Energy Angels

The EnergyWater project aims to provide support to manufacturing industries by enabling energy efficient water processing, through the development of the Energy Management Self-Assessment (EMSA) web-tool and the creation of an Energy Angels Network. We want to make energy efficiency something real for European companies. Funded by the European Commission (EASME), the EnergyWater project runs till 31/01/2019, with possibilities for end-of-project extensions.

Energy Management Self-Assessment (EMSA) web-tool is a free and anonymous ICT tool to compare and benchmark the energy performance in industrial water process in European manufacturing industries. As a result of the self‐assessment, the tool provide the following information:

• Initial energy efficiency assessment.
• Benchmarking and ranking position with industrial companies by sector, size, country, etc.
• List of improvement actions.
• List of related Energy Angels with required knowledge.

The network is composed of professionals working in the field of energy efficiency. The Energy Angels network improves the visibility of skilled energy auditors and energy managers as well as suppliers and funders for companies. It brings together expertise to facilitate the uptake of energy efficiency within industrial water processes. Energy Angels can advise companies on a range of topics from the use of the EMSA web-tool to the implementation of innovative energy efficiency solutions in manufacturing water processes. An online database which documents all the Energy Angels is available via the EMSA web-tool web page. Companies will have free access to this database, and can search for an Energy Angel according to a number of sub-criteria.

Energy Angels are professionals with expertise and know-how in fields related to energy efficiency and industrial water processes. This includes: consultants (freelancers or companies), energy services providers and ESCOs, professionals working in the manufacturing sector, technology providers, and professional associations.

The Energy Angel Network will provide its members with improved visibility, access to training material, and increased business opportunities. Energy Angels are required to sign-up to the Energy Angel Network database, an online European wide database that is freely available to industry, to access these benefits as well as the EMSA web-tool. This user-friendly database helps companies choose Energy Angels that are able to support them with the use of the EMSA web-tool, the analyses of its results, the selection of best solutions, and implementation of solutions.

When registering in the database, an Energy Angel selects the services he/she can provide to companies. This will help companies select the most appropriate Energy Angels according to their priorities Energy Angels are professionals with expertise and know-how in fields related to energy efficiency and industrial water processes. This includes: consultants (freelancers or companies), energy services providers and ESCOs, professionals working in the manufacturing sector, technology providers, and professional associations.

The Energy Angel Network will provide its members with improved visibility, access to training material, and increased business opportunities. Energy Angels are required to sign-up to the Energy Angel Network database, an online European wide database that is freely available to industry, to access these benefits as well as the EMSA web-tool. This user-friendly database helps companies choose Energy Angels that are able to support them with the use of the EMSA web-tool, the analyses of its results, the selection of best solutions, and implementation of solutions.

There are four core services:

• Service 1: EMSA web-tool support
• Service 2: Energy Audits and consultancy
• Service 3: Implementation and innovation support
• Service 4: Provider of financial advices

To provide service 1, Energy Angels must follow a training session or a MOOC provided by the consortium. For each of the other services, this choice is reviewed by a partner of the EnergyWater project on the basis of the demonstrated experience of the Angel.

The Energy Angel network is a dynamic network that provides opportunities to its members for career development. The list of services is not static and the Angel will be able to choose new services on the basis of . The partners of the project will help this process by giving advice on relevant external training sessions or certifications.

The EMSA Tool, an online and free anonymous tool, helps companies to identify their energy use across industrial water processes and benchmark their performance at the European level. Companies may require support from a professional to input data into the tool. Off the back of the results they could also seek professional advice to deep dive into potential solutions and subsequently, implementation support. For Energy Angels the tool provides an excellent avenue to start conversations with interested companies. At each step of the process, companies are free to contact an Energy Angel. An example case is described below.

Step 1: Use of the EMSA web-tool by the company

Energy Angels providing service 1 help companies to input data into the tool, check the quality of data before submission of data and can provide a first analysis of the different solutions given by the tool.  This process may last from 1 day to 1 week. This first contact allows the Energy Angel providing service 1 to build a working relationship with the company.

