Assessing the Indicators of Municipalities’ Energy Efficiency

Abstract

The paper presents the results of research on developing a methodology of generalized assessment of energy saving and energy efficiency indicators of municipalities. Practical calculations performed by the author in Russia have revealed a number of issues typical of most regions. These include limited access to information as a result of the growing territorial monopolization of the economy, a lack or distortion of the necessary statistical data at the municipal level, and heterogeneity of the territories being compared in terms of their natural and geographical, social, and economic features. All this makes it even more difficult methodologically to compile an energy efficiency ranking of the territories in response to appropriate legislative decision with regard to the activities of the executive authorities in the field of energy conservation. In view of the requirements of the Russian legislation regarding the contents of target indicators and their comparison against the available statistical information, the author has defined an exhaustive mix of the available indicators and developed methodical approaches to assessing the efficiency level of using fuel and energy resources within municipalities. The energy efficiency indicators suggested by the author correlate with the target indicators recommended by the Government of the Russian Federation, and, taken together, characterize the basic aspects of the territories’ energy efficiency.