Virtual Power Plant
Programme Call Documentation
1. History
International researches prove, that the first steps of improving company level energy efficiency lie in developing organization level energy consciousness habits, the rationalisation of energy usage. The measurement and control of all key consumption metrics can lead to a 10% decrease in the total energy consumption of a company. Energy awareness is inexpensive and requires little investment in money but a big investment in terms of change in attitude and corporate practice. If the company becomes energy conscious, the next step is to explore its potential energy efficiency investments.
General practice shows that another 10% can be saved by enacting through fast-return, investments. Investments resulting in higher energy savings tend to return more slowly but these are still more favourable at a national scale than the development of the energy sector. The Virtual Power Program have encouraged the Government and all stakeholders to provide support and subsidised calls to increase the return on these types of investments.
The Virtual Power Plant Programme and Excellence in Energy Efficiency Application started on March 7th 2011 with a symbolic foundation stone ceremony. Its objective was to „build up” a Virtual Power Plant from certified energy savings by the end of 2020, in line with Hungarian EU commitments. The Virtual Power Plant’s capacity was planned to set off a large fossil power plant capacity (i.e. 200 MW), this goal was already exceeded in 2018.
2. Programme goals
The Excellence in Energy Efficiency Application is designed to follow the evolutionary path of company energy efficiency improvements. Participants interested in the programme can join at different levels of excellence.
The first level is “Do it yourself” where anyone can test its current energy efficiency without the need of registration or paying any fee for it. With the help of the self- assessment test, partakers can identify their on energy efficiency sitation and build up their own strategy. The test contains five major topics that include 41 questions to be answered on a scale of 1 to 4. In the test, areas are focused such as incorporating energy efficiency into the organization’s management system, evidence-based decision-making in energy management, goals and action plans, providing adequate resources, and quantifying and demonstrating the results of energy efficiency actions.
The second level is „Define your goals” also known as the level of Energy Conscious applicants. At this level, there is no need for past energy efficiency successes, anyone can join who regards energy efficiency as an important priority. To use the Energy Conscious Company Trademark, it is not necessary to do anything other than assessing the current energy efficiency situation, and based on the results, make relevant, but realistically feasible, voluntary commitments to reduce energy consumption and / or increase energy efficiency. After the first administrative steps, Accredited Auditors help applicants with the application procedure, i.e. self-assessment and making and publishing their commitments.
The third level is „Show your results” this is the level of Energy Efficient Companies. This level is no longer a only a title but alaso and award, which go hand in hand with entry barriers. One of the most important goals of the Virtual Power Programme is to collect and transfer knowledge and skills of local stakeholders and international good practices in the field of energy efficiency and make it accessible to those interested. Accordingly, if an organization applies for the Energy Efficient Company title, it will be supported by a certified technical survey team (Accredited Auditor) to draft a 1-3-page success story and a 1-3 page documentation (both in standard structures) on a successful energy efficiency project that has already been implemented. In addition to that, the calculation methodology, which is certified by an Advisory Board, provides the result on how much fossil „power plant equivalent” is realized from the project, from the energy saving. This number defines how many kWe-s are “deposited” from the organization to the Virtual Power Plant and how much it contributes to building its capacities. The Professional Jury Committee decides on who to award based on their applications and underlying documentation. It is important to mention that the application levels of the Excellence in Energy Efficiency Application do not set an absolute standard. Each applicant must have relevant savings, and should be able to show success in gaining recognition.
The fourth level is „Help others develop themselves”, known as Energy Efficiency Mentor Companies. Examplary corporations not only commit to success in the Virtual Power Plant and share good practices with others, but also actively promote the Programme and its opportunities both among their business partners and the interested local companies, also supporting potential applicant organizations in achieving their energy efficiency successes.
In 2013, the Application was extended to institutions and municipalities besides the industrial segment, also to renewable energy investments and to awarding individual experts who are prominent in the energy efficiency field in the following categories: for instance Energy Advisor of the Year, Renewable Energy Developer of the Year, Energy Manager of the Year, Young Energy Expert of the Year.
