Barriers to industrial energy efficiency in foundries: a European comparison

摘要: According to recent studies, the 20% European improvement in energy efficiency will not be achieved with current trends, even adoption of present policies reduce primary use. This is due existence several barriers that hinder energy-efficient technologies and practices. A relevant contribution improved could come from industrial sector, its relevance on total study therefore addresses within foundry industry, a major user strategic player for economy. The research investigates at 65 foundries, them small medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), highlighting critical problems difficulties by evaluating socio-technical frameworks against which have been categorized. Findings show greatest perceived are perception lack resources devoted improving efficiency, other priorities such as importance guaranteeing business continuity. has also performed preliminary analysis factors might affect barriers. In particular, looking size, smaller greater than larger ones, mainly organizational issues, but effect behavioural tend downgrade peripheral issue. highlighted differences type alloy characterizing taken proxy process complexity. Indeed, simpler production processes perceive higher showing need identify effective means promote among those enterprises. Moreover, pointed out performing audits brings more awareness enterprises, existing their efficiency. result seems since it shows analyze depth develop most increase level. Finally when country foundries operate, German suffer far less average, whilst totally different behaviour can observed Swedish ones. These findings open investigate leading barriers, domestic led results. opens means, i.e. drivers, effectively exploited level