ABSTRACT

Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) are integral to economic development. However, they face significant challenges within their operations, of which access to an affordable power supply is profound. Self-generation options have the potential to curtail these challenges to an extent, but SMEs need to choose options that provide significant cost savings. This study proposes a simulation-based real options model using secondary data to evaluate the cost savings potential for SMEs in switching from conventional power generating sources to renewable energy based on three main scenarios: using renewable energy as a backup; a complete transition to renewable energy generation; and a partial transition to renewable energy sources. The results show that using renewable energy as backup sources of energy does not provide significant cost savings to the SME. However, a complete or a partial transition from conventional to renewable energy resources offers substantial cost savings for the SME over the life of the renewable energy technology. SMEs must consider capacity factors of renewable energy technologies, tariffs for conventional power supply, system reliability of conventional systems, and the investment costs for renewable energy generation as critical determining factors for renewable energy investments. Successful integration of renewable energy by SMEs also requires policy support towards educating SMEs on its importance and technical requirements.

Key policy insights

• Renewable energy integration can allow SMEs to make substantial savings in their power consumption costs.

• SMEs must be mindful of an approach towards investing in renewable energy technologies so that it also maximises their gains in renewable energy integration.

• Government policy must focus on creating an enabling environment for SMEs to reap the benefits of renewable energy integration.

摘要

中小型企业 (SME) 是经济发展不可或缺的一部分。然而，他们在运营中面临着重大挑战，其中获得负担得起的电力供应是深刻的。自发电选项有可能在一定程度上减少这些挑战，但中小企业需要选择能够显着节省成本的选项。本研究提出了一个基于模拟的实物期权模型，使用二手数据来评估中小企业从传统能源转向可再生能源的成本节约潜力，主要基于以下三种情况：使用可再生能源作为备用能源；完全过渡到可再生能源发电；以及部分过渡到可再生能源。结果表明，使用可再生能源作为备用能源并不能为中小企业节省大量成本。然而，从传统能源到可再生能源的完全或部分过渡可为中小企业在可再生能源技术的整个生命周期内节省大量成本。中小企业必须将可再生能源技术的容量因素、传统电源的电价、传统系统的系统可靠性以及可再生能源发电的投资成本作为可再生能源投资的关键决定因素。中小企业成功整合可再生能源还需要政策支持，以教育中小企业了解其重要性和技术要求。从传统能源到可再生能源的完全或部分过渡可为中小企业在可再生能源技术的整个生命周期内节省大量成本。中小企业必须将可再生能源技术的容量因素、传统电源的电价、传统系统的系统可靠性以及可再生能源发电的投资成本作为可再生能源投资的关键决定因素。中小企业成功整合可再生能源还需要政策支持，以教育中小企业了解其重要性和技术要求。从传统能源到可再生能源的完全或部分过渡可为中小企业在可再生能源技术的整个生命周期内节省大量成本。中小企业必须将可再生能源技术的容量因素、传统电源的电价、传统系统的系统可靠性以及可再生能源发电的投资成本作为可再生能源投资的关键决定因素。中小企业成功整合可再生能源还需要政策支持，以教育中小企业了解其重要性和技术要求。可再生能源发电的投资成本是可再生能源投资的关键决定因素。中小企业成功整合可再生能源还需要政策支持，以教育中小企业了解其重要性和技术要求。可再生能源发电的投资成本是可再生能源投资的关键决定因素。中小企业成功整合可再生能源还需要政策支持，以教育中小企业了解其重要性和技术要求。

主要政策见解

• 可再生能源整合可以让中小企业大幅节省电力消耗成本。

• 中小企业必须注意投资可再生能源技术的方法，以便最大限度地提高可再生能源整合的收益。

• 政府政策必须侧重于为中小企业创造有利环境，以从可再生能源整合中获益。