Local knowledge creation with the use of Industrial Energy Efficiency Networks (IEENs): A Swedish case study

Backman, Fredrik

doi:10.1016/j.erss.2018.03.027

Cited by 10 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…One conclusion is that transport biofuels need recognition and the engagement of multiple perspectives; therefore, they advocated for having a PNS approach to the issue. 4. There is no immediate and no ultimate test of a solution to a wicked problem.…”

Section: Wicked Problems Have No Stopping Rulementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research in the area has mainly revolved around the implementation of cost-effective energy-efficiency technologies. One critique to the current research approaches is the large focus on information [4], while for example Thollander and Palm [5] emphasized the importance of considering culture, routines, and values for how energy efficiency is approached in an organization. Moreover, earlier research has stated that there is a large untapped potential for non-technology operational improvement measures resulting from sound…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Energy Efficiency as a Wicked Problem

2019

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Together with increased shares of renewable energy supply, improved energy efficiency is the foremost means of mitigating climate change. However, the energy efficiency potential is far from being realized, which is commonly explained by the existence of various barriers to energy efficiency. Initially mentioned by Churchman, the term "wicked problems" became established in the 1970s, meaning a kind of problem that has a resistance to resolution because of incomplete, contradictory, or changing requirements. In the academic literature, wicked problems have later served as a critical model in the understanding of various challenges related to society, such as for example climate change mitigation. This aim of this paper is to analyze how the perspective of wicked problems can contribute to an enhanced understanding of improved energy efficiency. The paper draws examples from the manufacturing sector. Results indicate that standalone technology improvements as well as energy management and energy policy programs giving emphasis to standalone technology improvements may not represent a stronger form of a wicked problem as such. Rather, it seems to be the actual decision-making process involving values among the decision makers as well as the level of needed knowledge involved in decision-making that give rise to the "wickedness". The analysis shows that wicked problems arise in socio-technical settings involving several components such as technology, systems, institutions, and people, which make post-normal science a needed approach.2 of 11 energy management principles [6,7]. Another line of argument is that there has been a lack of a systems approach in energy efficiency research [8]. One perspective that could contribute to an enhanced understanding of improved energy efficiency is the perspective of "wicked problems". A wicked problem is a problem that has a resistance to resolution because of incomplete, contradictory, or changing requirements. The solution depends on how the problem is formulated, and vice versa, the problem definition depends on the ideas about the solution. Efforts to solve a wicked problem may impair the situation or create other problems because of complex interdependencies. Relating to Valentine et al. [9], wicked problems arise when different worldviews collide.One example can be derived from the Swedish industrial energy policy program PFE (Program for improving energy efficiency in energy intensive industry). Stenqvist and Nilsson [10] could prove that the policy instrument as such was effective, and from a technical perspective, large savings have occurred for the two five-year program periods. This indicated a "success" or "effectiveness" of the policy, but in a governmental report, also bringing in the neoclassical economic perspective on the policy, the improvements could also be due to other mechanisms that are not necessarily connected to the PFE [11].A second example of a wicked problem is the view of what is and what is not an energy efficiency measure. Relating again to Valenti...

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Section: Wicked Problems Have No Stopping Rulementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Efficiency as a Wicked Problem

2019

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“…Qiu (2016) analyzed the regenerative braking system of electric vehicles by energy flow, and proposed the contribution rate parameters of the two methods of series braking strategy and parallel strategy, and proposed the optimal strategy to improve the energy efficiency of electric vehicles [26]. Backman F participates in the Industrial Energy Efficiency Network (IEEN) to introduce customized energy management practices into SMEs, demonstrate network effects between industrial enterprises, and quantitatively and qualitatively assess network efficiency [27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on regional energy efficiency based on GIS technology and image quality processing

Chen

2019

Journal of Visual Communication and Image Representation

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“…Left to their own devices, SMEs will lack the right tools. This can be seen in later research, which has shown that SMEs must participate with energy efficiency learning on a deeper level than just receiving an energy audit report or attending some general seminar (Backman, 2018;Palm and Backman, 2017).…”

Section: Energy Efficiency Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research has shown that combining a comprehensive energy audit with a management scheme appears to improve companies' internal work with energy efficiency; this is particularly true for the non-energyintensive sector and for SMEs (Koewener, 2011;Jochem and Gruber, 2007;Backman, 2018). In this way, several measures can be used and combined to build internal expertise within a company, including written materials, workshops, education courses and training, onsite training, and capacity building through active participation in events such as energy audits.…”

Section: Energy Efficiency Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy efficiency in Swedish SMEs: Exploring barriers, knowledge creation and the role of municipal energy efficiency programs

Backman¹

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The overall aim of this thesis is to analyze how municipalities support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their work to improve their energy efficiency. The purpose of this study is to increase the current understanding of how the methods and tools used by municipalities to assist SMEs in improving their energy efficiency influence the end results in terms of achieved energy efficiency, and how knowledge related to energy efficiency is created within SMEs. This thesis consists of two separate case studies that examine how two municipalities used a network approach to support SMEs in implementing energy efficient measures.The theoretical frameworks of policy networks, barriers, communities of practice (COPs), and energy efficiency networks were used in this thesis. The findings are presented in the appended four articles. An overall conclusion is that networks that provide information in the form of a report with technological solutions as the only output are less likely to reach the agreed-upon goals. To achieve a more successful result, SMEs must be active in the process; they must be allowed to create knowledge and understanding that they perceive as valuable and relevant for themselves. Another important result is that information is not automatically transformed by SMEs into knowledge. In fact, SMEs need a platform from which they can negotiate the received information and use it to create knowledge through practice and social interaction. Finally, it was found that the type of technological solution is not insignificant; the type of energy efficient measure to be implemented and its level of complexity affect how a municipality should support energy efficiency work among SMEs.

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Local knowledge creation with the use of Industrial Energy Efficiency Networks (IEENs): A Swedish case study

Cited by 10 publications

References 41 publications

Energy Efficiency as a Wicked Problem

Energy Efficiency as a Wicked Problem

Research on regional energy efficiency based on GIS technology and image quality processing

Energy efficiency in Swedish SMEs: Exploring barriers, knowledge creation and the role of municipal energy efficiency programs

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