certification, qualification schemes and networks for escos · certification, qualification schemes...

© Berliner Energieagentur , FIRE

Certification, qualification schemes and networks for ESCOs

WP 4: Manual Nr. 2

Version 070830

Reported by Berliner Energieagentur GmbH

Federazione Italiano per l’Uso Rationale dell’Energia

and input from EUROCONTRACT project partners

The sole responsibility for the content of this document lies with the authors. It does not represent the

opinion of the Community. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made

of the information contained therein.

EUROCONTRACT – WP 4 – Certification, qualification schemes and networks for ESCOs

Content

071217_WP4_Manual_2_Certification, DD/01/YYYY 2 of 45

© Berlin Energy Agency and authors

Content

Abstract ...............................................................................4

1 Introduction ...................................................................5 1.1 Definition of terms....................................................................... 6 1.2 Goal and intention ....................................................................... 9 1.3 Approach.................................................................................... 9 1.4 The structure of this report ..........................................................10

2 Existing certification, qualification schemes and networks for ESCOs...................................................... 11

2.1 ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 ............................................................11 2.2 Structure for a uniform description of different schemes..................12 2.3 Description of different schemes...................................................13

2.3.1 Thermoprofit®....................................................................13 2.3.1.1 Introduction and background to Thermoprofit® ............13 2.3.1.2 Thermoprofit® Structure.............................................15

2.3.2 DECA – Dachverband Einsparcontracting Austria – Umbrella organisation Energy Performance Contracting Austria..............................................................................21

2.3.3 NAESCO............................................................................23 2.3.3.1 Introduction and background to NAESCO .....................23 2.3.3.2 Certification structure ................................................23

2.3.4 State of affairs in different European countries.......................26 2.3.4.1.1 Germany..................................................................26 2.3.4.1.2 Italy ........................................................................27 2.3.4.2 Development on an EU-wide level ...............................28

3 ESCOs or Energy Services? Outline of possible accreditation and certification procedures ................... 31

3.1 Introduction...............................................................................31 3.2 Requirements for ESCO certification..............................................32

3.2.1 Low implementation cost.....................................................32 3.2.2 Low effort for ESCO ............................................................32 3.2.3 Qualification measures and quality assurance ........................32 3.2.4 Evaluation criteria ..............................................................32 3.2.5 Consideration of needs of SME energy service providers..........32 3.2.6 Surveillance.......................................................................33

3.3 Guidelines of a simple certification scheme for ESCOs .....................33 3.4 Quality Standards for Energy Services...........................................35

3.4.1 Example EPC .....................................................................35


Content

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© Berlin Energy Agency and authors

3.4.2 Certification of Services? .....................................................36

4 Conclusion, recommendations and outlook .................. 37


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© Berlin Energy Agency, FIRE

Abstract

Energy service companies (ESCOs) are important agents in the process of promot-ing energy efficiency improvements. With a few exceptions such as Germany, Aus-tria, Hungary and to some extent also France, the ESCO industry is still in an early stage and ESCOs are struggling to get off the ground.

The entry into force of the Directive 2006/32/EC in May 20061 on energy end-use efficiency and energy services aims at stimulating and facilitating cost-effective in-vestment in energy efficiency and wants to foster the development of ESCOs (Art. 6).

In the last years, in the wake of this directive as well as a series of European and national laws on the subject and the increased sensibility to energy efficiency and rational use of energy a number of companies have been set up for the supply of integrated services to final energy users, in the field of energy management and energy saving. These energy services are carried out by ESCOs in part or in full, both directly or through sub-contracting, but generally with the assumption of full responsibility and risk in achieving the expected results. The payment of the ser-vices provided is performance base, i.e. made on the basis of results and savings achieved.

In a situation of market development, when an instrument is not fully established, how does a customer know if the service offered is of high quality and how can he make an objective choice in the market? On the other hand how can the provider of a service prove that the service offered meets the demands of the client?

A solution for both sides could be the confirmation of norm—conform-proceedings of an expertise by an independent body.

This manual shows different kinds of certification, qualification schemes and net-works exist for ESCOs i Two questions are discussed then > what could the outline of a European certification scheme look? However, keeping in mind the different initial starting points of each country and different perceptions of energy services and energy service companies the question arises if there are other possibilities of assuring quality of energy services.

1 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2006




1 Introduction

What is certification?

Certification refers to the confirmation of norm-conform-proceedings of an enterpri-se by an independent accredited certification body.2 Certification is the operation intended to assure the conformity of products, services, or systems to the require-ments established by technical regulations (mandatory certification), or technical standards, or equivalent normative documents (voluntary certification), by means of technical proceedings consisting of proper combinations of elementary operations (modules or elements), selected as function of the characteristics of the “items” to be certified, in a way as to provide an appropriate level of confidence. In contrast to that accreditation means declaring and attesting that an inspection authority fulfils the prerequisites of executing certifications or energy management-procedures.3

Why certification?

The use of services or products give rise to a number of “demands” from the social and economical system to which they are addressed and which may be summarized into the demand of preventive assurance of their adequacy for the intended use. Such demand refers substantially to the quality and quality assurance requirements and the regulations and market requirements. The answer to such a demand has two scopes:

� on the one end, it allows the client and users/consumers to make an objective choice in the market;

� on the other end, it provides producers and suppliers with reference parameters for a more effective market.

Questions arising from this, which will be addressed in this document, are

� How can ESCO certification help ESCOs?

� How can certification help customers?

� A pre-condition of certification is the agreement on the scope of services and definition of the term “ESCOs”.

2 Qualitätsmanagement-Lexikon, http://www.quality.de/lexikon/zertifizierung.htm; see also

http://www.iso.org for definitions in the context of the ISO family standards 3 Qualitätsmanagement-Lexikon, http://www.quality.de/lexikon/akkreditierung.htm




1.1 Definition of terms

Energy Services

Energy services include a wide range of activities, such as energy analysis and au-dits, energy management, project design and implementation, maintenance and operation, monitoring and evaluation of savings, property management and equip-ment supply.4 To date no EU-wide standardized definition of energy services exists, but the some definitions do exist:

� The European directive on energy services provides the following definition for energy services:

“The physical benefit, utility or good derived from a combination of energy with en-ergy efficient technology and/or with action, which may include the operations, maintenance and control necessary to deliver the service, which is delivered on the basis of a contract and in normal circumstances has proven to lead to verifiable and measurable or estimable energy efficiency improvement and/or primary energy savings” 5

� Another description is provided by the European Commission’s Joint Re-search Centre:

”Energy services include a wide range of activities, such as energy analysis and au-dits, energy management, project design and implementation, maintenance and operation, monitoring and evaluation of savings, property/ facility management, energy and/ or equipment supply as well as provision of service (space heating,/ cooling, lightening, etc.)”6

Contracting/Energy Performance Contracting (EPC)

Regarding the types of energy services and their scope, like Contracting and herein Energy Performance Contracting (as the key instrument dealt with in the EURO-CONTRACT context, there is no EU-wide definition either.

