natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
A combination of low density renewableS, best practices in energy conservation and the development of co- or trigenerated heating and cooling networks based on biomass or high temperature geothermal could bring high shares of renewables to the building sectors energy needs, reduce EU's oil dependency, unnecessary electricity consumption and diminish gas use in buildings thus freeing up gas for the electricity market.
A combination of low density renewableS, best practices in energy conservation and the development of co- or trigenerated heating and cooling networks based on biomass or high temperature geothermal could bring high shares of renewables to the building sectors energy needs, reduce EU's oil dependency, unnecessary electricity consumption and diminish gas use in buildings thus freeing up gas for the electricity market.
i) Every new building a potential renewable energy power generator
i ) Every new building a potential renewable energy power generator
Near Freiburg in Germany houses that are producing more energy (5) over a year's time than they use have been built.
Near Freiburg in Germany houses that are producing more energy (5) over a year's time than they use have been built.
The standards for new buildings have been reduced over the last 20 years from above 150 W/m2 to 10 W/m2 (passive energy standards) (6).
The standards for new buildings have been reduced over the last 20 years from above 150 W/m2 to 10 W/m2 (passive energy standards) (6).
Individual renewable energy based heating (7) based on biomass are available.
Individual renewable energy based heating (7) based on biomass are available.
The development of industrial scale solutions like prefabricated roof or facade elements combining high insulation standards with integrated solar thermal or PV elements could speed up such practice while raising the productivity in the building industry and cut costs.
The development of industrial scale solutions like prefabricated roof or facade elements combining high insulation standards with integrated solar thermal or PV elements could speed up such practice while raising the productivity in the building industry and cut costs.
The Commission should work with EU governments to progressively upgrade building standards and create a technology platform to integrate PV and other renewables in building components.
The Commission should work with EU governments to progressively upgrade building standards and create a technology platform to integrate PV and other renewables in building components.
ii) Greening the existing EU building stock: a CO2 reduction and a job gold mine
ii) Greening the existing EU building stock: a CO2 reduction and a job gold mine
The renovation of the German Bundestag (8) - a Norman Forster combination of energy conservation with an oil rape seed fuelled co-generation shows that modern architecture and renewable energy go together.
The renovation of the German Bundestag (8) - a Norman Forster combination of energy conservation with an oil rape seed fuelled co-generation shows that modern architecture and renewable energy go together.
A big opportunity ahead for EU’s climate policy lies in the existing building stock.
A big opportunity ahead for EU’s climate policy lies in the existing building stock.
New studies from EU building industries (9) show that a 20% cut in emissions from this sector is possible while creating jobs.
New studies from EU building industries (9) show that a 20% cut in emissions from this sector is possible while creating jobs.
Parallel to reduction in demand, new biomass based tri-generation - combining electricity production with the use of the waste heat (10a) from this production to heat or cooling - has a large commercial potential.
Parallel to reduction in demand, new biomass based tri-generation - combining electricity production with the use of the waste heat (10a) from this production to heat or cooling - has a large commercial potential.
In Eastern Europe most big cities already have large-scale district heating systems (10b), but many need to be modernized and to switch form coal to biomass.
In Eastern Europe most big cities already have large-scale district heating systems (10b), but many need to be modernized and to switch form coal to biomass.
Furthermore, the ongoing miniaturisation of engines combined with the development of software for intelligent grid systems will also enhance the opportunities for CHP schemes for smaller buildings and be the first potential market for green hydrogen based fuel cells (11).
Furthermore, the ongoing miniaturisation of engines combined with the development of software for intelligent grid systems will also enhance the opportunities for CHP schemes for smaller buildings and be the first potential market for green hydrogen based fuel cells (11).
Because reduced energy bills have to be pre-financed by new invest, a European Investment Bank global loan which allows local and regional financial institutes to offer cheaper credits and the development of an EU market for Energy Saving Companies (ESCOs) are the solutions.
Because reduced energy bills have to be pre-financed by new invest, a European Investment Bank global loan which allows local and regional financial institutes to offer cheaper credits and the development of an EU market for Energy Saving Companies (ESCOs) are the solutions.
iii) Solar heating ... and cooling: the challenge ahead
iii) Solar heating ... and cooling: the challenge ahead
Greece and Austria show the enormous commercial potential for solar thermal (12).
Greece and Austria show the enormous commercial potential for solar thermal (12).
The most effective solar thermal collectors are today able to generate enough heat to be converted in cooling energy (13).
The most effective solar thermal collectors are today able to generate enough heat to be converted in cooling energy (13).
Replacing electricity powered cooling by a combination of climate zone adapted architecture and solar cooling is one of the big EU energy challenges.
Replacing electricity powered cooling by a combination of climate zone adapted architecture and solar cooling is one of the big EU energy challenges.
Additional policy measures needed at EU Level for the building sector should focus on a new directive for renewables in the heating and cooling sector, strengthening and broadening of the existing EU building directive.
