficiency within municipalities, followed by the absence ofmeasures incentivising attainment of the set targets. A further barrier is the customer´s lackof technical competence and general knowledge regarding energy efficiency and sustainableenergy usage resulting in problems in adoption and implementation of EPC, which in turnresults in EPC getting a bad reputation. The interviews demonstrated that the driving forcesencouraging the implementation of an EPC project could be summarized as the desire to takea holistic approach to neglect maintenance and increase the technology standard, whilstsaving energy at the same time. The analysis provides a clear picture of the current state ofthe EPC market, both in terms of barriers to its development and possible incentives requiredin order to encourage implementation of EPC projects. The study aims to provide insight intowhat measures can be taken to increase the market appeal of EPCs.
4

Energy Services in Shanghai

De Geer, André, Melander, Mathias January 2013 (has links)
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. However, the economic expansion is not without complications. Improved standard of living and a growing industrial sector have led to an increased demand of energy, which in turn is contributing to air pollution and land contamination. The research problem of the study is what is keeping existing Energy Services (ES) in Shanghai from being used more frequently. To answer this, a sequential mixed method study is conducted, divided into a qualitative and quantitative part. The literature study indicates a great potential for ES in Shanghai. This is mainly due to great efforts taken in Energy Efficiency (EE), an attempt to face the rapidly increasing population by reducing the usage of energy. A number of barriers for ES are found throughout the existing literature, including market, financial, institutional as well as technological barriers. To further investigate barriers and opportunities on the ES market in Shanghai, 14 semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders and academics were conducted. Hypothesizes were formulated based on results from the interview and literature study as well as an expert panel. To test the hypotheses a questionnaire was sent out to real estate developers in Shanghai. This study discovers the need of bringing several in the literature identified barriers to ES in Shanghai up to date. Some barriers were found to be invalid while others were not identified at all. The newly found barriers include market barriers, such as ES having low priority, poor technological understanding among clients, and complications approaching and communicating with potential clients.  For institutional barriers, it was found that the prevalence of low margins in the Chinese industries is holding back stricter regulations. Furthermore, the Energy Service Companies’ (ESCO) lack of understanding of ES from a system perspective is considered a technology barrier. In addition to the barriers, a number of opportunities were found. Improved communication between real estate stakeholders and ESCOs contribute to greater awareness and knowledge, which in turn leads to a higher degree of investment in ES. Differentiation of the services offered by ESCOs may attract new customers who previously were not interested, e.g. companies with short investment horizon. In Shanghai, there are a significant number of subsidies, regulations and laws favoring ES. Moreover, the rapid growth of Shanghai is considered one of the greater opportunities. To conclude, it was found that the maturity level among ESCOs in Shanghai was having large impact on the overall usage of ES. Fixed barriers, i.e. barriers nearly impossible to overcome, together with the large amount of small and inexperienced ESCOs is found to be hindering ES in the Shanghai commercial real estate sector from being used more frequently. / Kina ett är en av de snabbast växande ekonomierna i världen. Den ekonomiska expansionen är emellertid inte helt utan problem. Med bättre levnadsstandard och en allt större industrisektor ökar behovet av energi explosionsartat med förorenad mark och luft som följd.  Studiens problemformulering är vad det är som hindrar befintliga energitjänster i Shanghais byggnadssektor från att användas oftare. För att svara på denna fråga användes en sekventiellt multidisciplinär metod uppdelad i en kvalitativ och- kvantitativ studie. Utifrån litteraturen är det uppenbart att det finns en stor potential för användning av energitjänster i Shanghai. Främst till följd av stora satsningar på energieffektivitet i ett försök att möta den snabbväxande befolkningen med högre krav på levnadsstandard genom att minska energianvändningen. Ett antal hinder existerar emellertid inom Shanghais energitjänstemarknad. Inom dessa inkluderas allt ifrån marknads- och finansiella problem till institutionella och teknologiska komplikationer. För att vidare undersöka vilka problem och möjligheter det finns för energitjänster i Shanghai genomfördes 14 semi-strukturerade intervjuer med involverade aktörer och akademiker i Shanghai. Baserat på resultatet från intervjuerna tillsammans med litteraturstudien och en expert panel formulerades hypoteser härrörande energitjänstesituationen. För att testa hypoteserna genomfördes en enkätundersökning riktad till fastighetsutvecklare i Shanghai. Studien visade att många av de tidigare utpekade hindren för energitjänster i Shanghai behövdes uppdateras, varav vissa visade sig vara obsoleta och några inte gick att verifiera. Bland de nyfunna barriärerna kan nämnas marknadsbarriärer som låg prioritering för energitjänster, låg teknisk kompetens bland fastighetsägare samt svårigheter för energitjänstebolag att närma och kommunicera med potentiella kunder. För de institutionella barriärerna framgick att låga marginaler inom den kinesiska industrin håller tillbaka hårdare regleringar. Inom de tekniska barriärerna framkom att energitjänstebolag generellt sett brister i deras kunskap om energitjänster som kan tillgodose hela byggnaders energisystem. Utöver problemen identifierades även betydande möjligheter. Ökad kommunikation mellan aktörerna bidrar till större kunskap vilket i sin tur leder till en högre grad av energitjänsteinvesteringar. Genom att differentiera de tjänster energitjänsteföretag erbjuder kan de hitta nya kunder som tidigare inte varit intresserade, framförallt sådana med kort investeringshorisont. I Shanghai finns det ett betydande antal subventioneringar, regler och lagar som gynnar energitjänster. Även Shanghais tillväxt ses som en av de stora möjligheterna. Studien kommer fram till att en låg mognadsgraden bland energitjänstebolag i Shanghai negativt påverkan användningen av energitjänster. Existensen av flera fasta barriärer, barriärer som är svåra att påverka, tillsammans med det faktum att majoriteten av energitjänstebolag är små och oerfarna ses som den främsta orsaken till att energitjänster inte används i större utsträckning i Shanghai.

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