In Germany, the German DIN 8930-5 defines different types of contracting: energy supply contracting, energy performance contracting, financing contracting and technical plant management. Describing the different contracting types, the DIN includes the objective of the respective contracting type, fields of application, ser-

4 Paolo Bertholdi, Silvia Rezessy, Energy Service Companies in Europe, Status Report 2005, European

Commission, DG JRC, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Renewable Energies Unit, 2005, p. 17 5 European Parliament and Council of the European Union, Directive 2006/32/EC of the European Parlia-

ment and of the Council of 5 April 2006 on energy end-use efficiency and energy services and repealing

Council Directive 93/76/EEC, Official Journal L 114, 27.04.06. p.68. 6 European Commission. Directorate General Joint Research Centre, Energy Service Companies in

Europe, Luxemburg 2005, p. 17.




vice components, kind of remuneration and relevant legislation. These definitions and descriptions list basic elements for contracting models.

� The German Norm DIN 8930-5 defines Contracting as:

”Temporarily and locally limited transfer of tasks of energy provision and energy supply to a third party, who acts in their own name and on their own account.”7

� Another definition is provided by the German ‘VDMA8-Einheitsblatt Performance Contracting’. According to this Performance Contracting is the collective per-formance (planning, execution, optimization of the operation of technical build-ing plants) aiming at the guaranteed amelioration of the results (especially prof-itability, substantial value of the building, conditioning of the building) on the basis of an equally created collaboration and form of contract. Refinance of in-vestments is carried out by the guaranteed cost savings in the duration time of the contract. 9

Energy Service Companies (ESCOs)

Furthermore, when looking at the providers of energy services, also there until now no European definition for energy service companies exists.

According to the energy service directive services are offered by energy service companies (ESCOs), which are

“A natural or legal person that delivers energy services and/or other energy efficiency improvement measures in a user's facility or premises, and ac-cepts some degree of financial risk in so doing. The payment for the services delivered is based (either wholly or in part) on the achievement of energy efficiency improvements and on the meeting of the other agreed perform-ance criteria.”.10

The activities of ESCOs are characterized by a number of services, depending on the types of contracting, whether it is EPC, ESC or Operational Contracting. Key and

7 Deutsche Norm. DIN 8930-5. Kälteanlagen und Wärmepumpen. Terminologie. Teil 5: Contracting, Ber-

lin, 2003, p. 2: „Contracting: zeitlich und räumlich abgegrenzte Übertragung von Aufgaben der Energie-

bereitstellung und Energielieferung auf einen Dritten, der im eigenen Namen und auf eigene Rechnung

handelt. ANMERKUNG Energieformen sind z. B. Kälte, Wärme, Strom, Druckluft.“ 8 VDMA is the German Association of machinery and industrial equipment manufactueres 9 VDMA –Einheitsblatt Performance Contracting – Begriffe, Prozessbeschreibung, Leistungen, Verband

Deutscher Maschinen und Anlagenbau e.V. (VDMA), Februar 2000 10 European Parliament and Council of the European Union, Directive 2006/32/EC of the European Par-

liament and of the Council of 5 April 2006 on energy end-use efficiency and energy services and repeal-

ing Council Directive 93/76/EEC, Official Journal L 114, 27.04.06. p.68.




the same for all types is a guarantee of performance as a specific part of any con-tracting contract.

The guaranteeing of energy savings and/or the provision of the same level of en-ergy service at a lower cost by implementing an energy efficiency project is there-fore the first characteristic. Secondly the remuneration of ESCOs is directly tied to the energy savings achieved. Thirdly ESCOs typically finance or assist in arranging financing for the installation of energy saving measures and fourthly they retain an operational role in measuring and verifying the savings over the contract duration period.11

In order to qualify as ESCO, the respective company has to dispose a wide array of competences such as:

� Engineering competences requested for:

- Energy audits,

- Feasibility studies and technical & economic analyses,

- Preliminary and detailed project designs,

- Assessment of the compliance with technical rules and regulations,

- Monitoring and measures.

� Entrepreneurial abilities for the realization of plants, with purchase and installa-tion of machinery and equipment, put in operation and final testing.

� Entrepreneurial abilities for the operation and maintenance, including the supply of the necessary fuel and electric power, the guarantee of compliance with rele-vant norms, and appropriate energy management.

� Economic and financial competences, with optimal knowledge of energy prices and their trends, prices for plant equipment and accessories, capacity to analyse investment and management costs, proceeds and expected profits.

� Administrative, contractual and legal abilities, for proposing, negotiating and defining the most appropriate contracts with customers, suppliers and sub-contractors.

� Financial capability, both in own-account and through financial institutions, in order to provide financing for the identified measures (Third Party Financing -TPF).

� Ability to assess risks and guarantee their coverage, directly and through insur-ance companies.

� Training capacity for own and customers’ staff.

11 Paolo Bertholdi and Silvia Rezessy (s.a.), p. 17-18




Further definitions are provided in the frame of existing accreditation schemes as elaborated in chapter 2.3. Definitions do in most cases at least have in common the principal aspects of full technical risk assumption for improved energy efficiency and reduced operation and maintenance costs and also include in most cases the responsibility of planning lies with the ESCO. However no one definition is being used.

It is important to note, that energy services can only be brought into the market if these services correspond with the perceptions of the customers, which brings us back to the goals of this manual.

1.2 Goal and intention

The idea of this manual is to look at possibilities and the issues around accredita-tion and certification procedures conforming the Energy Service Directive and to provide a possible way for ESCO certification.

In order to acquire broad customer confidence, energy services and their suppliers, the ESCOs, need to demonstrate a constant good quality. Two principle solutions are possible:

1. Certification of the ESCO

2. Certification / Quality standards for the services provided

Some ESCO certification procedures already exist. Even if there are not many up to now, the goal is to identify the certification process and the requirements which are necessary to become an ESCO. Looking at the process and the ESCOs requirements we want to give an outline of possible accreditation and certification procedure. This way, our intention is that the manual contributes to a better understanding of the certification process of ESCOs.

In the light of the recent discussions on EU level in the task force 189 of the CEN/CENELEC also the second option needs to be discussed in order to provide some conclusions and recommendations.

1.3 Approach

The basis was laid through a desk study. For further needed information, it was personal contacts were tapped and telephone interviews conducted. Information provided by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) as well as national standardization bodies (e.g. SINCERT in Italy, DIN in Germany were examined and used as far as available.




1.4 The structure of this report

After an overview the existing certification and qualification schemes are described in a certain structure to make a comparison possible. Chapter three has the goal to give an outline of a possible accreditation and certification based on the previously researched schemes. At the end a guideline is given. Conclusions and recommenda-tions are given in chapter four. In its annex the manual shows different certification models world-wide.




2 Existing certification, qualification schemes

and networks for ESCOs

2.1 ISO 9000 and ISO 14000

Not even having definitions on activities which are performed by energy service companies, in Europe there is not yet a standardised certification system to ascer-tain such competences of energy service companies. ISO 9000 (and/or 14000) cer-tification can, however, constitute a meaningful preliminary validation of the com-pany’s general abilities. ISO 9000 is a family of standards for quality management systems. ISO 9000 is maintained by ISO, the International Organization for Standardization and is administered by accreditation and certification bodies. A company or organization that has been independently audited and certified to be in conformance with ISO 9001 (which is one of the family standards for manufactur-ers) may publicly state that it is "ISO 9001 certified" or "ISO 9001 registered." Cer-tification to an ISO 9000 standard does not guarantee the compliance (and there-fore the quality) of end products and services; rather, it certifies that consistent business processes are being applied.

