Roelich, KE, Steinberger, JK and Knoeri, C (2013) Efficient and service oriented infrastructure operation: the role of the Energy Efficiency Directive in driving change towards Multi Utility Service Companies. In: eceee Summer Study proceedings. European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy Summer Study, 03-08 Jun 2013, Belambra Les Criques, Presqu’île de Giens, Toulon/Hyères, France. ECEEE , 185 - 195. ISBN 978-91-980482-2-3
Abstract
Infrastructure operation can be described as separate utility systems provisioning unconstrained demand, with higher throughput corresponding to higher profits. In contrast, an efficiency perspective would prioritize coordinated infrastructure operation focused on essential service delivery at the lowest possible resource use. We investigate how to accelerate the adoption of alternative infrastructure operation configurations which are: centred on the end-user and their demand for services; concerned with resource efficiency improvements; and consider multiple infrastructure streams. We call these alternative modes of operation Multi-Utility Service Companies (MUSCos). Market and system failures, that arise in privatised utility systems, present barriers to the adoption of MUSCos. This paper categorises these barriers and investigates the extent to which the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) overcomes them. The EED is analysed because energy is required to deliver the majority of household infrastructure services and as a result energy policy will have influence over the related infrastructure systems. Our research finds that the EED could increase adoption of service-oriented contracts in the public sector, potentially resulting in spillover to the domestic and commercial sector. However, without changes to accounting practices, financial instruments and standardisation of contracts, investment risks and transaction costs would remain high and it is unlikely that this spillover would occur. In addition, the continued fragmentation of policy and cross-sector information asymmetries augments existing barriers to more integrated infrastructure operation. We describe additional measures that might overcome these weaknesses; including measures to reduce contractual barriers and risks in the domestic sector, provide more appropriate financing and accounting arrangements and more explicitly address the interconnectivity of infrastructure systems in future policy.
Metadata
Item Type: | Proceedings Paper |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2013, European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. Reproduced with permission from the publisher. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Civil Engineering (Leeds) > Institute for Resilient Infrastructure (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 05 Jul 2013 08:33 |
Last Modified: | 19 Dec 2022 13:25 |
Published Version: | http://www.eceee.org/summerstudy |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | ECEEE |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:75861 |