Energy Management Action Network (EMAK)

Introduction

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has identified energy efficiency as crucial for achieving a sustainable energy future. One of the key areas for improvement is enhancing energy management (EM) practices in industry. Despite existing organizations such as the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) playing significant roles in promoting EM, several gaps remain in current EM support and practice.

Key Issues Identified

1. Insufficient Practice of Cost-Effective EM: There is a need to promote more cost-effective EM practices.
2. Need for Improved Quality of EM Practice: Continuous support is needed to enhance the quality of EM practices.
3. Lack of Support in Certain Regions: Many parts of the world lack existing support structures for EM.
4. Weak Connections Between EM Practitioners and Policymakers: There is a need to strengthen the connection between EM professionals and policymakers.

Proposed Solution: Energy Management Action Network (EMAK)

To address these gaps, the IEA proposes creating an EM Action Network (EMAK). EMAK aims to:

1. Increase Knowledge and Skills: Enhance the knowledge, skills, and quality of practice of energy managers globally.
2. Promote EM Policies: Extend the range, depth, and breadth of EM policies worldwide.
3. Build Capacity in Challenged Regions: Focus on building capacity in regions facing challenges.

Structure and Activities of EMAK

Objectives

1. Measurable Benefits: Increase the effectiveness of energy managers through stronger network relationships and alignment with EM systems.
2. Global Coverage: Ensure global coverage while focusing on regions with specific challenges.
3. Network of Networks: Build upon existing strengths and developments internationally.
4. Phased Approach: Implement EMAK in three phases: setup (18 months), implementation (24 months), and transition to financial sustainability (18 months).

Activities

1. Auditing Current Levels: Assess the current levels of knowledge, skills, and quality of energy managers globally.
2. Develop Mechanisms: Create mechanisms to enhance these elements over a five-year period, including certification programs, mentoring regimes, policy development approaches, business alliances, stakeholder roundtables, and cross-sectoral network events.
3. Evaluation Systems: Establish evaluation systems to ensure the delivery of these elements.
4. Sustainable Pathways: Develop sustainable pathways for increased delivery over a longer time frame by building on existing and new partnerships.
5. Identify Variations: Determine the current variations in support for energy managers among different regions.
6. Assess Gaps and Barriers: Identify possible gaps and barriers to the development and implementation of energy policies.

Operational Approach

1. Focus on Benefits: Focus on achieving measurable benefits for energy managers, especially in their interactions with energy policy makers.
2. Strengthen Existing Organisations: Strengthen existing and nascent EM organizations and processes.
3. Partner with Existing Organisations: Partner with organizations that service or provide services to many regions of the world.
4. Formal Programme Development: Adopt a more formal approach to program development and delivery that integrates events with ongoing collaborative learning.

Membership and Implementation

1. Membership Categories: Include both individual and corporate membership categories with fees implemented post-setup phase.
2. Budget: Allocate a budget of EUR 308,000 for the 18-month setup phase, with two installments: EUR 98,000 for the first six months and EUR 210,000 for the remainder.
3. Secretariat: Create a secretariat to oversee the setup phase.
4. Advisory Committee: Advertise for Expressions of Interest to join the Advisory Committee.
5. Work Plan: Develop a draft work plan based on the discussed tasks and activities for the setup period.

Conclusion

EMAK can significantly enhance global energy management practices by addressing current gaps and building capacity in challenging regions. The proposed structure and activities aim to measurably increase the knowledge, skills, and quality of energy managers while promoting broader EM policies.