The ISO 14000 environmental management standards exist to help organizations minimize how their operations negatively affect the environment (cause adverse changes to air, water, or land), comply with applicable laws, regulations, and other environmentally oriented requirements, and continually improve on the above. ISO 14000 is similar to ISO 9000 quality management in that both pertain to the process (the comprehensive outcome of how a product is produced) rather than to the product itself. As with ISO 9000, certification is performed by third-party organizations rather than being awarded by ISO directly. The ISO 19011 audit standard applies when auditing for both 9000 and 14000 compliance at once.

ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 standards are implemented by some 887 770 organiza-tions in 161 countries.12

Energy management system certification conforming the American National Stan-dards Institute’s ANSI Standard MSE 2000 or Danish Standards is the most appro-priated quality assurance guarantee.

Furthermore, there are several “lower level” documents such as standards, uniform criteria etc.

12 International Organization for Standardization, http://www.iso.org/iso/en/iso9000-

14000/understand/inbrief.html




2.2 Structure for a uniform description of different

schemes

For comparison of different schemes a uniform description of various ESCO accredi-tation and certification processes is needed. We have tried to follow a structure ac-cording to the following categories:

Name (trademark):

The name of the certificate.

Responsible organisation:

The organisation who is certifying the company and/or issuing the label.

Certification:

Description of the certification process.

Evaluation criteria:

Documents which are necessary to provide for the certification (projects descrip-tions, financial statements etc.).

Effort for the ESCO:

How much effort is the certification for the ESCO (man power, selection of docu-ments, adaptation of company procedures).

Time frame:

How long does it take to pass the whole certification process.

Costs:

Expenses for the certification process. How high is the annual fee to use the label.

Qualification measures:

Which qualification measures exist in the ESCO or have to be introduced because of the certification?

Standardisation:

Are there standardized project flows? Which parts of the energy service are stan-dardized?

Quality assurance:

What is assured, what is guaranteed, how is it controlled?

Services to ESCO:

What benefits do ESCOs have because they are certified? (e.g. newsletter, work-shops, market activities, call for tenders in advance…)




Marketing of label:

How does label communicate with customer?

Network:

Is there a network for certified ESCOs?

Suggestions for improvement:

Remarks (image, marketing ability etc.):

Examples, links (www) and references:

2.3 Description of different schemes

2.3.1 Thermoprofit®13

2.3.1.1 Introduction and background to Thermoprofit®

Thermoprofit® was first conceived as part of the Municipal Energy concept Graz (Kommunales Energiekonzept Graz, KEK). It was developed in a collaborative ap-proach with participating representatives from utilities, local authorities, companies, NGOs, etc.

Thermoprofit® contains the key elements of Third Party Financing and Energy Per-formance Contracting, while being organised in a more flexible way. In particular, Thermoprofit® is focused less on advance financing by the contractor. It also in-cludes models in which the ESCO optimises energy use on the basis of either an energy saving guarantee or a performance-based fee, while the owner of the build-ing remains in charge of the financing himself. Characteristics of the Thermoprofit®

partners is, that they offer a guarantee for undisturbed operation, the observance of comfort parameters, guaranteed energy and cost savings, etc. In providing the energy services required, they do not only take on comprehensive tasks on behalf of the user of the building, but also technical and economic risks.

Thermoprofit® constitutes a quality label linked to a series of standards to be met by enterprises and their projects. The owners and/or users of buildings are guaran-teed reliable high-quality offers. The Thermoprofit® was primarily developed for the owners of larger real properties.

The model is profitable for all kinds of public buildings, for residential property de-velopers, banks, insurance companies and businesses from trade and industry.

13 More information about Thermoprofit® can be found at www.grazer-ea.at; www.thermoprofit.at




Thermoprofit® Plus focuses on ecological constructions and renovations. The eco-logical materials implemented within the contracting projects are of major impor-tance.

Overall GEA could be awarded several prizes for its impulse program, its Thermo-profit® brand and for several contracting projects.14

� Objectives of the Thermoprofit® Program

The market development and penetration of total service packages is to be reached via four main strategies:

1. Creation of a Thermoprofit® network of competent suppliers

2. Developing and establishing quality standards

3. Independent support provided by the Graz Energy Agency and three other Styrian partner agencies

4. Information and marketing initiative

Several public bodies, in particular the city of Graz and the Styrian Chamber of Commerce (Wirtschaftskammer Steiermark) are involved in the development and dissemination of Thermoprofit. A close co-operation takes place with a number of further partners at institutional and expert level as well as with authorities on the regional and on the municipal level. This helps to establish framework conditions for the smooth implementation of Thermoprofit® projects. Essential characteristics of Thermoprofit® projects are:

� Reduction of energy used in buildings

� Economic advantages for owners and users of buildings

� Direct or indirect reduction in pollutants and CO2 emissions

� Planning and implementation carried out by a Thermoprofit® partner

� Thermoprofit® guarantees that energy costs will stay below a defined limit

Advantages of the Thermoprofit® service is the independent consulting and project accompaniment, as well as the support for finding the best suitable ESCO because of know how and market knowledge. Furthermore there is security at developing the contract and there are low overall project costs because of efficient project de-sign and qualified contract negotiation.

14 For example the “Austrian Energy Professional Award” by the ministry for the environment several

times and 2006 the European Energy Service Award for outstanding services for the development and

dissemination of energy services.




Up to now around 30 energy performance contracting projects were initiated and managed by GEA over the last few years as a consultant and adviser. With those projects around 130 buildings and four street lighting facilities were modernised leading to investments of around 12 Mio. €. The savings reached were from 20 % up to more than50 % in comprehensive projects.

2.3.1.2 Thermoprofit® Structure

Name (trademark): Thermoprofit® and Thermoprofit® plus15

ESCOs who are certified and who are evaluated by the Commission are allowed to use the quality label Thermoprofit®


Graz Energy Agency is certifying the company and issuing the label.

Certification:

Graz Energy Agency is also in charge of evaluation and of preparing the certification of enterprises as Thermoprofit® partners. This certification takes place every two years. In order for an enterprise to be certified as a Thermoprofit® partner, or to keep its certification, it must fulfil certain conditions and observe certain quality standards in project handling. Finally an independent committee decides whether the enterprise in question is admitted to the network and certified as a Thermo-profit® Partner and are entitled to use the quality label.

As partner companies mainly ESCOs, energy supply companies, plant manufac-turer, technical offices, civil engineers etc. are addressed. The certification as Thermoprofit® partner authorises a company to use the trade name Thermoprofit®.

Companies who commit themselves to obey the Thermoprofit® criteria and are able to proof their ability through an evaluated reference project can apply for the Thermoprofit® certification. If no reference project is available the required qualifi-cations can be obtained through seminars. Subsequently, the projects should be implemented according to the Thermoprofit® quality criteria. The first according project will be evaluated by the Graz Energy Agency. If desired, the Graz Energy Agency supports during project implementation.