Step 2: Optional complementary audit to reinforce the analysis from the EMSA web-tool.

Step 3 and step 4: Following the results from the EMSA web-tool, Energy Angels can identify solutions, develop an implementation plan and implement solutions

If required, companies can use the database to choose an Energy Angel able to help them for this step. However, most of the time a company will choose a Energy Angel providing service 1 that can also provide any specific services they are interested in.

Step 5:  Following the implementation of solutions, Energy Angels should encourage companies to re-enter their data into the EMSA Web Tool to assess and benchmark the improvement in their performance

Energy Angels are registered on the Energy Angel Network database, an online European wide database that is freely available to industry on the EMSA web-tool. The profile of an Energy Angel on this database is crucial as it will, in most of the cases, be the first contact between the EA and a company. The information that companies are able to see on the profile of an EA before requesting his help are:

• Type of Energy Angel
• Role of the Energy Angel
• Spoken language
• Country
• City
• Professional membership
• Qualification/Status
• Number of assessments done
• Evaluation per assessment

Companies will contact an Energy Angel based on the information provided.

To become Energy Angels, applicants must sign up to the Energy Angel database at the following address: http://energywater-emsa.eu/index.php/angelsignup  Energy Angels will be asked to provide basic information and to select the services that they wish to provide to companies. Energy Angels can decide to make their contact details public or not.

A project partner of the EnergyWater consortium will review the application and the services that the Energy Angel wishes to provide. Where additional information is required one of the partners will reach out to the Energy Angel to discuss the application. The project partners reserve the right to deny non-suitable applications. In such cases the decision will be explained and where applicable the applicant will be provided with a set of improvement actions that will need to be met in order to access the network.

Professionals who are willing to become Energy Angels able to provide service 1 “EMSA web-tool support” have to follow a training session. On-site training sessions are being held from October thrrough to December 2017 in Europe. If the Energy Angel cannot attend one of the on-site training sessions, he/she will have the opportunity to sign up to on-line training sessions or MOOCS.

Training sessions are being held in 5 countries (UK, Spain, Belgium, Poland, and France) from October 2017 through to December 2017.  The training sessions are free of charge. The on-site training session will last from 1 to 2 days according to the country in which it is held.

The training sessions will upskill energy auditors in technical and non-technical solutions to reduce energy use in industrial water processes and the mechanics of the EMSA Tool. These training session will act as a valuable opportunity to create links between Energy Angels and partners of the EnergyWater project and exchange information and ideas. In most of the cases, training sessions are divided into three phases:

• A presentation of the Energy Angel network, the EMSA web-tool and the energy assessment methodology
• An overview on energy management, audits, and improvement assessments
• A case study for the Energy Angel to use the EMSA web-tool and practice on the different steps of the methodology

In addition to the improved business and upskilling opportunities on offer to all Energy Angels there are clear benefits to be an early joiner. As the visibility of an Energy Angel’s profile is based on the Angel’s previous experience and company ratings, being involved as an Energy Angel early in the project will result in a more noticeable profile and improved long term business opportunities. You will benefit from the support of the EnergyWater project partners. The training sessions to become an Energy Angel providing service 1 are free during the project period.

Energy responsible can become Energy Angels, giving them access to the EMSA web tool, sectorial information, and upskilling opportunities. This will position you to better service your company in energy efficiency across industrial water processes. When joining the network you will be able to choose whether or not to make your contact information public in the database. If you want to provide the service 1 “EMSA web-tool support” to your company, we strongly suggest that you attend a dedicated training session so that you are able to provide an optimal service to your company. Being considered as an Energy Angel is a way to gain visibility in your company and have a direct access to energy experts that are able to help you on specific topics.

The Energy Angel network is a dynamic network that will provide opportunities to its members for career development. The list of seven services you choose to provide to companies is not static and you will be able to choose new services on the basis of new professional experience, certifications or professional training. The project partners will help this process by giving advice on relevant training sessions or certifications. So if you are looking to increase your professional development, we can help you to develop expertise and give you the opportunity to be involved in the network.