Pilot Details |
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|---|---|
| Pilot Name | Collaboration with the Eaas Project |
| Client Type | H2020 Programme |
| Country | Spain |
| Solution Type |
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eEaaS (Efficiency as a Service) is a project funded by the European Commission under the H2020 programme. The main objective of this project is to develop and help mainstream servitisation to support the energy transition and accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency solutions by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe. EaaS is a pay-per-use model where the end-clients only pays for the energy efficiency service they receive, rather than the physical product or infrastructure that delivers the service.
Breakdown
After contacting the Spanish EaaS partner, ANESE (the Spanish association of ESCOs), preliminary conversations were held to identify commonalities in scope and areas of study between the two projects. Having realised that there was great potential for synergies, the research work to be carried out by the Refine project, including eEaaS as a pilot application, was defined.
First of all, the focus of the project and the direction in which the project results are expected to be oriented was analysed. In particular, it was examined whether the option of refinancing has been considered within the EaaS project.
Then, a comparison of the contractual provisions developed in both projects was undertaken, the aim was to search for aspects that coincide or have been overlooked in either of them.
Finally, the facilitation services that may apply to the ecosystem of an energy efficiency “as a service” contract were analysed and proposed.
Although it is not the main focus of the eEaaS project, we believe that more importance should have been given to the interests of a potential financier for the signed contract. ESCOs usually do not have a high financial capacity or sufficient liquidity to undertake several projects with their own funds, so a long-term financial partner or specific financier for one or several projects, is often necessary.
Experience from other pilots indicates that financial institutions are interested in investing in energy services projects, even with greater attention than more traditional “turnkey” projects. This is because they generate revenues in a progressive and sustainable manner, with relatively easy to predict cash flows.
Several aspects that have been covered by both projects from different perspectives during the generation of contractual stipulations, coincide in the solutions provided. Some examples are the ownership rights of the installed equipment, the division of responsibilities between client and service provider, or the permissions to be granted by the owner of the space where the installation will take place.
The path followed by both projects (EaaS and Refine) has had different starting points and approaches, but the coincidence between the conclusions obtained is very relevant and gives a glimpse of the hidden potential of the refinancing of “as a service” projects within the energy efficiency sector in Europe.
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Creara Energy Experts