The preconditions for a certification and the reference projects are evaluated by GEA. Wheter a company is certified as Thermoprofit® partner decides an independ-

15 Thermoprofit® plus focuses on ecologic materials, ecological constructions and renovations.




ent commission with representatives of the City of Graz, Styrian Chamber of com-merce, Country of Styria and the Austrian Energy Agency. The Thermoprofit® part-ners are evaluated every 2 years and the positive evaluation of the commission is the precondition that the certification will be renewed.

Figure 1: Steps how to become a Thermoprofit-Partner

In addition, the programme Thermoprofit® has established the first certification process for ESCOs in Europe. The following five energy service companies are certi-fied in Austria as Thermoprofit® partners:

� Energiecomfort Energie und Gebäudemanagement GmbH

� Siemens AG Österreich

� Steirische Gas-Wärme GmbH

� WDS-Wärmedirektservice der Energie Graz GmbH

Submission of

of documents

Examination of preconditions for the company

Thermoprofit-Basis-Seminar

Decision about certification through Thermoprofit-commission

Award of certification

No reference project

Evaluation of reference project




� Elektrizitätswerk Gösting V.Franz nunmehr GmbH & Co KG

The role of Graz Energy Agency is threefold:

a) To support market development for energy services

b) To further develop the models and

c) To offer specific support for building owners


The following qualifications and documents are needed for the certification process:

1. Technical competence. Proof of ability in the domains of building analyses, technical planning of energy saving measures, renewable energy resources, structural engineering of energy saving measures, maintenance, service, motivation of users, thorough references, projects and qualification of staff.

2. Proof of a comprehensive service as general contractor, which com-prises the components planning, implementation, maintenance, operation and financing, roved through brochures, offers and projects.

3. Stable development of the company. Submission of annual accounts of the three last completed business years of the company. Documentation of turnover of the last completed business year in the business area which is similar to Thermoprofit®. Important for Thermoprofit® projects is the long-term reliability and economic stability of a company. Criteria for this are the audit of credit-worthiness as well as the appraisal of the annual terminations of the last three years.

4. Number of staff occupied with Energy Performance Contracting, heat sup-ply or similar business areas in the last three completed business years. Nomination of staff which will be occupied with the implementation of Ther-moprofit® projects and mentioning of their qualification.

5. Observance of all legal and official regulations during business activ-ity. Information about the company is needed:

a. Contact for Thermoprofit®

b. Commercial register excerpt (no older than 3 month)

c. Trade authorisation

Especially, acts on foreigner employment, environmental regulations, exis- tence of all plant approvals and all required authorisations.

6. Documentation of at least one reference project, which corresponds to the quality criteria of Thermoprofit. The reference project should

give the following information:




a. Investment volume

b. Realised measures

c. Proof of fulfilment of the quality criteria for Thermoprofit® projects

d. Contact address of client

The reference project must fulfil the quality criteria of Thermoprofit® projects. Suit-able projects are especially Energy Performance Contracting projects.

The commission is based on these documents evaluating the technical, legal and economic basics for the execution of contracting projects and the uptake and certi-fication as a Thermoprofit® member. For the economic stability special economic indicators are applied.


In average within one week (approx. 40 hours) the requested information could be delivered.

Time frame:

This depends when the commission has time and all commission member come to-gether to decide about the company in question. For the last member who joined the Thermoprofit® network the whole evaluation process (from asking documents, supporting and answering questions, checking the incoming documents, preparing everything for the commission, finding evaluation date with commission members, decision of becoming a member) lasted around 2 month.

Costs:

The annual costs for members are divided in a fixed share and a variable amount which depends on the project volume executed within one year.

Fixed amount: € 1.000,- net The variable amount is depending on the number and the investment volume of the contracting projects per year according to the following table:




Variable amount for Thermoprofit® membership The fee is used for marketing of the network, use of the brand Thermoprofit® as well as for services in the frame of the network.


If the needed qualifications or trade authorisations are not available in the com-pany, they have to make sure that within a certain time frame the qualifications have been acquired by staff and can be proved.

Standardisation:

Several standardized steps are needed to realize a Thermoprofit® project. First of all there is a basic analysis and pre check for possible measures. After that possible financial support is checked out and the development of a suitable implementation model is investigated. Step 3 is then the evaluation of the best ESCO, the develop-ment of the project basics, the contract and the call for tender. Step 4 is the evaluation of the offers and the contract negotiation as well as the finalization of the contract. Last step (Step 5) is the realisation of the project and the parallel con-trolling.

Project volume in Euro Variable amount in Euro

< 250.000 Euro 1.000 € net

250.000 – < 600.000 Euro 3.000 € net

600.000 – 1 mio Euro 5.000 € net

> 1 mio Euro 8.000 € net




Figure 2: Development of a Thermoprofit Project:

Quality assurance:

The following quality criteria are the heart of the Thermoprofit® idea:

� Thermoprofit® guarantee: warrant and fulfilment of guarantee for the cli-ent:

- Reduction of energy costs or upper limit of energy costs (energy perform-ance contracting) or a guaranteed price for heat delivery (delivery con-tracting)

- Maintenance of comfort and service

� Contentment of client with the service of the Thermoprofit® partner (pro-ject implementation, maintenance, service, swift adjustment in case of trou-bles etc.)

- High quality standard of implemented measures

- Comprehensive optimisation: all possible measures within a project

� Contract

- Transparent and coherent verbalisation

- Transparent costs

- Balanced risks

� Integration of regional companies as partner or subcontractor in Ther-moprofit® projects.

Services to ESCO:

Under the Thermoprofit® Program many activities to develop the ESCO market have been embraced in order to stimulate the market and reach tangible results: from fact sheets to best practice documentation, guidelines and model contracts, training of energy agencies and potential ESCOs, experience exchange via conferences and presentations and a wide range of PR activities like newsletter, brochures etc. In addition, support is provided for building owners to identify and develop the right implementation model and to help to implement a project. ESCOs get as an service the call for tenders in advance. ESCOs also have a big advantage if they are certi-fied because the label is well known up to now and therefore it proves outstanding quality among energy service providers.

Marketing of label:

Central to the activities was to provide ensured quality to overcome the barrier of lacking confidence and understanding. The Thermoprofit® quality label, linked to a




series of standards to be met by enterprises and their projects, has been estab-lished that is now widely recognized.

The Thermoprofit® label can only be used exclusively by Thermoprofit® partners who will be evaluated by the Graz Energy Agency and an independent commission in regular intervals with regard to their observance of Thermoprofit® standards.

Network:

All certified ESCOs are part of the Thermoprofit® network, coordinated by GEA which is also acting as a turntable for Thermoprofit® issues. GEA is also responsible for the project management and in charge of implementing and supporting the re-quiring networking and marketing activities.

Suggestions for improvement: It was considered to also develop Thermoprofit®

and energy performance contracting also for small communities and to facilitate the contract and the process for implementation of projects. Up to now this idea was not further developed so far.

