More energy efficient buildings could save € 270 bn

With simple measures such as roof and wall insulation in buildings Europe could save € 270 bn a year in energy costs. The European Insulation Manufacturers Association EURIMA asked Ecofys to calculate how much energy could be saved by making existing buildings in Europe more energy efficient. Recently EURIMA presented the outcome of the study to the European energy ministers and called the report a ‘wake up call’ for action. The report demands to extend the energy performance of buildings directive (EPBD). In particular the EPBD must be extended to ensure that also existing residential buildings smaller than 1000 m2 are covered by an obligation, because the residential sector – in particular single family houses - is the main contributor to the total heating and cooling demand in Europe.

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Irish energy saving scheme for industry

Irish Energy minister Noel Dempsey launched a programme to reduce energy by large industrial companies, the Energy Agreements Programme. The programme has to contribute to the achievement of the target of improving energy efficiency in Ireland with 1% each year from 2008 to 2017. Ten companies signed up for the programme. The joining firms have to work towards certification to the new Irish Standard on energy management, IS 393. In return, participating companies will get tailor-made support in reaching the standard and in benefiting fully from the process.

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New offshore wind farm in Belgian sea

The Belgian government has given permission to build an offshore wind farm in the North Sea close to Oostende. Eldepasco, a group of Belgian companies, want to build 36 wind turbines of 6 MW. The farm will generate about 735 GWh power per year, this will be about 1% of Belgian power generation. The Eldepasco project costs € 500 million and will generate power from 2009.

Electric power generation in Europe decreased

Last year power stations in the European Union have generated 0.2 % less power compared to 2004, according to a report of the European statistical agency Eurostat. In particular the generation of nuclear power has decreased with a percentage of 1.4. Generation of power from wind and hydro has decreased with 2.1 %. However , the use of power increased with 0,4%. This is due to the fact that the EU also imports power.

Greenpeace: Belgium should replace nuclear by renewable power

Belgium can stop generating nuclear power and at the same time reduce its CO2-emissions, according to a study of the German Centre for Air- and Spacecraft (LRD) commissioned by Greenpeace. This is possible if the Belgian government chooses for more efficient energy use and the development of renewable energy sources. Greenpeace underlines in the report ‘The Belgian Energy Revolution’ that Belgium should choose for this scenario. In Belgium CO2 emissions per year per capita is much higher (10,8 tonnes) than in the rest of Europe (an average of 8 tonnes).

EU technology platform launched for solar thermal

Energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs launched an EU-supported technology platform to work out a long term vision and a strategic research agenda for the solar thermal industry. According to Estif (European Solar Thermal Industry), the initiator of the platform, solar thermal has to play a very important role in European and national energy policies by replacing fossil fuels for heating and cooling. This is the sixth technology platform of the European Commission that focuses on energy.