Improved industrial energy efficiency is viewed as an important means in the reduction of CO2 emissions and climate change mitigation. Various energy efficiency measures for improving energy efficiency exists, but even evaluated as cost-effective, there seems to be a difference between the energy efficiency measures that theoretically could be undertaken and which measures that actually are realised. On the other hand, industrial energy efficiency measures might yield extra effects, denoted as non-energy benefits, beyond the actual energy savings or energy cost savings. Based on interviews and a questionnaire, results showed that the Swedish industrial firms studied had observed various non-energy benefits. However, few of the non-energy benefits observed were translated into monetary values and included in investment calculations. Results indicated that this non-inclusion could be explained by lack on information on how to measure and monetise the benefits, but even if not translated into monetary values, some of the non-energy benefits were sometimes used qualitatively in investment decisions. The utilisation of the benefits seemed to depend on the type and the level of quantifiability among the perceived benefits. This thesis has also explored energy efficiency measures and non-energy benefits for a specific industrial energy-using process – compressed air. A literature review on energy efficiency in relation to compressed air systems revealed a large variation in which measures that could be undertaken to improve energy efficiency. However, few publications applied a comprehensive perspective including the entire compressed air system. Few non-energy benefits of specific energy efficiency measures for compressed air systems were identified, but the study provided insights into how non-energy benefits should be studied. This thesis suggests that energy efficiency and non-energy benefits in compressed air systems should be studied on specific measure level to enable the observation of their effects. However, the studies also addressed the importance of having a systems perspective; the whole system should be regarded to understand the effects of energy efficiency measures and related non-energy benefits.

Capital investments play a crucial role for the business of every firm. In an industrial context, energy efficiency is an important means to meet future energy needs and in the same time reduce climate impact. In this thesis, the investment process for capital investments is therefore studied by addressing the case of industrial capital investments improving energy efficiency. The thesis specifically aims to illuminate how additional benefits, i.e. non-energy benefits, are and can be acknowledged in the investment process by applying an ex-ante perspective. The thesis holds the decision-making process as unit of analysis and aims to contribute with insights on firm level. Especially in an energy-efficiency context, such a process perspective has only been scarcely applied. The thesis is based on a literature review and two empirical studies. The literature review is the starting point of the thesis and reviews the literature on benefit concepts and investment behaviour of energy-efficiency investments. It is then followed by an explorative study in which thirteen industrial Swedish firms are interviewed on how they consider non-energy benefits. Investment motives and critical aspects for adopting energy-efficiency investments are also addressed. It also includes a questionnaire, distributed and collected during a networking event for energy-intensive firms within Swedish manufacturing industry. The second empirical study is a case study conducted at a Swedish pulp and paper firm. It aims to take a comprehensive perspective on the investment process as well as to analyse how and when non-energy benefits are acknowledged in the investment process. This case study approach  enables participants at different levels in the organisation to be engaged in the study and new perspectives to be addressed. The results indicate a general investment process passing through the phases identification, development and selection. Investment motives, information, internal coordination and external actors appear as key aspects of the investment process. Energy-efficiency investments are primarily initiated due to cost-savings motives. However, the subsequent investment process appears as consistent for all investment categories; the investment process described here is thus not specific for energy-efficiency investments only. The results instead indicate an investment process influenced by investment size; it influences the extent to which information is collected and assessed before making the decision, i.e. level of procedural rationality, as well as how the investment project is coordinated within the firm. Last, suppliers are involved in the investment process to a large extent from an early stage. Regarding non-energy benefits, the results indicate that various benefits have been observed but far from all are acknowledged in the investment process. They are to a larger extent acknowledged for larger investments when more resources are devoted to the investment process. Quantifiable non-energy benefits improve the business case for energy-efficiency investments and non-energy benefits should thus be quantified to the extent possible. Yet, nonenergy benefits characterised by a lower level of quantifiability could still be important, such as benefits related to work environment, and should therefore be considered. However, the findings indicate a frequent use and reliance upon an investment manual, implicating a need for simplicity when addressing the additional benefits. This indicates that there should be an emphasis on a limited number of main benefits, rather than seeking to acknowledge all possible benefits.

There is a need to reduce unsustainable use of fossil fuels. Increased usage of renewable energy by combined use of photovoltaic solar panels (PV) with battery storage is one way. Another way is to increase awareness of energy usage and reduce the energy performance gap by building energy-efficient buildings. Buildings have a long lifetime and high energy usage will have an impact for a long time. Barriers, drivers and non-energy benefits (NEBs) for investments in battery storage in photovoltaic systems (PV) in the context of farmers in Sweden with PV systems was investigated by a questionnaire study. The questionnaire was sent to farmers in Sweden who already have photovoltaics installed and about 100 persons answered, a response rate of 59%. Among the drivers for investments in battery storage in PV systems in agriculture it was found that the highest-ranked driver, i.e., to use a larger part of the electricity produced oneself, turns out to be the highest priority for grid owners seeking to reduce the need for extensive investments in the grid. The primary NEBs found were the possibility to become more independent of grid electricity. A method for the building process, called ByggaE, which aims to reduce the energy performance gap, has been developed and described. The method is based on two main processes with activities. Documents that support the activities can be found and stored in the energy documentation, a digital map structure. The two main processes are: The client’s activity to formulate requirements and ways to verify these requirements. The main process for other actors is to identify, handle and follow up risks or critical parts. An overall relation between the energy efficiency gap and the energy performance gap has been identified. Realistic assumptions and follow-up related to the assumptions are found to be important to reduce both the energy efficiency gap and the energy performance gap. / För att uppnå klimatmålen är det nödvändigt att minska den ohållbara användningen av fossila bränslen. Ett sätt är att öka användning av förnybar energi genom att kombinera solel med batterilager. Ett annat sätt är att öka medvetenheten om energianvändningen med dess negativa påverkan på miljön och uppfylla energikraven för nya byggnader bättre. Eftersom byggnader har lång livslängd ger onödigt hög energianvändning påverkan under lång tid.   Hinder, drivkrafter och andra icke energirelaterade fördelar med att investera i batterilager till solel har undersökts i en enkätstudie bland svenska lantbruk. Det kom in 100 svar från lantbrukare som har solel, vilket motsvarar en svarsfrekvens på 59 %. Den viktigaste drivkraften för att investera i batterilager till solelanläggningen är en högre egenanvändning av el. Detta visade sig också vara högst prioriterat av elnätsägare för att minska behovet av kostsamma investeringar i elnätet. Den största icke energirelaterade fördelen med batterilager är större oberoende av elnätet.   En kvalitetsäkringsmetod för byggprocessen har utvecklats och beskrivits. Syftet med metoden, som kallas ByggaE, är att minska skillnaden mellan verklig energianvändning och energikrav i nya byggnader. Metoden bygger på två huvudprocesser med aktiviteter. Beställarens huvudprocess är att formulera krav och metoder att kontrollera och följa upp dessa krav. De andra aktörernas huvudprocess är att identifiera, hantera och följa upp risker eller kritiska moment som kan påverka energianvändningen. Dokument som stödjer aktiviteterna lagras i en digital mappstruktur.   Det är viktigt med realistiska antaganden och uppföljning som relaterar till dessa antaganden för att fler lönsamma energieffektiviseringsåtgärder ska bli genomförda och för att de energiprestanda som krävs eller förväntas ska bli uppfyllda.