Only non-energy benefits when adopting an EEM? Cases from industry

Considering the industry’s contribution to energy and environmental issues, industrial energy efficiency is recognized as a fundamental step for increased sustainability. Energy efficiency in industry is achieved through the adoption of the so-called Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs). Traditionally, it has been demonstrated how these interventions have both energy benefits, as the reduction of the energy consumption, and the so-called Non-Energy Benefits (NEBs) deriving from the adoption of a certain measure. In the existing literature, however, a considerable part of the scholars and of the practitioners just focus on the identification and definition of the positive benefits deriving from these measures after they have been completely adopted, thus neglecting to describe the full set of either positive and negative effects. Nevertheless, recently, the description of these effects has been accomplished exploiting different approaches. Thus, on the basis of previous literature studies and the emerging needs, that affect both the definition of the entire range of effects and the point of view adopted in their description, we have proposed a novel classification of the relevant items to be considered by an industrial decision-maker when deciding whether to adopt an EEM. Hence, by taking this perspective, we have investigated benefits and losses to ad-hoc selected industries where, through an interview, already adopted EEMs have been analysed. Finally, considerations and implications are drawn from the case studies and suggestion for further research are proposed, in order to improve the description of the EEMs in the industrial sector.