A report recently published by the IEA (International Energy Agency) and described and linked here explains why and how to capture the multiple benefits from energy efficiency projects: not just energy cost reduction. The report has also been well covered by Giles Parkinson at Renew Economy.
The report suggests that energy efficiency or “Negawatts” is already the most significant “fuel” – that the reduction in fuel usage in 2010 due to prior energy efficiency investments was bigger than any single fuel source in IEA member countries.
The report emphasises what we’re doing at Efficient Initiatives: reducing energy consumption while improving business outcomes.
- Reducing operating costs, enabling investment in other areas
- Making indoor environments healthier – warmer in winter and cooler in summer
- Boosting productivity
- Refreshing ageing infrastructure
The multiple benefits are shown nicely in the image below from the IEA.
The report shows that for industries, when the values of the improved productivity and operational benefits are added to the investment return calculations, payback periods dropped from 4.2 years – already good- to 1.9 years.