Remarks (image, marketing ability etc.):

A further development of the Thermoprofit® network is always worth a considera-tion. Especially within changed framework conditions the network should also keep its well known brand all over Europe also in the future.


www.grazer-ea.at

www.thermoprofit.at

2.3.2 DECA – Dachverband Einsparcontracting Austria – Umbrella organi-

sation Energy Performance Contracting Austria16

The Association was established 2005 and stands for innovative Energy Perform-ance Contracting solutions in the field of buildings and plants. The overall goal is to save energy resources and intelligent use of existing saving potentials in buildings. The associations represents the members interests in the frame of common envi-ronmental and economic as well as political goals. The members keep their inde-pendence in the operative business. The association is seeking to be an outrider within the EU by allowing know how and information exchange. Well known Aus-trian suppliers for energy contracting are members of this association. To date there are six members:

16 Source and more information: www.deca.co.at




� Axima Gebäudetechnik GmbH

� Conness Energieberatungs-, Planungs- und Betriebs GmbH

� Elektrizitätswerk Wels AG Solutions

� MCE Building & Infrastructure Solution GmbH

� Oekoplan Energiedienstleistungen GmbH

� Siemens AG Österreich, Building Technologies

� VA Tech Elin EBG

The association informs interesting parties and consumers actively and in an objec-tive manner about the advantages and barriers of the instrument energy perform-ance contracting. Furthermore the association is standing for an improvement of political and fiscal framework conditions for Energy Performance contracting.

� Goals of the association:

� To establish Energy Performance Contracting as a common known and understood name of the service.

� To mediate broadly basic knowledge for the execution of energy performance contracting projects

� To anchor Energy Performance Contracting as a job outline and a company profile

� To produce market transparency

� To forward quality assurance of the service

� To provide information

� To support potential customers with concrete requests

� To use internal experience and information exchange to supply customers with the optimal contracting solution

� Service of the association members

� Basis of decision making through transparent offers

� Development of innovative and individual solutions for energy saving at an optimal cost-benefit ratio

� High professional competence of the employees as well as from the coopera-tion partners

� Setting of high technical standards




� Implementation of high quality technique to ease the environmental burden

� To maximize the use of renewable energy sources

� Implementation of environmentally friendly materials

� Calculate realistic energy saving potentials

� Stick to cost and saving guaranties

� Trustee and advocate for buildings and plants which are committed to us

� Confidentiality and contract loyalty are for us self evident

The association therefore does not certify the ESCOs but provides an umbrella or-ganisation and experience exchange among the members.

2.3.3 NAESCO

2.3.3.1 Introduction and background to NAESCO

The American Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) started its ac-creditation17 programme in 1996. The programme was introduced on request of American energy service companies who wanted to set up some uniform quality criteria.

2.3.3.2 Certification structure

Name (trademark):

n.a.


American Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO)

Certification:

Only ESCOs that are members of NAESCO can apply for accreditation. Currently, NAESCO has about 90 members, twenty of which are ESCOs in a wider sense. NAESCO differentiates between ESCOs, Energy Service Providers, ESP, (additional profile: companies also provide energy supply service) and Energy Efficiency Con-tractors, EEC, who in most cases offer only limited services of an ESCO, e.g. spe-cialised on lighting technology.

Of the twenty companies, six have been accredited as ESCOs. The application proc-ess is open twice a year with announcement of half a year in advance.

17 NAESCO uses the term “accreditation”. From the definitions given in chapter two and used in this

manual it should be meant the process of certification





The respective company has then to provide a set of documents including the fol-lowing:

� Description of the company

� Organisational chart

� Description of capability as ESCO

� Overview on types of services offered

� Approach to measurement and verification

� Information of 50 relevant service projects

� Curriculum vitae of key staff

� Contract documents

� Financial statement as approved by accounting company


One of the five members of the accreditation committee reviews these information, interviews representatives of the projects referred to, asks the applicant for addi-tional information if needed and summarizes all information for the other four members 18

Time frame:

n.a.

Costs:

Fees for the accreditation procedure are to be borne by the applicant.


n.a.

Standardisation:

NAESCO offers a performance contract template, but companies are not obliged to use them.

Quality assurance:

In earning accreditation, an ESCO has been determined to possess the following:

� the technical and managerial competence to develop comprehensive energy efficiency projects, defined to include lighting measures; efficient motors

18 Information by Nina Lockhart, Senior Programme Manager at NAESCO, 02.08.06.




and drives; and measures involving heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems;

� the technical and managerial competence to provide a full range of energy services, defined to include conducting energy audits; providing or arranging for project financing; design engineering; providing operations and mainte-nance services; and verifying energy savings according to accepted industry practice;

� and the regular business practice of developing performance-based projects, defined to mean projects for which the developer's compensation is contin-gent upon the projects realizing verified cost savings.

Services to ESCO/ Marketing of label:

A company accredited, receives a certificate and a label that can be used for mar-keting purposes. The certification is well known and accepted so far. It will, for ex-ample, improve the applicant’s score in tender procedures for public buildings.

Network: NAESCO has been the pre-eminent national trade organization in the energy ser-vices industry for twenty-four years, representing all key stakeholders and acting as the industry advocate for the delivery of cost effective energy services to all cus-tomer classes. NAESCO is the home for key industry players, including ESCOs, dis-tribution companies, distributed generation companies, engineers, consultants and finance companies and works collaboratively with allied trade groups, policy groups and customer representatives to accelerate market development and growth.

Suggestions for improvement:

Based on input from a Board Subcommittee and the independent Accreditation Committee, the NAESCO Board, adopted a series of recommendations from the working group which it believes will reduce the data burden on participating com-panies while keeping the key program elements in place and maintaining program rigor. NAESCO continues to work with end-users to better communicate the value of the achievement of accreditation.

Remarks:

Linked to the accreditation scheme of NAESCO is also the FEMP programme, since both collaborate, and FEMP, the Federal Energy Management Programme that ac-cepts NAESCO accredited companies on to a fast track project lane.


www.naesco.org

www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/




2.3.4 State of affairs in different European countries

2.3.4.1.1 Germany

According to the German accreditation office, Trägergemeinschaft für Akkreditierung GmbH, there is no special certification scheme for ESCOs in Ger-many. ESCOs are, therefore, certified by those certification bodies that are accred-ited for energy supply companies. Like this, ESCOs can be certified according to the ISO 9000 family standards for their quality management systems and according to the ISO 14000 family standards for their environmental management systems (s.a. point 2.1)

However, certain quality elements for ESCO services have been formulated with the German standard DIN 8930-5 and the description of energy performance contract-ing by the Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e.V. - VDMA 24198 (s.a. point 2.1).

VDMA 24198 – besides providing an description of energy performance contracting, describes different phases of the implementation process and provides the market actors with criteria for evaluating different bidders and offers.

The criteria include:

Capacity at operational level:

• expertise e.g. in planning, implementation and optimisation of building technology in different crafts

• Reliability • Productivity • Experiences/ references • Solvency • Regional representation

Cost efficiency of the offer

• Annual savings • Amount of investments • Financing • Possibility of contribution to the investment by the client • Contract duration • Share of the energy savings to client • Share of the energy savings to the contractor • Value enhancement

Technical Service • Functionality • Handling • Safety in operation • Productivity • Expenses for maintenance




Userfriendly implementation

• Terms for implementation • Disturbance of the users • Disturbance of operation • Instruction of the service staff of the client

Environmental aspects

• Emission reduction by efficient use of energy • Energy savings • Water savings • Utilization of renewable energies • Utilization of clean technology

These criteria might be a starting point or could give reference for a certification of ESCOs.

