Severn Wye Energy Agency
Summary
ENGINE is a European project funded by Intelligent Energy Europe that promotes the efficient use of energy by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
SMEs hardly ever have the resources to examine and exploit energy efficency opportunities. ENGINE supports SMEs in carrying out the basic analysis and steps needed to become a low carbon business
ENGINE will be implemented by eight project partners in Austria, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the UK. Key results and concepts will be disseminated to all Member States.
Background
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the engine of the European economy, hence the name of the project. In the European Union, SMEs represent 99% of all enterprises, however they seldom have the capacity to exploit energy savings. ENGINE aims at helping the engine of the European economy become more energy efficient.
ENGINE offers SMEs a proper analysis of their current energy performance and works towards regional capacity building by training energy auditors. ENGINE will build up a knowledge pool of concepts, instruments and approaches already available and will launch informational campaigns to increase awareness of energy issues and potential solutions.
Aims
The key objective of ENGINE is to help SMEs become more energy efficient. A further aim is to build regional capacity to guarantee SMEs receive support in pursuing this goal.
The objectives are to:
- Motivate SMEs to implement energy efficiency measures
- Promote innovative energy services and financing concepts
- Train energy auditors and build up expert pools
- Accelerate market introduction of energy services to SMEs
- Communicate energy efficiency to relevant decision makers and stakeholders
- Disseminate and transfer successful concepts and measures
ENGINE activities are directed at two main target groups: SMEs, which have a relevant level of production and energy consumption, and energy professionals, to enhance opportunities to share their expertise through training and networking.
ENGINE is targeted towards SMEs and experts in the following industries:
- Metal (engine construction, metal processing)
- Automotive (component manufacturers for car manufacturing)
- Wood (sawmills, furniture, carpentries)
- Food (dairies, breweries, food processing)
Partners
The project is a European partnership co-ordinated by Target GmbH from Hanover, Germany.
Other partners are:
- AGIMUS GmbH, Brunswick, Germany
- Ambiente Italia, Milan, Italy
- Austrian Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
- KanEnergi AB, Skara, Sweden
Project Activity
ENGINE is to be implemented by the relevant project partners in Gloucestershire, (England), Götaland (Sweden), Lower Saxony (Germany), Lombardy (Italy), and Vienna, (Austria).
The sole responsibility for the content of this document lies with the authors. It does not represent the opinion of the European Communities. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
Coordinator
Mike Brain - Head of Business Services
![[email]](site_graphics/icon_email.png){kind=icon} | mike |  |
![[phone]](site_graphics/icon_phone.png){kind=icon} | 01452 835074 | |
Related Projects
ENGINE activities aim to increase energy efficiency in SMEs in two ways: first of all energy advisors are appropriately motivated and trained. Secondly, these experts will approach SMEs, and carry out energy efficiency checks. In general the structure of such a check can be described as follows:
- Current situation: site inspection, data collection, identifying focus, interviews
- Elaboration: describing company, analysing data, benchmarking
- Determination: determining energy saving potentials
- Proposal: drafting an implementation plan and suggesting necessary steps
ENGINE aims to carry out 56 energy efficiency assessments in SMEs with the focus on metal and automotive production and processing, wood and food industries. After carrying out the assessments, ENGINE will make an evaluation of the success of this approach. In due course, ENGINE will be able to present the results of these activities as case studies.
SWEA will carry out seven of these assessments, in the metalworking and food processing sectors.
ENGINE will define and establish quality standards not only for tools, but also for the training of advisors and other stakeholders.
The lack of awareness and information is still a major obstacle for innovation in regional business. ENGINE will provide informational and promotional campaigns targeted at decision makers in companies, regional authorities, associations and consultants and other relevant stakeholders.
The campaigns will promote the specific ENGINE services such as the training or the energy assessments, and will also inform generally about the possibilities and potentials of becoming energy efficient
Funding
This project is part funded by the EU's Intelligent Energy Europe programme.