Improving Energy Efficiency in Industrial Energy Systems: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on Barriers, Energy Audits, Energy Management, Policies, and Programs

✍ Scribed by Patrik Thollander, Jenny Palm (auth.)

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag London
• Year: 2013
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 162
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Industrial energy efficiency is one of the most important means of reducing the threat of increased global warming. Research however states that despite the existence of numerous technical energy efficiency measures, its deployment is hindered by the existence of various barriers to energy efficiency. The complexity of increasing energy efficiency in manufacturing industry calls for an interdisciplinary approach to the issue.

Improving energy efficiency in industrial energy systems applies an interdisciplinary perspective in examining energy efficiency in industrial energy systems, and discusses how “cross-pollinating” perspectives and theories from the social and engineering sciences can enhance our understanding of barriers, energy audits, energy management, policies, and programmes as they pertain to improved energy efficiency in industry.

Apart from classical technical approaches from engineering sciences, Improving energy efficiency in industrial energy systems couples a sociotechnical perspective to increased energy efficiency in industry, showing that industrial energy efficiency can be expected to be shaped by social and commercial processes and built on knowledge, routines, institutions, and methods established in networks. The book can be read by researchers and policy-makers, as well as scholars and practicians in the field.

“This book is extremely valuable for anyone who is designing or executing energy efficiency policies, schemes or projects aiming at SMEs. Both authors deserve the highest respect, and the combination of their expertise makes the results truly unique.” - Daniel Lundqvist, programme manager at the Swedish energy agency

“For anyone interested in improving energy efficiency in industry, this is a must-read. The book combines tools from social science and engineering to discuss the state of art today as well as possible development path tomorrow. This is a compelling book that I find useful both in my teaching and my research.” - Kajsa Ellegård, Professor at Linköping University, Sweden

"The book Improving energy efficiency in industrial energy systems is a novel approach on how improved levels of energy efficiency can be reached in industrial energy systems by merging engineering with social sciences. It is with delight that I can recommend their book to anyone interested in the field.”- Mats Söderström, Director Energy Systems Programme, Linköping University, Sweden

✦ Table of Contents

Front Matter....Pages i-xvi
Setting the Agenda....Pages 1-14
Improving Energy Efficiency in Industrial SMEs....Pages 15-34
Barriers to Energy Efficiency: Theoretical Baseline, Previous Research, and Methodological Approaches....Pages 35-59
Sociotechnical Perspectives on Technological Development....Pages 61-71
Barriers to Energy Efficiency from a Sociotechnical Perspective....Pages 73-83
Managing Energy Efficiency in Industry: Theory and Practice....Pages 85-104
Policies Promoting Improved Energy Efficiency....Pages 105-134
Concluding Discussion: Elaborating on the Energy Efficiency Gap....Pages 135-145
Errata to—Chapter 1: Setting the Agenda; Chapter 2: Improving Energy Efficiency in Industrial SMEs....Pages E1-E2
Back Matter....Pages 147-151

✦ Subjects

Renewable and Green Energy; Energy Efficiency (incl. Buildings); Industrial Organization; Sustainable Development; Engineering Economics, Organization, Logistics, Marketing