Energy Efficiency

For renewable energy systems to provide energy as effectively and economically as possible it is important that energy efficiency measures are taken to ensure that the energy demand is not greater than necessary. Energy efficiency measures should be taken before any new generation equipment is installed. Such measures can include the use of energy efficient appliances, energy management and monitoring, process efficiency improvements, combined heat and power, insulation and sensible user behaviour.

IT Power has experience in making recommendations for energy efficiency measures for homes, businesses and small scale industries. These are often made as part of an overall sustainable energy project combining energy efficiency with renewables.

Activities

Activities in energy efficiency have included:

• Energy assessments, audits and recommendations for energy savings
• Financing energy efficiency projects and establishment of funds
• Working with industry to promote energy efficiency

Example Projects

• In 2008 IT Power has been working with a steel manufacturer in China to help register its waste heat recovery project as a Clean Development Mechanism project.  IT Power is responsible for the preparation of the necessary documentation and helping with the validation of the project.
• In Mongolia, IT Power worked on a project which set up renewable energy PV and wind-diesel hybrid systems and implemented energy efficiency measures in pilot off-grid remote villages (Soum Centres).  The company provided capacity building to the stakeholders as well as a relevant policy framework to support renewable energy technology and energy efficiency in Mongolia
• In 2002 IT Power worked on the Establishment of the Production Technology and Product Marketing Consortium (PTPMC) for energy efficiency in China. This project is part of the UNIDO Project 'Energy Conservation and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction in Chinese Township and Village Enterprises (TVEs) - Phase II'

  The UNIDO TVE Project aimed to improve the energy efficiency of small village level industries, particularly in the brick, cement, coking and metal-casting sectors through the removal of various institutional barriers and the creation of the PTPMC which will advise and provide finance for TVEs to implement energy efficiency measures. Finance will come from a specially created Revolving Capital Fund (RCF).

  IT Power's principle inputs were Business Plan preparation and training. IT Power ensured the design and establishment of the Production Technology and Product Marketing Consortium (PTPMC), supplying help for PTPMC registration, developing a business plan for the sustainable operation of PTPMC, training the PTPMC staff for capability strengthening, and developing a partnership strategy for PTPMC.

• IT Power worked on overcoming financial barriers to energy efficiency projects when it was appointed as the support team to the UNDP-FINESSE programme in SADC countries. IT Power provided technical and financial expertise and expert review. The FINESSE strategy (Financing Energy Services for Small-Scale Energy Users) recognises the need for commercial, institutional and financial mechanisms to deliver renewable energy and energy efficiency services. Business plans were developed for organisations in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lesotho, Malawi, Angola and Namibia.