Project Fact Sheet
Updated: July 2009
TRAINING CHEMICAL SMES IN RESPONSIBLE USE OF ENERGY (CARE+)
Programme area: / SAVE - Industrial excellence in energyStatus: / ongoing
Coordinator: / Andrea Weigel
Cefic, Belgium
E-mail:
Tel: 0032 (0)2 676 7367
Partners: / Delta Energy and Environment, UK
Bulgarian Chamber of the Chemical Industry (BCCI), Bulgaria
KAUMET Ltd, Bulgaria
AGRIA SA, Bulgaria
Energy Efficient Systems Ltd, Bulgaria
SC SVILUPPO CHIMICA S.P.A., Italy
ILSA spa, Italy
Degussa Goldschmidt Italia srl, Italy
Certiquality srl, Italy
Polish Chamber of Chemical Industry (PCCI), Poland
SILIKONY Polskie Sp.z.o.o., Poland
FOSFAN SA, Poland
Polish National Energy Conservation Agency (KAPE), Poland
Website: / Project website: www.cefic.org/careplus
Italian partner website
Objective: / Promotion of energy efficiency in chemical small and medium sized enterprises
Benefits: / Enable chemical small and medium sized enterprises to realize their large potential for energy efficiency
Keywords: / Energy Efficiency, Industry, SMEs
Duration: / 10/2008 – 03/2011
Budget: / € 798 565 (EU contribution: 74.61%)
Contract number: / IEE-07-827-SI2.499212
Short description
The chemical industry recognises the large potential for energy efficiency in SMEs although energy consumption is not always identified as a priority. This project is designed to bridge the gap between the potential and current practice in chemical SMEs, which account for approximately 20% of the 56 million tonnes of oil equivalents energy use in the chemicals sector.
The work programme is designed to develop a two pronged approach: Firstly, assess the needs and develop best practices and appropriate delivery mechanisms for SMEs in Italy, Poland and Bulgaria. The material and the mechanisms will then be tested with two SME partners in each country. Subsequently, the material and the approach will be refined and a roll-out campaign will be undertaken to reach a relevant number of SMEs per country. It is intended that this initiative will continue after the completion of the CARE+ project and the project wants to explore the options for further internationalisation.
Expected and/or achieved results
Expected results
Ø Develop, test and offer an energy efficiency scheme for SMEs in the European chemical industry (Best Practice Manual and Self Audit Guide)
Ø Disseminate information about energy efficient technologies and energy management systems to SMEs
Ø Through training and auditing, demonstrate to SMEs energy efficiency reserves and the cost-effectiveness of improved practices and technologies
Ø Propose special investment schemes to facilitate implementation of identified energy efficiency measures in SMEs
Ø Improve the sector’s energy efficiency performance
Achieved results
Ø The partners published a report on the experience in the Netherlands and the UK with energy efficiency initiatives and guidance documents.
Ø The partners published a report on the existing policy framework and experience with energy efficiency in the target countries, Bulgaria, Italy and Poland. This will allow the partners to adapt the guidance documents specifically to the national requirements. For example Bulgaria will include a reference to the new energy efficiency legislation which makes energy efficiency audits obligatory for companies above certain annual energy consumption.
Ø The partners successfully undertook a survey on energy management in chemical SMEs which delivered useful conclusions for the development of the guidance documents and specifically the Best Practices on which to focus.
Ø The partners started different marketing activities to draw attention to CARE+ and its possible benefits for SMEs in order to incentivize the participation in the project and engage with SMEs. Activities include the survey and the follow up reporting to participants, a common website and national websites, reaching out to the different public and private stakeholders and disseminating information on the project at conferences and in articles.
Ø The partners prepared a first draft of guidance documents which have been translated in the respective languages of the target countries in order to be tested with the pilot companies. These documents include an introduction to energy management, a number of best practices and a self audit guide.
Lessons learnt
SMEs need a specific approach to reach out to them as they are less involved in associations or groupings. With regard to energy efficiency, they often lack specific personnel and energy management structures, which makes it more difficult to find the right contact person. Therefore, energy efficiency initiatives need to convince the management of a SME.
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