However, not disposing of a national certification system there have been develop-ing some private initiatives aiming at transparency in giving evaluation criteria for competence and performance of energy services to potential clients.

A German working group on energy services19 has itself recently committed to clas-sify its services into four service levels. These service levels are oriented at the dif-ferent contracting models defined in DIN 8930-5 (see point 1.1). The assignment into a service level implies a commitment of a certain competence towards prospec-tive clients. This self-estimated classification is subject to a plausibility check by the market and its participants which are mainly organised in the working group.20

2.3.4.1.2 Italy

In Italy there exists a pressing need in for certification procedures which derives from two sources:

⇒ Legislation: The Energy Efficiency Decrees 24.4.2004 instate the White Certificates which can be issued to, besides the energy distributors, the ESCOs, however without specifying “who” they are.

⇒ Market: There is a long history in Italy of energy service outsourcing and contracting, mostly in the Public Administration sector, which is continu-ously growing.

19 ESCO Forum im ZVEI (composing of former Federal Association of Private-Sector Energy Contracting

Companies – Bundesverband Privatwirtschaftlicher Energiecontracting-Untermnehmen and Contracting

Forum im ZVEI) 20 For more information see www.zvei.org




However the relationship between the two contracting parties is quite asymmetric, as the Public Administration has generally insufficient knowledge and expertise in facing the aggressive offers of the Service providers in this field. There is therefore the need of recognizing the quality level of the tenders, and having available appropriate contract models.

To state “who” are the energy service providers that can access to the White Cer-tificates, the AEEG ( the electricity and gas regulating authority) has fixed the minimal rule of having in their constitutive act the “Energy Service Provision” among their activities. As a consequence the public list in the AEEG website of such energy service providers has quickly exceeded half of thousand, causing some con-fusion in the market.

Such list has now been substituted with the list of companies that have actually ap-plied for, and/or obtained, White Certificates.

UNI and CEI, also following a FIRE request, have therefore established a joint work-ing group UNI/CEI/GGE to define Standards with the definition and minimum re-quirements of the ESCOs, and with the minimum professional requirements of En-ergy Manager and experts, which can usefully support them.

UNI/CEI/GGE has then established two specific working groups: one for the defini-tion of the ESCO UNI/CEI Standard, and one for the Energy Managers.

FIRE has subsequently presented two draft specifications: one on ESCO and one on Energy Managers.

These specifications have been examined in the two working groups and converted in draft UNI/CEI Standards.

FIRE has started promoting the Certification process, once again asking the national Accreditation Organization SINCERT to define a specific Technical Regulation for the ESCO Certification.

SINCERT has subsequently established a specific “SINCERT/ESCO” working group including all the stakeholders’ categories, mainly the ESCOs, the Certification Or-ganization and representatives of the potential customers. The Technical Regulation is expected to be available by mid 2007.

2.3.4.2 Development on an EU-wide level

Against the background of a mandate of the EU-Commission to the European body of standardization (CEN) and the Directive 2006/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2006 on energy end-use efficiency and energy services works for the establishment of a norm for ESCOs have recently begun in the European Union. Article 8 of the directive states:

“With a view to achieving a high level of technical competence, objectivity and reliability, Member States shall ensure, where they deem it necessary, the availability of appropriate qualification, accreditation and/or certification




schemes for providers of energy services, energy audits and energy efficiency improvement measures…”

In November 2006 the CEN working group Task Force (TF) 189 „Energy Management“ with the project team (PT) „ESCO“ was set-up. This working group aims at developing an EU-wide standard on definitions, requirements and qualification processes for ESCOs. The application of these standards shall be voluntary and may serve as a reference for the national certification process.

The first meeting of the PT ESCO was held on 19th February 07, the second one on 26th April 07 in Milan21.

Figure 3: CEN/CLN Organisation Chart

21 Member states are represented in these project teams by their national standardization bodies

(in Germany e.g. by the Deutsches Institut für Normung – DIN)

CEN/CLN Sector Forum Energy Management

CEN-CLC TF 189: Energy Management and Related Services

PT Energy Management Systems

PT Energy Service Companies

BT CEN-ClC

PT Energy Managers and Experts

CEN/CLC TF 190: Energy Efficiency and Saving Calculations

PT Bottom-Up Calculations

PT Top Down Calcuations

Proposed new ITEMS/Technical Bodies

Other CEN and/or CLC Technical Bodies




Status:

Very intense discussions took place on the working paper prepared. Discussions circled around the scope and the approach towards an ESCO standard.

A preliminary agreement was reached that in a first step, a common definition of terms is needed, and in a second step the focus and scope should be shifted from the company towards the services provided instead. Discussions at this stage are limited to the scope and the general definitions.

Due to low country presence at the meetings, a questionnaire was prepared, also with input of EUROCONTRACT partners that will provide the basis for further discussions. As a first step, an agreement on the definitions of ESCOs and their services as well as on their essential requirements in order to prepare a draft standard on ESCOs needs to be agreed among CEN members. Based on this the further discussions will work on the standard /norm will be developed. This manual is intended to provide an input to the discussions.




3 ESCOs or Energy Services?

Outline of possible accreditation and certification

procedures

3.1 Introduction

As was laid out in the beginning, certification an accreditation is an instrument to ensure quality.

Quality securing instruments have the overall aims and targets as shown in the fig-ure below. They serve information and marketing purposes as well as customer sat-isfaction providing evaluation basis for comparison with other services and risk re-duction tool. In combination customer confidence can be ensured.

Two principal approaches can be taken when speaking about certification in the context of energy services.

o Certification of the ESCO

o Certification / Quality standards for the services provided

In the following chapters, both will be looked at and some conclusions drawn, spe-cifically seen in the light of current European discussions.

Marketing Risk minimizing

Information

Qualitiyassurance

instruments

Evaluation criteria

Building confidence

Marketing Risk minimizing

Information

Qualitiyassurance

instruments

Evaluation criteria

Building confidence




3.2 Requirements for ESCO certification

3.2.1 Low implementation cost

Implementation of an ESCO certification scheme should avoid a complex bureau-cratic effort and very high transaction costs. As the market of energy services is still a very young one high implementation costs could constrain the development of such a market. The expected cost would be that comparable to a ISO 9000 or ISO 14000 certification.

3.2.2 Low effort for ESCO

The effort of implementing a certification scheme should not be higher than the benefit out of it.

3.2.3 Qualification measures and quality assurance

In order to be certified ESCOs have to fulfil certain requirements. These require-ments which concern the specific characteristics and properties to be assessed, may be established by Technical Regulations and Norms, drafts of standards, speci-fications, contracts or other normative documents, or anyhow defined in a way agreed by all interested parties. They must correspond to quality objectives effec-tively achievable with reasonable costs and efforts.

3.2.4 Evaluation criteria

The assessment of the conformity to the requirements is the starting stage of the certification process. Evaluations are done by tests, measurements, inspections, verification of the process, verification of the management system etc. to ascertain its compliance with the applicable requirements. The evaluation modes may vary but the assessment must be as complete and deep as possible to generate the nec-essary confidence, taking account of the economical constraints. The elements gathered in the evaluation process shall be suitably documented and reviewed as the basis for the decision of the certification.

