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Evidence collected by researchers over several decades suggests that the successful implementation of the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS) may deliver significant, cost-effective energy savings over many years. However, before starting EEOS in Latvia, predictions by energy efficiency policy researchers envisaged that it is at high risk of...
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... A different approach is represented by negotiated agreements, which differ for various degrees of policy-induced incentives for action, which could be absent (completely voluntary agreements) or represented, for example, by penalties, exemptions from existing measures, or threats of future regulation. Several studies have highlighted the positive effects of this policy tool [37][38][39][40]; other studies found mixed results [41] or showed such measures would need some modifications to ensure the achievement of 2020 targets [42,43]. The great diversity in terms of motivational power and coverage affects their effectiveness, as shown in [44], comparing China, Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, and the UK, and investigating the potential of such a policy tool for ASEAN countries [45,46]. ...
The importance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from economic, social, and environmental point of views and the crucial role of energy efficiency are widely recognized. However, the development of effective policies and their analysis are still challenging topics, for which research is relatively scarce. The main reasons for this are the high heterogeneity of SMEs, their low energy impact compared with energy-intensive enterprises, the lack of quantitative in-formation on the energy consumption of SMEs, and the low awareness of SMEs on energy topics. The structural paradigm change in the energy markets has underlined the importance of EE in SMEs. Several studies have been devoted to analyzing EE policies, using different methods and targets, not necessarily with a focus on SMEs or quantitative figures. This study presents a scoping review aimed at mapping the scientific literature on this topic, assessing its volume, nature, characteristics, type of evidence available, key concepts, and possible gaps. The existing contributions were systematized on three assessment levels regarding the EE policies for SMEs: general framework for their classification; comprehensive analysis of contributions providing qualitative information; in-depth analysis of evaluation studies including quantitative information. This study highlights the need for a good balance between economic and supportive mechanisms and the crucial role of energy audits. The analyzed contributions show that despite SMEs’ efforts to develop EE policies, there are still important barriers to be addressed. Moreover, there is an important lack of quantitative analyses, which are necessary for the development a harmonized policy evaluation approach. Based on a synthesis of the review findings, key learnings for the better design, implementation, and evaluation of EE policies for SMEs are provided.
... In these studies, how the issue of fuel poverty should be handled in EEOS, how to address this issue (Moser 2013;, and monitoring methods (Arsenopoulos et al. 2020) are suggested. Improvements for single national schemes were studied, such as in Italy (Caragliu 2021;Stede 2017), Latvia (Blumberga et al. 2021;Locmelis et al. 2019), Poland (Rosenow et al. 2020). Some studies offer improvements on emission issues in the EEOS application (Rosenow and Eyre 2013), white certificate trading timing for the ESCOs (Ahmadi et al. 2020), and liberal market competition in compliance (Giraudet et al. 2020). ...
... An ex-post study showed 95% savings from information and 5% from consumer-side efficiency. Due to the lower costs of some actions, parties also avoid fund contributions (Blumberga et al. 2021). During the transfer of the Polish EEOS from the first to the second period, the buy-out price rose to provide additional incentives for delivering energy savings rather than selecting the buy-out option (Rosenow et al. 2020). ...
The Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS) is a market-based policy mechanism that requires energy companies that sell energy to end-users to carry out energy efficiency measures on end-users. Within the scope of this study, EEOS’ implementations and studies are reviewed to contribute to setting up an obligation scheme in Turkey. By reviewing the existing literature, studies are grouped and summarized. Also, existing EEOS experiences were presented. Critical points, success parameters, and lessons learned from the EEOS were investigated, and the review results were discussed for possible adoption of Turkish EEOS. Finally, the study was concluded by proposing future research topics for Turkey.
... Finally, following the 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive, the EU saw a rise from six to 15 energy efficiency obligation schemes (EEOS), as member states were urged to adopt these to meet energy-saving objectives (Fawcett et al., 2019). The significance of EEOS is further highlighted in a 2020 European Commission report, revealing that EEOS is the most crucial policy measure regarding cumulative energy savings, delivering more than onethird (35.59%) of all cumulative energy savings during the period from 2014 to 2017 (Blumberga et al., 2021). The role of utilities is paramount in this context as they can play a critical role in promoting energy-saving measures within the framework of EEOs (e.g., the installation of flow restrictors for domestic hot water systems). ...