The quality assurance of the Programme and the Application is the responsibility of the Accredited Auditor, who performs random checks every year on the winners.
If you would like to receive more information, please contact us on info@mi6.hu and follow the developments of the Programme: www.mi6.hu/english
3. Eligible applicants
4. Management Organization
4.1 Programme Patrons
Dr. Katalin Szili, former President of the Hungarian Parliament
4.2 ADVISORY BOARD
The Managing Committee of the programme was set up on 20 September 2011. Under the terms of the Rules of Procedures adopted on 10 July 2012, it continued its support as an Advisory Board, and it operates in the following composition:
Academic and scientific partners
Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem
BME Gépészmérnöki Kar, Energetikai Gépek és Rendszerek Tanszék
BME Épületenergetikai és Épületgépészeti Tanszék
Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem Környezettudományi Intézet
Miskolci Egyetem
Modern Üzleti Tudományok Főiskolája, Tatabánya
Policy Partners
Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium
Nemzeti Fejlesztési Minisztérium
Nemzeti Külgazdasági Hivatal
Seed Kisvállalkozás-fejlesztési Alapítvány
Bay Zoltán Közalapítvány
Klímabarát Települések Szövetsége
Professional and social partners
Energiagazdálkodási Tudományos Egyesület
Magyar Mérnöki Kamara
Vállalkozók és Munkavállalók Országos Szövetsége
Amerikai Kereskedelmi Kamara
Magyar Energetikai Társaság
Környezetvédelemi Szolgáltatók és Gyártók Szövetsége
Association of Energy Engineers Magyar Tagozata
Német-Magyar Ipari és Kereskedelmi Kamara
4.3 Managing Organisation
The programme is operated by the Hungarian Innovation and Efficiency (MI6) Nonprofit Ltd. – Virtual Power Plant Programme (hereinafter: VPPP)
5. Principles of the programme
5.1 VALIDITY OF RECOGNITION
The year indicated in the „Energy-efficient company 2018” title and the „Energy-efficient company 2018” Award and the in the title of the special awards for each category, represents the year of the decision, which means that applicants are entitled to use the awards for the a year. Titles and awards are issued each year.
5.2 RECOGNITION SYSTEM
5.2.1 The „Energy Conscious Company”
The Energy Conscious Company Title can be given to any applicants, who:
registered at the application portal,
completed the self-assessment questionnaire,
have indicated that they are open to development and are willing to make a voluntary commitment for the future,
their commitment was agreed (optionally with the expert authorized by the VPPP) and recorded in a jointly signed document,
their commitments are published for the broad public on their website,
re-complete the self-assessment after 1 year has passed and compare the progress to the baseline (optionally with the help of an expert authorized by the VPPP) and share their experiences in the form of „Success Stories” in the Knowledge Base of the Program.
5.2.2. The „Energy Efficient Company”
The Energy Efficient Company is an Energy Conscious Company which has already made energy efficiency investments. A verifiable result is the detailed presentation of the assessment results in the self-assessment (in the form of a success report that the interested companies can read) and account for the energy savings achieved through the company’s energy consumption reduction practices and energy efficiency investments or development. The number of annual awards takes into account the contribution of the companies to the savings of VPPP, and will be determined by the Advisory Board on the basis of the VPPP proposal. The awards issued do not include any order among the winners. For the Awards, the Professional Jury Committee appointed by the Advisory Board decides following evaluation of the applications received.
5.2.3 „Mentor Company”
“Mentor Companies” are companies which undertake within the Programme to assist in the dissemination and promotion of the Programme with their personal example, their role and their position. For example mentor companies motivate their partners to reach “Energy Conscious Company” title or Energy Efficient Company Awards in the programme. Mentor companies play an important role in sharing knowledge, i.e. exploring and disseminating knowledge, experience and good practice that can help other applicants in their development.
