Energy management: A key driver of energy-efficiency investment?

Investments in energy efficiency often remain undecided upon and there is a large potential for enhancing energy efficiency in the industrial and commercial sectors. Within this context, the aim of the research project M_Key Management as a key driver of energy performance is to better understand how large-scale energy consumer (LSEC) companies make energy-efficiency investment decisions. With about 35% of the total Swiss electricity consumption, LSECs are an important target group for energy efficiency programmes in Switzerland. The goal of this paper is to present and describe the main findings of M_Key (Management as Key for Energy Performance) research project. For the first time, these findings extensively depict large-scale energy consumers in Switzerland. They highlight the low level of energy management in Swiss LSECs and of the resources allocated to tackle energy issues. Due to a lack of monitoring and control tools, companies have difficulty assessing their energy-efficiency investments. Energy issues are not generally a priority for companies, with a few exceptions, mainly in large firms. Requirements from national or cantonal energy policies have a significant role (and in the case of SMEs a key role) in inciting companies to action. When energy efficiency is perceived as strategic, companies tend to have a high level of energy management. The better the energy management system is, the more likely the chances are for a positive decision on energy-efficiency investment. Another important conclusion is that the more strategic a project or investment is considered to be, the less restrictive are the financial criteria applied. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.