
Jenny Palm
Head of department

Extending the energy efficiency gap
Author
Summary, in English
In order to reach the EU: s 20-20-20 primary energy savings target, energy efficiency needs to increase. Previous research on energy use and energy efficiency has focused mainly on the diffusion of energy efficient technologies. The discrepancy between optimal and actual implementation of energy efficient technologies has been illustrated in numerous articles and is often referred to as the energy efficiency gap. However, efficient technologies are not the only ways to increase energy efficiency. Empirical studies have found that a cost-effective way to improve energy efficiency is to combine investments in energy-efficient technologies with continuous energy management practices. By including energy management into an estimated energy efficiency potential this paper introduces an extended energy efficiency gap, mainly in manufacturing industries and the commercial sector. The inclusion of energy management components in future energy policy will play an important role if the energy savings targets for 2020, and later 2050, are to be met in the EU.
Publishing year
2012-12-01
Language
English
Pages
392-396
Publication/Series
Energy Policy
Volume
51
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Elsevier
Topic
- Energy Systems
Keywords
- Energy management
- Market barriers
- The extended energy efficiency gap
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0301-4215