A new guide by the Australian Government describes how to maximise the value of energy efficiency assessments, drawing on industry presentations to the Australian Government in relation to the federal Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) program.

The EEO legislation came into effect on 1 July 2006. The initiative encourages large energy-using businesses to improve their energy efficiency by identifying, evaluating, and reporting publicly on cost effective energy savings opportunities. Participation in Energy Efficiency Opportunities is mandatory for corporations that use more than 0.5 petajoules (PJ) of energy per year. Businesses participating in Energy Efficiency Opportunities are required to undertake a detailed energy assessments in order to identify opportunities to improve energy use, and to report publicly on the outcomes.

The new guide details lessons learnt on planning, building involvement, data and analysis, implementing energy efficiency opportunities and accessing support and government assistance.

Interestingly, the ‘soft’ behavioural change factors and the use of Marginal Abatement Cost Curves come out strongly as energy efficiency drivers.

Other tips offered in the report include:

• focus on what matters – “make sure that you link energy efficiency to the things that senior managers and the rest of the organisation are really focused on” (Gabriele Sartori, Stanwell Corporation);
• work on attitudes – “unless you change the attitude and culture of the workforce, a new technology will come along and people will use it in a similar way to the old technology. That might get you a 30% to 40% improvement. If you combine a constructive culture and attitude with the introduction of new technology you are more likely to get a 100% improvement” (David McInnes, Linfox);
• pitch the benefits – “if you approach an assessment primarily as a compliance activity, it’s very hard to engage people – after all, who gets enthusiastic about doing their tax return?” (Sally-Anne Rowlands, Iluka Resources Ltd);
• engage management – “the first time that the management team hears about EEO should not be when you walk in there wanting resources and trying to present your plan” (Zoe McIntyre, Pacific Aluminium); and
• lay the ground for ‘apples with apples’ comparisons – “marginal abatement cost curves are really useful because each of the opportunities that are identified can be compared on a like-for-like basis” (Michael Arens, Brisbane City Council).

Download the guide entitled ‘Industry perspectives from the 2012 EEO workshops: Lessons learned in planning and implementing effective energy efficiency assessments’ (Energy Efficiency Opportunities, March 2013).