A manufacturing SME runs older compressed-air and motor systems that consume more energy than current high-efficiency equipment would. Compressed air in particular is an expensive utility, and leaks and inefficient compressors waste a large share of it. The company wants to replace the systems with high-efficiency units, cutting its energy bill, but wants to reduce the upfront cost of the upgrade.
The cross-cutting technologies module of the EEW funds the replacement of widely used cross-cutting technologies, electric motors and drives, pumps, fans, and compressed-air systems, with high-efficiency units. It is aimed mainly at small and medium-sized enterprises, and at replacement rather than entirely new installations. The grant is non-repayable, the rate depends on company size, and the measure must be applied for before it starts and the equipment operated for a required minimum period.
These technologies are everywhere in industry and often run far below the efficiency that current equipment achieves, so replacing them is one of the most reliable ways to cut energy use without changing the production process itself.
The upgrade fits the cross-cutting technologies module directly: high-efficiency compressors and motors replacing the older units. The eligible costs are the new equipment and its installation. As a small company, the manufacturer qualifies for the higher end of the rate for this module. On the investment in new high-efficiency systems, the grant comes to about EUR 120,000. The company applies before any binding order and operates the new equipment for the required minimum period.
The cross-cutting technologies module is applied for before the purchase, through the Foerderzentrale Deutschland, and the funded equipment must be operated for a minimum retention period. The rate depends on company size, with small companies receiving more than medium-sized ones. A short assessment of the existing systems, the age and efficiency of the motors, pumps, fans and the compressed-air installation, and the losses from leaks, helps size the saving and supports the application. Compressed air in particular repays attention, because a large share of its running cost is often lost to leaks and to oversized or inefficient compressors, so the saving from a high-efficiency replacement can be substantial.
A €120k BAFA EEW grant.
The grant covers a meaningful share of the upgrade and improves its payback. Energy use falls across the plant, the compressed-air system runs efficiently again, and the company cuts a recurring cost without touching its production process.
Module 1 · Cross-cutting technologies · higher for small co.The cross-cutting technologies module is one of the simplest BAFA EEW routes: replace inefficient everyday equipment with high-efficiency units and have a share funded. For any SME running older motors, pumps, fans or compressed-air systems, it is a low-effort way to cut energy cost, provided the grant is secured before the investment.
The questions we hear most about the programme. Short answer first, detail after.
The replacement of widely used cross-cutting technologies such as electric motors and drives, pumps, fans and compressed-air systems with high-efficiency units, mainly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
This module is aimed at replacing existing, less efficient equipment with high-efficiency units, rather than at entirely new installations.
It is aimed mainly at small and medium-sized enterprises, with the rate depending on company size.
Before the investment starts. The funded equipment must then be operated for the required minimum period.
How an industrial company secured a BAFA EEW grant to convert an energy-intensive process, with…
Read the storyHow a deep-tech company secured EIC Accelerator blended finance to scale a breakthrough hardware…
Read the storyHow a company secured an EU Innovation Fund grant for a grid-scale energy-storage demonstration -…
Read the storyHow a biotech SME secured Eurostars 3 funding for a transnational assay-development project - how…
Read the storyHow a university founder team secured the EXIST founder stipend to turn a research-based software…
Read the storyHow a medical-device manufacturer secured a GRW grant for a cleanroom capacity expansion in a…
Read the storyHow a deep-tech company secured its funded share of a multi-partner Horizon Europe consortium…
Read the storyHow a manufacturer financed a new product line with a low-interest KfW innovation loan - what a…
Read the storyTell us about your project. A funding advisor reviews your case by hand, then either comes back with feedback or a few follow-up questions. No obligation.
