The value of energy audits for SMEs: An Australian example

Abstract

Energy audits can provide businesses with valuable information and advice about their current energy use and costs and where changes can be made to improve both the environmental performance of the business and their triple bottom line. There is literature on the use of energy audits outside Australia, but little provision of empirical data that would help a business decide whether engagement is economically viable. This paper reports on 49 SME energy audits in Australia, and the results verify that economic returns can vary significantly and alone are not a reason for most SMEs to act. Thus, more will need to be done to engage them as their collective impact on the environment should be a catalyst for action and support from stakeholders.

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

2016

Location of the Work

Netherlands

Publication Title

Energy Efficiency

Publisher

Springer

School

School of Business and Law

RAS ID

20984

Comments

Redmond, J., & Walker, B. (2016). The value of energy audits for SMEs: An Australian example. Energy Efficiency, 9(5), 1053-1063. Available here

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1007/s12053-015-9409-4