On Tuesday 4 July, the LEAP4SME project, funded by the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, was presented at a conference at the European Parliament devoted to the application of the new energy efficiency directive (see EUROPE 13139/11) for SMEs. It aims to bridge the gap between energy efficiency policies and SMEs.
The project highlights data from the International Energy Agency indicating that SMEs account for at least 13% of global final energy consumption annually. “Supporting the energy transition of SMEs is essential to help the EU achieve its energy efficiency targets”, states a project press release.
“SMEs are deeply rooted in local communities and have a better understanding of their specific energy needs; their presence makes it possible to put in place local energy solutions tailored to specific regions, resulting in improved energy efficiency and reduced transmission losses”, said Patrizia Toia (S&D, Italian), Vice-Chair of the ITRE Committee.
LEAP4SME recognises that these companies can reduce their environmental impact, make significant savings and improve their overall competitiveness by tailoring energy efficiency policies to the size and activity of the target companies.
It also highlights the importance of collaboration between SMEs, via exchange networks, and recognises the importance of “quality” energy audits, to ensure accurate assessments and effective energy-saving measures.
LEAP4SME also highlights the relationship between energy efficiency measures and a company’s performance. The rapporteur for the Energy Efficiency Directive, Niels Fuglsang (S&D, Danish), emphasised that very point: “The ecological transition will become a competitive advantage for businesses. This means alternating heating systems with heat pumps, making the most of excess heat, switching to LED lighting and implementing intelligent energy management”.
To find out more about LEAP4SME, go to https://aeur.eu/f/7w8 (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)