Summary
The BIOSOLESCO project focuses on a relatively new approach, energy service companies (ESCos) emerging as a way to increase the uptake rate of biomass and solar heat projects in larger buildings in the public and private sector. ESCos are companies that provide a full range of energy services with repayment in generated savings. They offer a complete package, from design, finance and installation to operation, including maintenance and fuel supply.

Rationale
Since the type of ESCo for delivering renewables is relatively rare, this approach is poorly understood. Thus, the project will analyse issues central to ESCo establishment, such as investment models, contracts and other relevant issues with regard to which information is limited and dispersed in the EU. This work will also deepen our understanding of the hurdles which ESCos are faced with and will provide information on ways of overcoming such hurdles in practice.

At the moment, the perceived risks and uncertainty decrease the prospect for switching to sustainable methods of either generating or using renewable energy. It is envisaged that by managing these risks, the ESCOs of this kind will bring about a change in the perceptions of potential recipients. 

Objectives
This project will expand the use of biomass and solar heat in both the public and the private sector through:

• Improved understanding of the approaches adopted by ESCos and promotion of this newly acquired knowledge among the EU biomass heat and solar thermal industries and potential users.
• State-of-the-art exemplary energy services implementation in the use of biomass heat, solar heat or biomass+solar in participating Member States.