Analysis of current barriers and solutions in the implementation of energy efficiency methods in the European industry

Abstract

This research is a state of the art of the main barriers and solutions that can be found in the implementation of energy efficiency measures and methods in industry, such as Energy Audits or Energy Management Systems (EMS). It aims to bring together in a single document the lessons learned from the efforts of the European Union over the past decade to increase energy efficiency in industry. The article catalogues and analyses 20 legal, technical, economic, cultural and organisational barriers that are still present today and as an added value it provides with a table of multiple, accessible and current solutions as well as with potential improvement pathways to overcome each of them. The ultimate purpose of this work is to stablish a higher starting point, with more awareness and available solutions, from which to start in order to accelerate the decarbonisation of the industry and subsequently be able to achieve the latest and more ambitious objectives set in the ‘Fit for 55’ package in the EU.