Fedoruk M. Ecological and economic efficiency of investing in energy saving in residential and public buildings

Thesis is devoted to development of theoretical and methodological principles regarding the assessment of ecological and economic efficiency of investment in energy saving measures (ESM) in buildings. Theoretical and methodical approaches to ecological and economic efficiency evaluation were analysed. In this context life cycle assessment (LCA) and cost benefit analyses (CBA) are promising instruments for the modelling and calculation of the respective effects. The comparison study of implementation of energy saving projects in buildings in 22 European countries was conducted. This involved the collection of quantitative and qualitative data from 55 experts. Based on the study results proposals to facilitate ESM implementation were presented. Study on energy-saving policy implementation in Ukraine was conducted using SWOT-analysis. Using A’WOT approach, four TOWS-strategies (Conservative, Aggressive, Competitive, Defensive) were evaluated. Сost benefit analysis of an investment project on installation of individual heating system instead of central heating for Lviv multifamily building case study was conducted. Considering unstable economic and political situation, results of efficiency assessment in monetary terms can be extremely unreliable and demotivate the investor. In addition, there is no single method for assessing total economic value of all environmental impacts. Therefore, monetization of socio-ecological impacts indicators is subjective and time-consuming. For an integrated analysis of ESM efficiency in non-monetary terms, system of indicators was developed. Among the others we propose: indicator of ecological effect, ecological efficiency of ESM and integrated efficiency of ESM. The proposed system of indicators allows to assess the socio-ecological and economic efficiency of the energy saving project, excluding the problem of environmental and social impacts valuation. This system of indicators can be used to assess the effectiveness of ESM implementation by cost effectiveness analysis or for multicriteria assessment. Theoretical approach to integrated assessment of the ecological and economic efficiency of investment in ESM in buildings has been developed. It allows evaluation of ESM efficiency from a financial, environmental and social perspective using the life cycle assessments. Developed method is applied for a case study: multi-criteria analysis of investment scenarios in energy efficiency in building for German company Envidatec. Study results outlines feasibility of the proposed theoretical and methodical approach to the integrated assessment of investment efficiency in energy saving in buildings based on socio-ecological and economic impacts of ESM evaluation at all stages of their life cycle. In order to understand the potential impact of proposals to facilitate ESM implementation, the simulation model of mechanism for investment in energy saving was built. The research design is based on the system dynamics modelling process. Our approach combines qualitative and quantitative system dynamics, depicting the interplay of key change processes suggested to underpin a transition to ecological and economic efficiency. Results of simulation confirmed feasibility of the proposed recommendations in order to increase ecological and economic efficiency of investment in ESM in buildings.