It takes all sorts to make…an energy saving project?
So often when we sit down with the market actors to discuss the latest findings from the EEVS/Bloomberg New Energy Finance Energy Efficiency Trends publications the conversation ends in a cul de sac; consumers in one corner lament a lack of available finance, while the investors in the other exclaim that there are plenty of funds they are literally champing at the bit to mobilise, but with a shortage of suitably developed projects. The fact is that an energy saving investment, at least one that is large enough to attract decent commercial finance terms, needs to bring together a wide range of skills and professions in work in harmony. Missing one or other member of the chorus means that many exciting opportunities lose the wind in their sails and can reduce in size or ambition.
With this in mind, the ESTA Energy Performance Contracting Group (EPCG) has started an initiative to bring together all these skills and professions under one roof. The aim is to create an industry forum to foster this harmony, as well as a common voice for policy makers and a one-stop shop for consumers looking to drive larger and more ambitious energy efficiency initiatives.
In 2016, we are establishing a regular series of meetings for professionals on the supply side of the energy services market encompassing, but not limited to:
Technical – the energy services industry has grown out of good practice building services engineers developing ‘technical solutions’. Now energy consultants identify the opportunities utilising the innovations of progressive technology suppliers. Surveyors, engineers, designers and project managers lead construction to realise these opportunities while metering and monitoring systems provide the necessary data for specification and for validation of the actions through measurement and verification of the delivered energy savings. It’s not all metal and mortar though – behavioural change and control driven by data analysts and psychologists is increasingly playing a part.
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