Conference: GEAR@SME final conference Towards more energy savings in European SMEs – Focus on collective actions
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GEAR@SME takes a local, collective approach based on multiple benefits, tailored to the specific locality.
GEAR@SME will test and validate its methodology in four countries: Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Romania, reaching out to a minimum of 300 SMEs per location.
GEAR@SME will reach another 80 locations through the communication and exploitation activities within project lifetime.
GEAR@SME will reach another 600 locations through dissemination events and the online portal beyond project lifetime.
SMEs are enterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and have an annual turnover not exceeding 50 million euro, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding 43 million euro.
On their own, SMEs do not consume huge amounts of energy, however, collectively they consume more than 13 % of energy. There are globally-significant opportunities to implement energy efficiency measures with potential for savings of up to 30%. At the same time, the adoption rate of energy efficiency measures in SMEs is low. Fewer than 30% of SMEs in Europe have implemented any measures for conserving energy, and only 4% have a comprehensive approach to energy efficiency.
A Trusted partner is an entity that establishes relationships between the relevant parties on both the demand side (SMEs) and the supply side and who attaches mutual respect, accountability, and success to this relationship.