Energy Performance Contracting in Swedish scenario: a case study with Morastrand AB

Abstract: Renovation of the existing buildings in Sweden represents a great potential to achieve the energy efficiency and carbon emission targets set by the European Union and the Swedish government. The Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) is regarded as an efficient way to manage and to outsource the risks of energy efficiency (EE) measures. The thesis aims to identify the theoretical framework of EPC in the Swedish scenario and, through a real case, develop a model that relates EE measures and its results considering the capital investment versus running costs of renovation projects. The work is based on the incorporation with the Morastrand AB. The research expects to assess EPC processes and measures as in Energy Service Companies (ESCO) and consequently help in the decision making and the management of the projects. The thesis is composed of two parts. The first part identifies the theoretical framework of energy contract models focusing on the EPC, while a case study with Morastrand AB is subsequently presented. It is suggested one approach for the preliminary comparison of different renovation measures in EE projects, corresponding to the first step of the planning phase of an EPC. General recommendations and sensitive factors were identified and can assist Morastrand AB to effectively implement EE projects in the future. For orienting investments, the Lifecycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) is a method to study solutions under economic aspects and further it can be extended to the complete Lifecycle Assessment of the upcoming projects. The theoretical framework of the EPC is composed by identifying the projects, performing the technical analysis, determinizing the potential in energy savings, deepening the analysis with auditions, tendering the project, designing and executing the project, commissioning, operating and supporting the systems with constant monitoring and maintenance. The biggest challenge for the EPC in Sweden is the relation between the ESCOs and their clients. The figure of the facilitator could improve the results and balance the knowledge gap between the parts. The actors of these projects are the ESCO, the client, the facilitator and the financing part. In Sweden, very frequently the client finances the operation. There are a few models of contracting, and the most popular are guaranteed savings and shared savings. The thesis performed the LCCA of three options for window replacement in a building at the end of its lifespan. The results show that the trends in prices and interest rates are sensitive factors. In this case, the projects with higher initial investments were more profitable. Those solutions can shield the company against energy prices escalates and contribute to the green policies.