Our energy efficiency project, which we have tested over the years and which has been proven to function well, consists of three stages:

Preparation / auditing
Realisation / implementation of measures
Follow-up inspection / evaluation of results

The preparatory stage is also called auditing although auditing, in its classic meaning, is not the most accurate term for describing the model we implement. The purpose of the first stage is to determine the current situation in regards to energy or, more broadly, resource consumption. In addition to the activities specified in the scheme, this also includes many different aspects for each individual company from spot metering and surveys to year-long monitoring.

After the first meeting and a general discussion, we can make a specific cooperation proposal to the client for carrying out the entire process or the first stage. Depending on the client’s wishes and possibilities, we can always offer the optimal solution for the schedule, cooperation model, and financing model across all stages.

Taking a financial risk to achieve the success of our chosen energy efficiency measures is usual for us. This is known as Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) in the world and it is often used together with the term ESCO (Energy Service Company). EPC is an energy service contract between the contracting entity and the client (who is usually an ESCO), in which the partner’s investments in energy efficiency measures are paid by the contracting entity on the basis of actual achieved energy savings.

ESCO is defined as an energy service company, which finds the source of funding for the energy project or helps the client in doing so. ESCO earns a profit on the savings from the implementation of energy efficiency measures and provides security for the creation of savings. If the expected energy savings are not achieved in the planned volume, the ESCO will bear the losses.

Energy performance contracting has several formats, but it is important to fix:

what will be done
who will finance it
how the remuneration will take place
what will happen if the planned result is not achieved

The two most common implementation models of energy performance contracting are guaranteed savings and shared savings. In the first case, the contracting entity will finance and make the investments and the energy service company proposes the conservation measures and ensures the energy savings at the agreed level. With shared savings, the energy service company will offer a complete solution from analysing the conservation measures to financing and making the investment.

Regardless of the contracting format, the second stage includes a more detailed planning of measures, planning the activities, and implementing the planned measures. As it is a renovation process, it is crucial not to interfere with the normal use of the building. This requires very precise planning and compiling an organisational plan for the activities. Once the planned activities have been carried out, the monitoring and adjusting stage will begin, which we call the third stage of our complete concept. This stage usually lasts for about 12–24 months to allow us to deploy the planned and realised solutions as efficiently as possible. The value and importance of this stage must not be underestimated, even though investments are no longer being made during that time. During the third stage, we will create value from the investments.

Usually, the potential of improving energy efficiency in non-residential buildings has not been realised in the utility systems. Insulating barriers and work on the exterior facade require major investments for increasing energy efficiency. The savings achieved as a result of these measures is not comparable to the optimal configuration of systems that ensure indoor climate and adding or arranging automation. It is quite common that the most cost-efficient activities that require smaller investments have already been carried out by the company itself (this includes, for example, training staff and raising general awareness).