Energy efficiency
EU urges quicker phase-out of gas boilers in bid to halt Russian energy imports
Government incentives for the installation of new fossil fuel boilers should be stopped “much more quickly” because of Russia's war in Ukraine, an EU official explained, saying the current 2027 end date is “far too late” and must be brought forward.
Germany presents energy efficiency ‘work plan’ to reduce fossil fuel demand
Amid growing pressure to reduce Germany’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels, the government presented plans on Tuesday (17 May) to save more energy, reports Clean Energy Wire.
To get rid of Russian fossil fuels, the EU needs to put energy savings first
The biggest potential for massive energy savings lies in the decarbonisation of the EU building stock. But to be effective, measures must be accompanied by a strong EU policy and regulatory framework, write Monica Frassoni and Harry Verhaar.
Experts urge rethink of energy metrics to fully decarbonise buildings
Primary energy consumption is a metric that is commonly used worldwide, including by the European Commission. Most experts agree though that the metric is not fit for purpose when it comes to measuring energy use in buildings.
How demand-side measures can ensure energy security in the EU
The EU can coordinate the efforts of member states in order to prepare for a ban on Russian gas and oil imports, write Jonathan Barth and Christoph Gran.
How to deploy heat pumps at scale – and fast
The EU’s ‘RePowerEU’ plan aims to accelerate the rollout of heat pumps, including doubling the deployment rate in the next five years. Richard Lowes explains how it can be done.
EU bets on local planning to boost district heating
District heating networks are set to receive a boost under draft EU legislation requiring all municipalities above 50,000 inhabitants to map out heating and cooling decarbonisation roadmaps.
Germany splits carbon tax for heating between landlords and tenants
Tenants living in well-insulated homes in Germany will have to shoulder the lion’s share of their CO2 costs for heating, while the burden in inefficient buildings will fall on landlords, reports Clean Energy Wire.
Time to get serious about energy efficiency
Rather than focus exclusively on alternative supplies to Russian energy imports, the EU can and should push for a radical improvement in energy efficiency with bolder policies on building renovation, argues Jessica Stromback.
EU ready to increase energy efficiency target to eliminate Russian gas
The European Commission is revising the economic assumptions behind its energy and climate laws package presented last year, saying sky-high gas prices fuelled by the war in Ukraine have strengthened the case for more ambitious energy efficiency goals.
High energy costs intensify debate over EU plan to decarbonise heating and transport
A European Union plan to charge fuel suppliers for the CO2 emitted by cars and heating buildings is emerging as the most contentious element in a raft of climate change policies the bloc's member states are negotiating this year.
The EU must regulate embodied carbon to deliver climate-proof buildings
The EU is neglecting emissions from building materials and construction, but the negotiations on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive can fill this gap, writes a group of leading Danish professional associations and NGOs.
Power grid flexibility vital to ‘avoid blackouts’, EU’s Sefcovic says
Batteries and hydrogen can provide the necessary flexibility for Europe’s electricity grid to avoid blackouts in an energy system increasingly dominated by intermittent wind and solar, said Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commission vice-president in charge of foresight.
Public and new buildings must lead the energy transition
Each EU country must ensure that at least 3% of the floor area of buildings owned by public bodies are renovated every year – including hospitals and schools, not just buildings owned and occupied by central government, write Jutta Paulus and Ciarán Cuffe.
Europe misspent business energy savings funds, auditors say
More than €2 billion of European Union funding to help businesses save energy contributed little to climate change targets and in some cases funded investments that would have happened anyway, auditors said on Monday (17 January).
EU’s new buildings law aims to renovate 15% least efficient homes
The European Commission has proposed the introduction of minimum energy performance standards for the 15% worst performing buildings in Europe, which would be rated “G” on the EU’s energy performance scale, whether they are residential or not.
EU warned against watering down climate ambition in buildings law
There are growing concerns that the European Commission is considering to water down a key piece of legislation that would drive emissions reductions in buildings ahead of its publication this week.
Energy saving schemes need better targeting at poorest households, experts say
The ongoing energy price crisis has exposed the vulnerability of low-income households, many of whom struggle to access financial support, experts said in a roundtable organised last week (2 December) by the Brussels-based Coalition for Energy Savings.
Energy efficiency
With the European Green Deal, the EU is increasing its climate ambition and aims to lower energy use by 9% below 2020 levels before the end of the decade. In this special report, EURACTIV looks at European Commission plans to ramp up energy savings.
Niels Fuglsang MEP: Revised EU energy efficiency rules must trigger immediate action
The revised Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) must ensure that EU member states take action in the short term and do not delay their efforts until the end of the decade, says the EU lawmaker responsible for drafting the European Parliament’s position on the draft legislation.
Better data needed to manage our buildings
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have immense, as-yet untapped potential to help Europe decarbonise. But the methodology that underpins them must be revamped first, argues Adrian Joyce, who is calling for a reform as part of the upcoming revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
Policies to mitigate high energy prices should fast-track building renovation
It is troubling to see that buildings have been given a relatively small space in the overall strategy to combat rising energy prices, writes Oliver Rapf. VideoPromoted content
The Energy balance and the thermal properties of glazing
To ensure a proper assessment of the energy performance of windows, heat gains (g-value) have to be considered and balanced with heat losses (u-value), to both minimize heating demand and limit cooling needs. This is the energy balance of windows.