„Energy Efficient Mentor Companies” are typically selected by invitation.
5.3.4 Unique and personal awards
Each year, the Programme may create unique special award categories (for example, „Energy Advisor of the Year”, „Energy Professional of the Year”, or „Most Developing Company” in recent years). Special prizes can be awarded to companies, organisations, and individuals energy efficiency (corporate energy advisors or managers, technical auditors, experts, etc.).
6. Further information
7. Application fees
The procedure fee for the application is adjusted to the annual total energy consumption of the organizations. The idea behind it is to let them gain access to knowledge and a wide publicity to recognize their activity, in return for a few thousandth of their cost of energy consumption, enabling them to reach leveraged quantifiable savings.
The annual energy consumption is calculated on the basis of the last 12 months prior to application, based on self reporting and subject to potential check on available invoices which the applicant submits during registration.
7.1 Fee for „ENERGY CONSCIOUS” companies, based on their yearly energy consumption results
Under 500MWh/year: 150 EUR + VAT
Up to 1 GWh/year: 300 EUR + VAT
Up to 2 GWh/year: 450 EUR + VAT
Up to 4 GWh/year: 800 EUR + VAT
Up to 10 GWh/year: 1000 EUR + VAT
Up to 40 GWh/year: 1400 EUR + VAT
Over 40 GWh/year: 1800 EUR + VAT
The application procedure fee is to be paid by the applicant at the same time as the application is submitted.
7.2 Fee for „ENERGY efficient” companies, based on their yearly energy consumption results
Under 500MWh/year: 300 EUR + VAT
Up to 1 GWh/year: 600 EUR + VAT
Up to 2 GWh/year: 900 EUR + VAT
Up to 4 GWh/year: 1600 EUR + VAT
Up to 10 GWh/year: 2000 EUR + VAT
Up to 40 GWh/year: 2800 EUR + VAT
Over 40 GWh/year: 3600 EUR + VAT
The application procedure fee is to be paid by the applicant at the same time as the application is submitted.
8. Supporting applicants during the application procedure
8.1 ACCREDITED AUDITORS
The award is based on (self-)evaluation and commitment to energy saving undertakings, enabled by the professional and effective preparation in which the Accredited Auditors Virtual Power Plant Programme, by prior application, provide consultations with potential applicants under the conditions specified in the accreditation contract. The application of the candidate is validated if the consultant has verified and approved it.
The list and availability of Accredited Auditors can be found on the application portal. If an Accredited Auditor provides incorrect information to the VPPP or to the applicant or otherwise violates the accreditation criteria, then its accreditation is to be withdrawn immediately by VPPP.
8.2 APPLICANT information documents
The Virtual Power Plant Programme and its Accredited Auditors provide applicants with a consultation opportunity upon request.
9. Application procedure
9.1 „Energy conscious company” Title application procedure
1.Registration procedure
Companies interested in the Application must fill in the relevant form at the application portal. It means completing an online data sheet where applicants need to give the registration company the general basic data, the characteristics of its activity and the composition and volume of its energy consumption. VPPP manages the content of the database compiled during the registration in compliance with the relevant data protection rules.
FIRST LEVEL control and feedback to applicants
Incoming applications (complete evaluation questionnaires) are checked by the VPPP, recorded in the database and receipt is acknowledged to the applicant.
2. procedural fees
The application process can be initiated by paying the cost for the „Energy-Conscious Company” title. After the receipt of the application an invoice is sent to the applicant with this procedural fee. Further steps in the bidding process may take place following receipt of the procedural fee.
3. Audit and technical controll of applications
The statements and characteristics of the case files enclosed in the submitted application are verified by VPPP’s own experts and auditors authorized by the VPPP during occasional on-spot site visits.
4. Processing applications for evaluation
After processing the results of the audit, the VPPP prepares the applications for the Professional Jury Committee for technical evaluation.