Domestic hot water production is the second most important energy use in the European residential sector, nowadays accounting for 14% of the sector’s total final energy consumption. Despite its importance, the energy efficiency improvement rates for domestic hot water are lower than for other residential energy services, hence calling for energy-saving measures. One key measure is to install flow restrictors. Their advantages are the low upfront cost, easy installation, and suitability for integration into energy efficiency programs. Focusing on flow restrictors, this paper presents different methods for quantifying the energy savings using ex-ante and ex-post approaches: deemed savings (DES), dedicated measurements (DMs), and monthly and yearly billing analysis (SMBA and ABA). These methods were tested using information based on measurements (water flow, temperatures), historical billing analysis, a survey among inhabitants, and interviews with field experts. While measurements made at individual faucets or showerheads show significant water savings (20% and 33% respectively), energy savings associated with hot water production in the boiler (final energy) are significantly lower (around 10%) but far from being negligible. The main reasons for the difference are thermal losses related to hot water distribution in central heating systems, usages not affected by flow restrictors, and inhabitants removing them. We conclude that flow restrictors offer promising potential for short- to medium-term implementation. Given the simplicity of this solution, we recommend including it systematically in energy efficiency programs, as well as implementing a ban on fixtures with flow rates beyond a predefined level.
... However, it has a major shortage; namely, the savings from any energy-saving measure are defined by the Energy Efficiency Catalogue. The specific energy savings assigned to information activities are too high, thus impeding the implementation of technological measures [69]. Reports to the EU about the progress of implementation of National Energy Efficiency Action Plans show that the major share of Latvia's cumulative savings is achieved due to tax increase [70]. ...
The energy transition from inefficient fossil-based to sustainable energy systems can face various lock-ins. There are no pathways that are free of stress. However, many routes are possible. A good understanding of the dynamic behavior of systems is crucial, and proper support tools are needed to assess the outcomes of every selected pathway. This study aims to develop an Internet-based interface tool for the national energy simulation model as a tool for a “hybrid forum”; study energy transition lock-ins in one of the Eastern European countries; and apply the interface tool to study different pathways to Latvia’s climate and energy goals. System dynamics are used to reach the goals of the study. A causal loop diagram is applied to study feedback loops and lock-ins, a stock-and-flow structure is used to build a simulation model, and a user interface tool is built on top of it. The results show that the developed interface tool is user-friendly and can be used as a discussion platform. The results from the case study reveal how the soft power of Russia can lock in the energy transition in Eastern European countries by creating policy choices with additive effects and what pathways towards energy transition can be used to lock-out.
This study focuses on designing a massive open online course (MOOC) to enhance students learning about the energy transition process and its connection to climate change in theory and complex dynamic systems. The course ‘Energy transition and climate change’ covers one of the United Nations’ ‘Sustainable development goals’ and is one of twelve MOOCs that will enable a comprehensive education in system thinking and its applications. It shows how system thinking methods and tools can be applied to tackle current and future energy and climate problems. The goal of the MOOC is to introduce users to the internal dynamics of modern energy systems and energy transition toward CO2-neutral energy systems. The target audience of the course is students who study Environmental Engineering, Energy, Systems, or similar program and anyone else interested in insights into the topic. The course builds on previous energy supply and demand models by updating and adapting them to the existing situation. MOOC is designed by the Competency-Based Education (CBE) approach, and a literature review is used in the study to cover theoretical parts of the course. Technology Readiness Level (TRL) methodology describes the main steps of the course model development progress, and testing of MOOCs pilot version on five students is included in the final stage of the study.
The draft Digital Marketss Act, published in 2020, promises specific market regulation tools to shape the market behaviour of global platform providers, reflecting the European Commission's previous competition rulings on platform providers. It is a market regulation solution which seeks to avoid abuses of dominant position by platform providers through ex ante instruments, in particular in related markets where operators base their business models on the use of platforms and where platform providers themselves may offer their own services. The study analyses the background, regulatory concept and main provisions of the draft regulation.