3.2.5 Consideration of needs of SME energy service providers

As stated above high transaction costs would impede the development of a com-paratively young energy services market. This would especially apply for small and medium sized enterprises as they are




3.2.6 Surveillance

Conformity to the applicable requirements has to be maintained by all products and services which are given to the market. Such a surveillance system may take vari-ous forms: surveillance of the quality management system, periodical checks etc. In absence of real surveillance forms, the initial assessment can be repeated at regular intervals in a more or less simplified manner.

As no national or European standard on ESCO certification is available yet, first ex-perience and information will be available following the voluntary pilot certification ongoing in Italy at the moment.

3.3 Guidelines of a simple certification scheme for ES-

COs

The directive on energy end-use efficiency and energy services does not stipulate any features the certification systems would need to have.22

In order to be certified companies must undergo different measures which qualify them to be an ESCO. These certification criteria could be the following: the precise nature of the applicant's business; the range of measures and services offered to customers; the availability of a performance-based project approach; ethical busi-ness practice commitment; project engineering and design, financing, project man-agement, operations, and maintenance capabilities; the capability of verifying and monitoring energy cost savings etc.

An EU-wide certification system should therefore cover the following points:

1. Presence of "provision of energy services" among the list of the company’s pur-poses and functions in its constitutive act.

2. Energy management system according ANSI and Danish Standards certification of the company (waiting a similar EN Standard).

3. Design and engineering competences:

� Qualifications, academic degree and C.V. of the engineering director

� Composition of the technical staff: number and qualifications

� Available resources (computers, CAD; measuring instruments

� Eventual third-party services utilised

22 European Parliament and Council of the European Union, p. 71.




4. Productive ability for plant installation:

� Qualifications, academic degree and C.V. of the production director

� Own staff: number and qualifications

� Means of production

� Eventual third-party services

� References for constructed plants

5. Competences for plant (operation and maintenance)

� Qualifications, academic degree and C.V. of the person responsible for opera-tions

� Own staff: number and qualifications

� Means of production

� Eventual third-party services

� References for operation and maintenance plants

6. Gas and electric power availability:

� Actual and potential suppliers

� Current purchase contracts

� Purchasing procedures to complement energy services provided to customers

7. Ability to guarantee results:

� Modalities for contractual guarantees on expected results

� Modalities for contractual guarantees on performance quality

� Sample contracts with P.A

8. Risk coverage:

� Modalities for insurance cover of contractually assumed risks;

� References for financed measures.

9. Financing:

� Financing modalities proposed to customers;

� Supporting credit institutions (guarantees supplied for the financing);

� References for financed interventions




3.4 Quality Standards for Energy Services

Energy Services require careful definintion of expectations, complex planning and verification of results. At the heart of energy service contracts is the performance guarantee. One could also say that guarantees are an evolutionary step for in-creased security. Security means that guarantee settles (and communicates) the distribution of risks between the service provider and the client.

The scope, and risk distribution is stipulated in a contract. Hence the contract can also be seen as a key to quality ensurance: it is legally binding and the means to enforce its proper implementation are laid out within.

Without additional effort a quality /risk securing instrument is available, albeit it needs proper preparation in order to be a valid and meaningful instrument.

3.4.1 Example EPC

In the example of Energy Performance Contracting, the Energy Saving Guarantee contract should stipulate and regulate the following issues:

� Savings and share of the client in the savings of energy costs

� Investments (amount und structure)

� Measurement/verification of the performance

� Energy-Controlling-System

� Maintenance of the energy saving investments

� User motivation (motivation / incentive systems)

� Fulfillment of predetermined comfort standards

� Documentation




Further in detail the following table explains the ideas and risks covered by the En-ergy Saving Guarantee, as one specification:

Idea Risk Distribution Measurement & Verifica-tion

Example

Guarantee of a reduction of energy costs or energy con-sumption

• Contractor assumes the full economic risk to perform the saving guarantee with his in-vestments

• building owner carries risk of energy price changes

• change of utilisation is on building owner side

Comparison of the ac-tual savings in € and the guaranteed savings in €

Contractor guar-antees savings of xy € (or kWh)

3.4.2 Certification of Services?

As the example shows, the key quality assurance is given through a proper defini-tion of risks and responsibilities. The key is that common and agreed definitions of terms are behind these.

With view to certification, in a first step a network of ESCOs agreeing on or accept-ing an EU wide norm on the scope of ESCO services and minimum quality require-ments may be a way forward that keeps in mind the different starting points of the very heterogeneous market for energy services. ESCO networks can also – similar to the developments seen in Germany at the moment help self-regulation top kick out “black sheep” not keeping to the agreed basics.

It is important however, that the minimum requirements keep the overall principles of a sustainable energy future in mind while serving them with market based in-struments.




4 Conclusion, recommendations and outlook

Article 8 of the Directive 2006/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2006 on energy end-use efficiency and energy services states:

“With a view to achieving a high level of technical competence, objectivity and reliability, Member States shall ensure, where they deem it necessary, the availability of appropriate qualification, accreditation and/or certification schemes for providers of energy services, energy audits and energy efficiency improvement measures…”

Consequently the directive itself does not oblige member states to implement a national certification system.

The situation in Europe is such that situation and needs for a certification system differ from country to country. Whereas in Italy the initial position demands ur-gently for a certification scheme for ESCOs due to legal prerequisites, this might be totally different in other European countries. As the process on the European level currently shows, a common and satisfactory solution is not to be found easily. Bearing this in mind following considerations should be taken into account.

From the point of view of clients of energy services an implementation of a certifi-cation of ESCOs is quite desirable. Apart from building confidence clients are given evaluation criteria and thus their risk of a wrong decision is minimized. For ESCOs certification procedures might also be beneficial as a certificate can be used as a marketing instrument for the company.

Notwithstanding these positive impacts there are also some negative aspects to be mentioned: certification procedures can cause high transaction costs if bureaucratic warranties are complex and demanding. This in turn might imply market barriers for especially small and medium sized companies and therefore could impede the development of a market which only has been developing for 10-15 years in Europe and still is a very young one. In addition to this certification procedures are an in-strument of market regulation and therefore influence market development and leave less room for a development from itself.

Furthermore, from a client’s point of view the result of a purchasing process is more important than the process itself or the body offering the service. Speaking in other words the client is interested in receiving a high quality of services. Therefore transparency and clear quality criteria as well as measurement and verification of the latter are prerequisites to help clients in their decision making process. The question is if it would not help clients more to establish quality criteria of services offered by the ESCO instead of giving evaluation patterns for the company itself. A commonly agreed definition of the core competences of an ESCO would be a step into this direction.




Creating a certification scheme is only one means of standardization and securing quality of services. Another model of standardization which has very much proved of value in Germany is model contracts between an ESCO and its client. Whoever is the counterpart, once having closed such a contract the client benefits from its regulations at the same time having instruments of measurement and verification of these elements available.23 Another positive aspect of this form of standardiza-tion is that it leaves enough room for individual agreements and therefore not uni-fies more of which is necessary and desirable as different business models or en-ergy services still need their individual considerations and cannot be lumped to-gether.

