The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) is organizing a five-day multicountry observational study mission (OSM) on Energy Efficiency and Energy Management Practices for SMEs in Taipei, Republic of China, 24–28 July 2017. It is being implemented by the China Productivity Center (CPC) to create awareness of innovative, smart energy-efficiency applications that can be used by SMEs to reduce energy consumption.

Nineteen participants from 10 member countries are attending the OSM, which is conducted by APO experts Technical Director Howie Ng Ha Wai of Hong Kong Veritas Limited and General Manager for Energy and Carbon Services Sanjiv Kumar Bose of the BSI Group India. Chief Guest and CPC President Dr. Pao-Cheng Chang opened the first session.

Mission modules include presentations on the concepts and fundamentals of energy efficiency and management. The energy professionals, SME managers, and energy managers, consultants, and auditors attending will examine current energy management tools and techniques, their industrial applications, and use of energy-efficient systems in building and facility management. Case studies and country papers will provide examples for comparative analyses.

Observational site visits to SMEs using advanced green energy technologies for improving energy management and energy efficiency are an important feature of the OSM. It will also identify effective ways to transfer such technologies to the manufacturing sector in participants’ countries, which is key to sustainable economic development.

Welcoming participants, experts, and distinguished guests to the inaugural session of the OSM, APO Secretariat Industry Department Project Officer Mayu Chiba noted that while robust economic growth in APO economies was good news, it was creating environment burdens as massive development also meant increased energy use. “Energy has always been a critical issue in APO member countries. Attempts to manage energy resources more effectively have shown clear success in many parts of the world, such as increasing adoption of energy-saving appliances and utilization of energy-efficient techniques and technologies by SMEs. Yet more needs to be done in both the private and public sectors to encourage the application of energy-efficient practices and processes in the Asia-Pacific region.”

“I believe that now is the time to promote energy efficiency and conservation in a tangible manner to enable smarter, more economical use of energy to contribute to both continued development and mitigation of its negative effects on the environment,” she added, hoping that the learning points from the OSM would help participants take tangible actions such as adopting innovative, smart energy efficiency applications and tools to make their organizations more competitive and sustainable.