Drivers of energy efficiency for manufacturing SMEs in Eurasian countries: a profiling analysis using machine learning techniques

Challenges and opportunities for improving energy efficiency in SMEs: learnings from seven European projects

“…Developed economies have typically developed more favourable legislative frameworks and financial markets to overcome the energy efficiency gap, that is the under-investment in energy-efficient technologies or relatively slow adoption of those technologies (Ozbugday et al, 2022). SMEs are typically focussed on carrying on their routine work for achieving their production targets and ensuring the quality of products and place less emphasis on equipment maintenance and utilisation of energy efficient equipment (Bagodi et al, 2022).…”

“…The research indicated that SMEs had typically not developed an energy strategy for the following 3 years in Germany, Romania, Slovenia and Spain (section A2.2). A good energy strategy should prioritise enhancements of energy efficiency and adoption of energy management methods, whereas strategic objectives related to environmental and climate change issues or the presence of a manager responsible for climate change and environmental issues will not be effective for improving energy efficiency (Ozbugday et al, 2022). In Germany, France, Spain and Italy, it was found that the SMEs of the automotive industry prioritised short-term low-risk energy efficiency measures such as lighting, electric drives, compressed air systems and logistics (section A2.3).…”