There is an opportunity to influence the direction of the Governments proposed Small Business Energy Efficiency Scheme. The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is seeking the opinions of SMEs on their possible auction models and are now seeking to test these models with via 90 minute long focus groups with a small number of participants over the coming weeks.
The first focus group is scheduled on 23rd October 2020. If you would like to participate please contact Laura Williams, who is leading the project, directly on laura.williams@eunomia.co.uk and she would be happy to discuss it further.
Information provided by the organisation conducting the research on behalf of BEIS is as follows:
Purpose of the Study: The research is exploring options for Designing an Auction to Install Energy Efficiency Measures in Small and Medium Sized (SMEs) Businesses as a method for incentivising SMEs to invest in energy efficiency. The project will assess the different options for designing and running an energy efficiency auction and the likely impact of those options on the auction’s success.
SMEs collectively have an important role to play in contributing to the UK achieving its Net Zero target. Taking part in this research presents an opportunity to gain insight into government thinking on energy efficiency in SMEs, as well as an opportunity to influence that thinking.
Your Participation: So far in our research, we have reviewed the literature on energy auction theory and existing auction schemes, both in the UK and internationally, and have conducted interviews with experts on designing effective energy auctions. Based on this, we have developed four distinct auction design options, which demonstrate variation in the various design features.
Now, we are seeking to test the different auction designs with prospective bidders (SMEs, energy service companies and aggregators) through a series of focus groups and interviews, looking at such features as pre-qualification processes, bidding mechanisms, available funding, timescales, and frequency.
We will also explore issues including interest in implementing energy-efficiency measures, interest in and understanding of the concept of an energy-efficiency auction, motivation to be involved, and opinions on key design features. This will allow us to understand the different requirements and barriers to entry that prospective bidders experience, in terms of engaging with an energy-efficiency auction.