Additional policy measures needed at EU Level for the building sector should focus on a new directive for renewables in the heating and cooling sector, strengthening and broadening of the existing EU building directive.
Green electricity: Aiming for a European wide 100% renewable electricity system
Green electricity: Aiming for a European wide 100% renewable electricity system
The directive for renewables in the field of electricity foresees a growth from 15% in 2000 to more than 20% in 2010.
The directive for renewables in the field of electricity foresees a growth from 15% in 2000 to more than 20% in 2010.
The EU is leading the world.
The EU is leading the world.
Renewables are today the fastest growing source for electricity in the EU with growth rates higher than 20% for both wind and solar (14).
Renewables are today the fastest growing source for electricity in the EU with growth rates higher than 20% for both wind and solar (14).
The cost of renewable energy is falling rapidly (15).
The cost of renewable energy is falling rapidly (15).
The technical potential for renewables is large.
The technical potential for renewables is large.
Biomass, wind and geothermal will be widely deployed in the next 10 to 15 years, solar PV but also solar thermal electricity and marine renewables like energy from sea currents, energy form tidal, energy from waves are developing rapidly (16).
Biomass, wind and geothermal will be widely deployed in the next 10 to 15 years, solar PV but also solar thermal electricity and marine renewables like energy from sea currents, energy form tidal, energy from waves are developing rapidly (16).
High shares of renewables in the electricity field is less a technological than a political problem.
High shares of renewables in the electricity field is less a technological than a political problem.
Therefore we will concentrate here on the necessary policy instruments :
Therefore we will concentrate here on the necessary policy instruments :
1) The importance of demand side in electricity
1) The importance of demand side in electricity
The share of renewable electricity in the total electricity consumption will depend on future demand side policies.
The share of renewable electricity in the total electricity consumption will depend on future demand side policies.
There are no cheaper CO2 reduction measures and no quicker measures to enhance Europe’s security of supply than sound demand side policies for electricity.
There are no cheaper CO2 reduction measures and no quicker measures to enhance Europe’s security of supply than sound demand side policies for electricity.
2) Put the market right.
2) Put the market right.
Stop environmentally harmful subsidies
Stop environmentally harmful subsidies
Renewables electricity are today largely penalised by decades old unfair advantages given to electricity producing technologies like coal and nuclear.
Renewables electricity are today largely penalised by decades old unfair advantages given to electricity producing technologies like coal and nuclear.
Direct State aid .
Direct State aid .
In the case of the coal sector over the last decade France, Germany, Spain and UK granted approximately €70 billion in aid and Poland €3.8 billion for 2003 alone (17).
In the case of the coal sector over the last decade France, Germany, Spain and UK granted approximately €70 billion in aid and Poland €3.8 billion for 2003 alone (17).
Non-Internalisation of Externalities .
Non-Internalisation of Externalities .
In the current electricity market coal and nuclear have several advantages.
In the current electricity market coal and nuclear have several advantages.
First of all nearly all existing nuclear and coal power plants were financed during monopolistic times their capital costs have been broadly written off.
First of all nearly all existing nuclear and coal power plants were financed during monopolistic times their capital costs have been broadly written off.
Secondly, coal power production does not pay for their full CO2 costs.
Secondly, coal power production does not pay for their full CO2 costs.
Thirdly, there is little transparency about the real and full costs of nuclear-based electricity production.
Thirdly, there is little transparency about the real and full costs of nuclear-based electricity production.
The British government (and tax payers) recently assigned 6 Billion Euro to save the privatised nuclear operator British energy from bankruptcy and 70 Billion Euro to take care of UK's radioactive waste.
The British government (and tax payers) recently assigned 6 Billion Euro to save the privatised nuclear operator British energy from bankruptcy and 70 Billion Euro to take care of UK's radioactive waste.
3) Fair access to the grid for renewables
3) Fair access to the grid for renewables
Fair access to both distribution and transportation grid and fair pricing of balancing energy have been together with complex authorisation schemes identified by EU Commission as main hurdles to a quicker renewables penetration.
Fair access to both distribution and transportation grid and fair pricing of balancing energy have been together with complex authorisation schemes identified by EU Commission as main hurdles to a quicker renewables penetration.
With the market success of wind a huge discussion has started on the "non reliability" of renewables.
With the market success of wind a huge discussion has started on the "non reliability" of renewables.
There are a lot of myths in this discussion:
There are a lot of myths in this discussion:
- renewableS are more than wind.
- renewableS are more than wind.
Large hydro, geothermal and biomass have a positive impact on grid stability
Large hydro, geothermal and biomass have a positive impact on grid stability
- in the next years gas will largely enter the power market with units close ranging from some kW in residential houses to mid size units of 350 to 500 MW, freeing up transport space in Eu grid system.Gas power stations are easily to be switched on and off thus enhancing the balancing capacities of the grid.
