Effektivt beslutsfattande för energieffektiviseringar – en fallstudie av uppvärmningssystem inom vattenkraften
Author
Summary, in English
The purpose of this study was to analyze the problems surrounding the decision making process for a energy producer when dealing with (potential) energy efficiency measures. This work creates the basis of a investment prioritizing structure directed at heating systems within Swedish hydro power based production facilities managed by Vattenfall. The research was called for by Vattenfall, as the organization lacked both a decision making process and detailed information on energy consumption and costs in this area. A situation found to be a general knowledge gap throughout the field of study despite hydro power being the most common form of renewable energy in the world. The study is centered on the documented barriers for energy efficiency and develops a process to apply established concepts of environmental management accounting and total cost assessment to the issue of efficiency measures of heating systems. After delivery of an in depth literature review and delineation of a structured cost assessment methodology, this study documents a case study at a production unit level at the hydro power department of Vattenfall Hydro in order to validate the approach.
It was found that in order to move closer towards achievement of rational decision making for energy efficiency investments, Hydro needs to provide engineers and accountants with cost assessments frameworks that aid the presentation of the true costs of energy efficiency projects. Hydro also needs to gather and provide physical and monetary data for the energy usage at given facilities or operational units, and then define comparable relative environmental performance indicators. The work builds arguments that key decision making figures within Hydro generally focus their time and money on ensuring safety of operation and maximizing energy production rather than engaging in facility-based energy (demand-side) efficiency. Working from this, the thesis discusses drivers and barriers to the implementation of new management routines for mapping costs of energy consumption patterns and at what organizational level it should be financed. The study then delivers recommendations of how and why a environmental management accounting system should be implemented, and what important physical and monetary data need to included when creating a investment prioritizing structure for heating system energy efficiency measures in hydro power based production units. Findings also reflect Vattenfall’s status as a state-owned corporation and Sweden's leading hydro power based energy producer. With this in mind, this report recommends that measures be taken in order to further Vattenfall’s strategic position and reputation within future energy and climate political scenarios. It is found desirable that the organization ensures that it seizes potentially beneficial energy efficiency measures for reason of political standing and stakeholder legitimacy – by this it is inferred that there may be significant reputational value in such work. Finally it was concluded that in order to break a principal-agent dilemma based stalemate noted within the analysis, it is suggested that such endeavors may need to be centrally financed by Vattenfall, with the motivation that this aids in the filling of gaps in their current environmental profile and help them live up to the environmental ambitions communicated at a corporate level.
It was found that in order to move closer towards achievement of rational decision making for energy efficiency investments, Hydro needs to provide engineers and accountants with cost assessments frameworks that aid the presentation of the true costs of energy efficiency projects. Hydro also needs to gather and provide physical and monetary data for the energy usage at given facilities or operational units, and then define comparable relative environmental performance indicators. The work builds arguments that key decision making figures within Hydro generally focus their time and money on ensuring safety of operation and maximizing energy production rather than engaging in facility-based energy (demand-side) efficiency. Working from this, the thesis discusses drivers and barriers to the implementation of new management routines for mapping costs of energy consumption patterns and at what organizational level it should be financed. The study then delivers recommendations of how and why a environmental management accounting system should be implemented, and what important physical and monetary data need to included when creating a investment prioritizing structure for heating system energy efficiency measures in hydro power based production units. Findings also reflect Vattenfall’s status as a state-owned corporation and Sweden's leading hydro power based energy producer. With this in mind, this report recommends that measures be taken in order to further Vattenfall’s strategic position and reputation within future energy and climate political scenarios. It is found desirable that the organization ensures that it seizes potentially beneficial energy efficiency measures for reason of political standing and stakeholder legitimacy – by this it is inferred that there may be significant reputational value in such work. Finally it was concluded that in order to break a principal-agent dilemma based stalemate noted within the analysis, it is suggested that such endeavors may need to be centrally financed by Vattenfall, with the motivation that this aids in the filling of gaps in their current environmental profile and help them live up to the environmental ambitions communicated at a corporate level.
Department/s
- Studies in Environmental Science
Publishing year
2012
Language
Swedish
Full text
Document type
Student publication for Master's degree (two years)
Topic
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
Supervisor
- Philip Peck
- Sören Ek