Energy efficiency clusters and platforms as a potential for SMEs development : Poland case study

Looking for new ways to access new technologies, trying to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emission, or simply searching a new place on the changing market, SMEs access energy efficiency clusters to be more environmentally friendly and to find new business opportunities. The main aim of this chapter is to identify the existing SMEs ability toward cooperation and relation with networks/clusters/associations. The chapter presents main motivators perceived on energy efficiency initiatives and joining energy clusters by Polish SMEs based on the results of the survey conducted in Poland in December 2017 and January 2018. The result of investigating 246 SMEs (micro, small, and medium) located in Poland is presented in the chapter. The study shows that the awareness of Polish SMEs according to collaboration and creating new business models is quite good, while the perception of platforms as a facilitator is still rather weak. The importance of energy efficiency platforms as a source of knowledge was highlighted by surveyed entities.