Facilitating application of the energy service concept: development of an analytical framework

It is widely acknowledged that the servitisation of energy retail has the potential to bring end-users greater value at a reduced cost and environmental impact. However, there persists a limited awareness of what market activities the energy service concept can translate into, and little understanding of the contexts where it is most appropriate. In this paper an analytical framework is developed to help clarify the energy service concept, and assess where its application is most appropriate. The framework is intended to facilitate a more strategic approach to energy servitization, and act as a decision tool for future policy and investment. It is developed through a content analysis of the energy service field's most cited papers, and stress-tested through application in a case study of the UK's private residential sector. Application of the framework revealed that the current focus of residential energy services on material intensive retrofits is misguided. Decentralised, material-centric activities were found to be less suited to an energy service approach than centralised data-centric activities. This application of the framework suggests that for the energy service concept to succeed in the residential sector, energy service models should pay more attention to demand side flexibility opportunities.