5. Evaluation of applications
The Professional Jury Committee, in accordance with the principles described in point 5, prepares the decision for the applications, which are then approved by the Advisory Board. The decision can be made by electronic voting, the result of which is announced no later than 30 days after the complete submission of the application.
6. Information on decision results and award ceremony
The „Energy Conscious Company” titles are awarded at the annual award ceremony which is organised by VPPP (after informing successful applicants).
9.2 „Energy Efficient company” award application procedure
Companies interested in the Application must fill in the relevant form at the application portal. It means completing an online data sheet where applicants need to give the registration company the general basic data, the characteristics of its activity and the composition and volume of its energy consumption. VPPP manages the content of the database compiled during the registration in compliance with the relevant data protection rules.
Candidates who want to achieve more than the „Energy Conscious Company” can apply for this award. The application is supplemented by the preparation and submission of one or more documents that describe the candidate’s outstanding performance characteristics or demonstrate a specific energy efficiency improvement.
1. FIRST LEVEL control and feedback to applicants
Incoming applications (completed evaluation questionnaire) are checked by the VPPP, recorded in the database and receipt is acknowledged to the applicant.
2. Procedural fees
The application process can be initiated by paying the cost for the „Energy-Efficient Company” Award. After the receipt of the application an invoice is sent to the applicant with this procedural fee. Further steps in the bidding process may take place following receipt of the procedural fee.
3. Audit and technical controll of applications
The statements of the case files contained in the submitted application material are checked by an expert on VPPP and by auditors authorized by the VPPP on an on-site visit and audit. The audit methodology complies with the rules of auditing international management and management system standards (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, etc.), that is, a random sample of objective evidence (documents, records, photographs, declarations, etc.) supporting the allegations in the submitted application. Detailed rules for auditing are made on the VPPP website.
4. PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR EVALUATION
After finishing the audit results, the VPPP prepares the applications to the Professional Jury Committee for evaluation.
5. Evaluation of applications
The Professional Jury Committee, in accordance with the principles outlined in Chapter 5, prepares the applications for both the „Energy Efficient Company” Awards and the applications for the special award categories defined by the Advisory Board, which are approved by the Advisory Board. The decision can be made by electronic voting, the result of which is announced no later than 30 days after the complete submission of the application.
6. Information on decision results and award ceremony
The „Energy Efficient Company” Awards are handed over at the annual award ceremony which is organised by VPPP (after informing successful applicants).
7. Publication of case studies
The case studies submitted with the applications are processed by the VPPP and published in anonymized form or “as is” depending on the applicant’s contribution.
10. Award process
The date of the award ceremony of Excellence in Energy Efficiency Application is adjusted each year to the World Energy Saving Day (March 6). The organization of the awards ceremony is done by the VPPP with the involvement of its Advisory Board.
Following the awards ceremony, it is possible for the prize winners to present their good practice and the specific practice of their excellence at an international conference co-organised by VPPP.
11. Policy on publishing/using awards
11.1 Rules of TRADEMARK, logo and award title usage
There are rules governing the use of logos for the „Energy Conscious Company”, „Energy Efficient Company”, „Energy Efficient Mentor Company” and other category special awards, which will be passed on to winners after the award ceremony.
In case that the title „Energy Conscious Company” or the „Energy Efficient Company” award is won by a department or manufacturing unit, the use of the logo is permitted to be used in any communication channel of the company, subject to the addition of a clearly legible indication of which department, or manufacturing unit won the award.
A summary of development commitments made by „Energy Conscious Companies” must be published by the owners of the title on their own website, in the format specified by VPPP and with acknowledged content.
11.2 Publication of best practices
Success Reports (anonymised or named in the consent of the owner) made by the „Energy Efficient Companies”, the winners of the different award categories and the „Energy Efficient Mentor Companies” are integrated into VPPP’s knowledge base and published accordingly.
12. Data protection and secrecy
