Quality certification frameworks for energy efficiency services to scale up responsible investment in the building sector (QualitEE)

Description

The overall objectives of the QualitEE project were to scale up responsible investment in energy
efficiency services in the building sector, increase the trust of clients and financial institutions in energy
service providers, thereby reducing the complexity of energy efficiency services as well as taking major
steps towards standardisation. In order to achieve these main objectives national certification
frameworks for energy efficiency services were implemented.

The project was a follow-up activity of the IEE project Transparense. Transparense was the first important step towards the definition of common values for energy performance contracting, which aimed to increase the trust of investors and financial institutions in energy efficiency providers and their services. The Code of Conduct, developed by Transparense, lacked clear standardization elements and assessment criteria, which was addressed by QualitEE.

Results

The project QualitEE aimed to deliver the following outcomes:

• Common understanding of ‘good quality’ for energy efficiency services
• Better informed investors
• Increased trust in energy efficiency services and providers
• Increased standardisation of the quality aspects of energy efficiency services
• Increased availability of viable finance
• Increased investment in energy efficiency services

In order to achieve them, the project:

• Engaged key stakeholders via national discussion platforms, training seminars and extensive market research surveys
• Tested quality criteria and assessment processes in pilot projects
• Delivered focussed training seminars to increase knowledge and skills
• Published guidelines on minimum financial information, in order to expedite investment decisions
• Published a procurement handbook to ensure uptake of quality criteria in projects from the outset