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Effektivt beslutsfattande för energieffektiviseringar – en fallstudie av uppvärmningssystem inom vattenkraften

Harnesk, David LU (2012) MVEM12 20121
Studies in Environmental Science
Abstract (Swedish)
Syftet med studien var att analysera den kringliggande problematiken för energiproducenters beslutsfattningsprocess när de utvärderar investeringar i energieffektiviseringsåtgärder för uppvärmningssystem
i vattenkraftsbaserade produktionsenheter i Sverige. Studien har utgått ifrån de dokumenterade barriärerna för investeringar i energieffektiviseringsåtgärder och applicerar konceptet om Environmental Management Accounting och Total Cost Assessment för uppvärmningssystem på en produktionsenhetsnivå i form av en fallstudie av Sveriges ledande producent av vattenkraftsbaserad el, Vattenfall Vattenkraft AB (Hydro). Forskningen motiveras av organisationens avsaknad av detaljerad information om sin energiförbrukning och kostnader relaterade... (More)
Syftet med studien var att analysera den kringliggande problematiken för energiproducenters beslutsfattningsprocess när de utvärderar investeringar i energieffektiviseringsåtgärder för uppvärmningssystem
i vattenkraftsbaserade produktionsenheter i Sverige. Studien har utgått ifrån de dokumenterade barriärerna för investeringar i energieffektiviseringsåtgärder och applicerar konceptet om Environmental Management Accounting och Total Cost Assessment för uppvärmningssystem på en produktionsenhetsnivå i form av en fallstudie av Sveriges ledande producent av vattenkraftsbaserad el, Vattenfall Vattenkraft AB (Hydro). Forskningen motiveras av organisationens avsaknad av detaljerad information om sin energiförbrukning och kostnader relaterade till den, samt forskningsluckor inom området trots att vattenkraft är världens mest
förekommande form av förnybar energi i världen.

Studien visade på att för att närma sig ett mer rationellt beslutsfattande gällande investeringar i energieffektiviseringsåtgärder behöver Hydro tillgodose ingenjörer med kostnadsanalytiska modeller som
underlättar för att visa de sanna kostnaderna för energieffektiviseringsprojekt. Hydro behöver även tillgodose
organisationen med fysisk och monetär data för produktionsenheters energianvändning och definiera jämförbara relativa indikatorer för produktionsenheternas prestanda. Intervjuer med nyckelpersoner inom
beslutsfattningsprocessen inom området visade på att organisationen fokuserar sig på driftsäkerhet och maximering av anläggningars energiproduktion, och frågor om anläggningarnas energiförbrukning är
lågprioriterade. Detta mynnar sedan ut i en diskussion om vilka drivkrafter och barriärer som existerar inom organisationen för att implementera en ny management praxis där man kartlägger energiförbrukningen och kostnaderna den står för, samt på vilken nivå inom koncernen detta skall finansieras. Uppsatsen avslutas med
ett antal rekommendationer om hur och varför Hydro bör etablera ett Environmental Management Accounting-system och vilka fysiska och monetära parametrar som är viktiga att inkludera när man skapar en
prioriteringsstruktur för investeringar i energieffektiviseringsåtgärder för uppvärmningssystemen i vattenkraftsbaserade produktionsenheter. Studien rekommenderar Vattenfall (som ett statligt ägt företag och
som Sveriges ledande producent av vattenkraftsbaserad el) att etablera detta för att strategiskt positionera sig inför framtida energi- och klimatpolitiska scenarion, att säkerställa att potentiella gynnsamma
energieffektiviseringsåtgärder utförs och för att försäkra sig om att koncernen och dess ägare lever upp till sina uttalade klimat- och energipolitiska målsättningar. Avslutningsvis dras slutsatsen att för att bryta ett principal-agent grundat dödläge inom området behöver åtgärderna vara centralt finansierade, detta eftersom åtgärderna
fyller ut gliporna i den nuvarande miljöprofilen och hjälper koncernen att leva upp till sina uttalade miljöambitioner och följaktligen skyddar sitt rykte och varumärke. (Less)
Abstract
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... (More)
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. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Harnesk, David LU
supervisor
organization
course
MVEM12 20121
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
language
Swedish
id
3563385
date added to LUP
2013-04-12 14:44:36
date last changed
2013-04-12 14:44:36
@misc{3563385,
  abstract     = {{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.}},
  author       = {{Harnesk, David}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Effektivt beslutsfattande för energieffektiviseringar – en fallstudie av uppvärmningssystem inom vattenkraften}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}