GEAR@SME

GEAR@SME aims to address the untapped potential of energy efficiency in SMEs. The future common methodology supports local “Trusted Partners” bridging the gap between SMEs (demand side) and suppliers of energy services (supply side). SMEs will effectively undergo energy audits and implement energy-saving measures.

Collective approach for more energy efficient SMEs

GEAR@SME – Generate Energy Efficient Acting and Results at Small & Medium Enterprises is a new Horizon 2020 Coordination and Support Action with ten partners, coordinated by the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research. The 2.5-year-long project aims to encourage and disseminate energy efficiency efforts in SMEs, through a shared approach characterized by three unique and innovative aspects:

• The introduction of “Trusted Partners”, whose key role is to operate as an impartial actor to foster the establishment of a relationship of mutual trust between SMEs (demand side) and energy service providers (supply side), so that SMEs can undergo energy audits and implement energy-saving measures;
• The development of a local collective approach that allows the exchange of experiences and information based on the affinity of interests and geographical proximity;
• The introduction and use of the concept of “Multiple Benefits”, i.e. the exploitation of the benefits that can be obtained from a structured approach to energy efficiency, which go beyond the simple savings in the bill.

The activities of GEAR@SME will focus on four main industrial areas that bring together about 800 SMEs: The aim is to convince at least 300 of them to commit to the effective implementation of measures to reduce consumption and improve efficiency in energy use. This would lead to potential savings of 11 GWh per year and investments of up to €4 million. Furthermore, it will be possible to widen the resonance of the approach developed also outside the partners directly involved in the case studies, helping to create the conditions for companies to find the right support and motivation to start energy efficiency interventions.

This methodology will be applied to four case studies (Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Romania) and supported by the development of a multilingual portal, where self-assessment tools, training material, and best practices will be made available. SYNYO is in charge of developing the online portal and integrating all the practical outcomes, as well as working closely with the other partners on the exploitation of results. The consortium is formed by partners from the Netherlands (TNO, coordinator, CCS and CLOCK), Sweden (CIT Industriell Energy AB), Italy, (CERTIMAC and CNA Ravena), Romania (Technical University Cluj Napoca and ServElect), Germany (Berlin Energy Agency) and Austria (SYNYO).

Links

https://www.gearatsme.eu/

Keywords

SMEs, energy efficiency, smart advisor, common methodology, networking, collective approach