Q: How will the SPEEDIER training materials help SMEs and energy managers in their energy efficiency goals?
A: Firstly, we have developed SPEEDIER training materials to help SMEs and energy managers as they steer their organisation to make a solid commitment to engage properly with the SPEEDIER energy efficiency (EE) model. This involves providing information on national and EU EE targets and the benefits that can accrue to the SME from reducing energy consumption. In addition to energy cost savings, there are other potential benefits such as promoting a green company image to customers and productivity improvements resulting from a new focus on energy consumption.
Once engagement is secured, our training materials will assist SMEs in creating an energy culture within the organisation, a culture that aims to influence every member of staff. This is very important if EE measures are to be successful over time, not just for a few months after implementation. In addition to fostering this energy culture, our training materials will also provide guidance on how to implement no-cost behavioural change Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) by creating social incentive amongst the SME staff, appropriate rewards for new ideas/good results and ongoing progress monitoring and communication.
Finally, we have focused training materials on helping the SME to select the correct ECMs for capital expenditure investment, helping them to carry out in-depth critical analysis of which project to pick and to ensure that the proposed savings can be realised. Once these ECMs are implemented, staff will receive training on how to ensure the measure continues to deliver savings, and how these savings can be ring-fenced and used in the next round of ECM implementation.