It can be concluded that a sound ESCO market should be based on strong and transparent customer requirements and relevant quality securing instruments. Key factors for a successful European and national ESCO development, in line with the objectives with the directive on energy end-use and energy efficiency, is almost en-tirely based on the client’s perception and preparedness to enter into ESCO con-tracts. Works on EU-wide certification procedures should therefore be based on the client’s perspective and focus on the quality and security of the ESCO services pro-vided. However, bearing in mind the different initial positions of the member states of the European Union and the fact that there not even exists a common definition on ESCO and energy services it should be taken into consideration to firstly agree on elements of a standard and after that on the standard itself.

23 To give an example: the ESCO guarantees a reduction of a certain amount of energy costs or energy

consumption. The achievment has to be measured and verified by the ESCO by means of certain calcula-

tions methods which are part of the contract.




Figures

Figure 1: Steps how to become a Thermoprofit-Partner ....................... 16

Figure 2: Development of a Thermoprofit Project: ................................ 19

Figure 3: CEN/CLN Organisation Chart..................................................30

Tables

Table 1: Variable amount for Thermoprofit® membership.................... 18




Literature

Books, as well as publications in journals or anthologies:

Last name, first name: Title. Subtitle. Place/places of publication: publisher year. (i.e. series title, volume name etc.)

Author’s last name/first name: title of publication. In: anthology title. Edited by: initials of editor’s first name editor’s last name place or places of publication: pub-lisher year of publication. first to last pages of the article. (i.e. series title, volume name etc.)

Author’s last name/first name: title of article. Newspaper title. Place of publication. Volume (if applicable). Volume no. and date. page number.

Documents Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN) e.V. Deutsche Norm. DIN 8930-5. Kälteanlagen und Wärmepumpen. Terminologie. Teil 5: Contracting, Berlin, 2003.

European Commission. Directorate General Joint Research Centre Energy Service Companies in Europe, Luxemburg 2005.

European Parliament and Council of the European Union Directive 2006/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2006 on energy end-use efficiency and energy services and repealing Council Directive 93/76/EEC, Official Journal L 114, 27.04.06.

Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau (VDMA) e.V. VDMA-Einheitsblatt. VDMA 24198. Performance Contracting. Begriffe, Prozessbe-schreibung, Leistungen, Frankfurt a.M., Februar 2000.

Organisations American National Standards Institute (ANSI) www.ansi.org

ESCO Forum im ZVEI Association of German contracting companies




www.zvei.org

Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique www.cenelec.org

Danish Standards www.en.ds.dk

Deutscher Akkreditierungsrat (DAR) German accreditation council www.dar.bam.de International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) www.iec.ch

International Organization for Standardization www.iso.org

National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) Association of American ESCOs with a certification scheme for potential members www.naesco.org/ Sistema Nazionale per l’Accreditamento degli Organismi di Certificazione e Ispezione (SINCERT) Italian national System for the accreditation of certification and inspection bodies, www.sincert.it

Trägergemeinschaft für Akkreditierung GmbH German Accreditation body, responsible for accreditation for certifiers for manage-ment systems www.tga-gmbh.de

Verband für Wärmelieferung Association of German energy supply contracting companies www.vfw.de

Internet:

http://www.quality.de/lexikon.htm (30.05.07)




Country Association Definition of the ESCO Connection

Demand-Offer

Internet-Page

EU n/a A natural or legal person that delivers energy ser-vices and/or other energy efficiency improvement measures in a user's facility or premises, and ac-cepts some degree of financial risk in so doing. The payment for the services delivered is based (either wholly or in part) on the achievement of energy efficiency improvements and on the meet-ing of the other agreed performance criteria.

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/demand/legislation/end_use_en.htm

Germany VDMA Einheitsblatt Cotnracting

the collective performance (planning, execution, optimization of the operation of technical building plants) aiming at the guaranteed amelioration of the results (especially profitability, substantial value of the building, conditioning of the building) on the basis of an equally created collaboration and form of contract. Refinance of investments is carried out by the guaranteed cost savings in the duration time of the contract

www.vdma.de

Canada CAESCO (organisa-tion that does not exist yet)

- designs and installs measures to reduce the operation costs

- must have a contract with the client, includ-ing a validity of four till ten years

- must have the capacity to finance the costs of the project

- takes the technical risk - must provide measurement and verification

There is a register of the members which informs clients about the ESCOs in the market.

http://www.newenergy.org/caesco.html

(own page doesn’t ex-ist)




(control) of the implanted measures - provides training courses for the staff -

USA NAESCO - develops, installs and provides the financ-

ing of projects - improves the energy efficiency and reduces

the maintenance costs - realizes these benefits within seven till ten

years - is the developer of the project - takes over various tasks - takes over the technical risk

They have a register of ac-credited companies, which they publish on a website. On this website, successful projects of its accredited members are published.

www.naesco.org

India BEE A definition has not been developed yet. The ICPEEB was established in 2005 and has been working on it.

- employs accredited energy auditors - must do the monitoring and the verification

of the energy savings

The BEE does not realize this. The ICPEEB was cre-ated for that task. The members of the ICBEE can be clients or ESCOs. The members are contacted during workshops and at conferences.

http://www.bee-india.nic.in/

Brasil ABESCO - includes water and energy - provides several optional services relating

to energy - takes over the technical risk - one optional service is providing financing

The ESCOs register in an online list through official channels online.

http://www.abesco.com.br

Peru Ministerio de Energía y Mina (Energy and Mining Department)

- provides several optional services relating to energy

- takes over the technical risk - one optional service is providing financing - the one time monetary savings do not

count in exchange for the tariffs or the pro-priety check

The international consultant office made a list last year based on the list originating from an initiative pro-gramme of the ESCOs, which has not been pub-

http://www.minem.gob.pe




lished yet.

Mexico CONAE - It has still not been defined by the market. - CONAE proposes a definition which focuses

much on the financial provision of the pro-ject

- takes over the technical risk

The ESCOs register in an online list through official channels online.

http://www.conae.gob.mx

USA FEMP - Same definition like NAESCO - develops, installs, and finances the projects

of the EE - takes over the technical risk - includes the savings of maintenance costs

There is a list of registered ESCOs, which includes 5 accredited ESCOs in each of the six administrative re-gions (in total: 30 ESCOs).

Being on the list, the ESCOs get the right to implement projects in the American institutional sector

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

Canada FBI - provides several services, everything in-

cluded (turnkey) through one single pro-vider

- has to include the financing

The ESCOs have to qualify themselves to get into the “Qualified Bidders List”. There are 9 companies on the list right now. Being on the list, the ESCOs get the right to implement projects in the Canadian institutional sector.

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/communities-govern-ment/buildings/federal/federal-buildings-initiative.cfm?attr=28

USA California Energy Commission

- manages and coordinates all phases of a project of energy efficiency

- provides several types of services

They carried out drawings of the ESCOs, one in 2000, the other one in 2004. The results of this drawing are published online.

http://www.energy.ca.gov/




USA ERTD, Hawaii - A definition of the ESCOs does not exist. - They mention that the ESCOs imple-

ment/work with performance contracts

There is none. http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/

(no own page)