- in the next years gas will largely enter the power market with units close ranging from some kW in residential houses to mid size units of 350 to 500 MW, freeing up transport space in Eu grid system.Gas power stations are easily to be switched on and off thus enhancing the balancing capacities of the grid.
- recent detailed studies in Germany (18) show that even large scale development of onshore and off-shore wind does not put grid operators to unsolvable problems: in order to absorb the more than 80.000 MW new wind capacity Germany needs until 2015 to reinforce its existing 180.000 km of high voltage grid by 2 lines of 8 KM and three lines of 80 KM!
- recent detailed studies in Germany (18) show that even large scale development of onshore and off-shore wind does not put grid operators to unsolvable problems: in order to absorb the more than 80.000 MW new wind capacity Germany needs until 2015 to reinforce its existing 180.000 km of high voltage grid by 2 lines of 8 KM and three lines of 80 KM!
More innovative solutions like connecting parts of German offshore in the North sea to cables with Norway to equalize fluctuating wind with hydro or to produce form part of the huge wind potential green hydrogen have not even been considered in these scenarios.
More innovative solutions like connecting parts of German offshore in the North sea to cables with Norway to equalize fluctuating wind with hydro or to produce form part of the huge wind potential green hydrogen have not even been considered in these scenarios.
Political Priorities in the Power Market
Political Priorities in the Power Market
Almost 50% of the today existing overall electricity production in the EU will have to be replaced because of end of their life cycle.
Almost 50% of the today existing overall electricity production in the EU will have to be replaced because of end of their life cycle.
This opens a window of opportunity to put the EU power policy right.
This opens a window of opportunity to put the EU power policy right.
- A minimum 2020 target for green electricity consumption of at least 35% percent should be set to keep EUs leadership.
- A minimum 2020 target for green electricity consumption of at least 35% percent should be set to keep EUs leadership.
In order to protect renewables against the existing market distortions, the actual support schemes should be allowed to continue until 2020.
In order to protect renewables against the existing market distortions, the actual support schemes should be allowed to continue until 2020.
- a biomass action plan (19) and a coordinated large scale North Sea wind (20) energy project to boost rapid extension of these renewables
- a biomass action plan (19) and a coordinated large scale North Sea wind (20) energy project to boost rapid extension of these renewables
- In the R&D FP7 program a maximum of money should be earmarked for renewables and energy efficiency (21).
- In the R&D FP7 program a maximum of money should be earmarked for renewables and energy efficiency (21).
300 million for renewables and 200 million for efficiency seem adequate to boost technical development of non-mature renewable technologies and to accelerate the cost cuts for those close to the markets.
300 million for renewables and 200 million for efficiency seem adequate to boost technical development of non-mature renewable technologies and to accelerate the cost cuts for those close to the markets.
- A third directive on electricity and gas market is needed with measures like full ownership unbundling, fair access to storage both, reduction of market power of the dominating companies and fully segregated decommissioning funds
- A third directive on electricity and gas market is needed with measures like full ownership unbundling, fair access to storage both, reduction of market power of the dominating companies and fully segregated decommissioning funds
Transport: Efficiency first, renewable fuels second, hydrogen third
Transport: Efficiency first, renewable fuels second, hydrogen third
Today's transport policies are causing a huge import dependency of highly volatile oil, create dramatic health problems and are responsible for fast rising CO 2 emissions.
Today's transport policies are causing a huge import dependency of highly volatile oil, create dramatic health problems and are responsible for fast rising CO 2 emissions.
Without significant reforms in the very structure of transport schemes (system efficiency) and a substantial increase in efficiency a higher share of renewable fuels will be difficult to obtain.
Without significant reforms in the very structure of transport schemes (system efficiency) and a substantial increase in efficiency a higher share of renewable fuels will be difficult to obtain.
Increase the efficiency of the system
Increase the efficiency of the system
Sustainability in transport policy depends on a coherent system approach.
Sustainability in transport policy depends on a coherent system approach.
Efficiency gains are needed through structural measures like better urban and regional planning (22), shift in goods and persons transport from air and road to train, buses and the development of bicycle and pedestrian mobility in urban cities
Efficiency gains are needed through structural measures like better urban and regional planning (22), shift in goods and persons transport from air and road to train, buses and the development of bicycle and pedestrian mobility in urban cities
Lighter cars and enhanced engine efficiency
Lighter cars and enhanced engine efficiency
Gradually raised efficiency performance standards for cars, busses, trains and airplanes are a second priority.
Gradually raised efficiency performance standards for cars, busses, trains and airplanes are a second priority.
Energy savings like weight reductions and a trend to smaller cars combined with an introduction of hybrid drive systems are short-term reduction possibilities that are cost effective.
Energy savings like weight reductions and a trend to smaller cars combined with an introduction of hybrid drive systems are short-term reduction possibilities that are cost effective.
Mandatory performance targets for cars like the newly introduced Californian model are important to give the car manufacturer a clear and stable framework for their future investments.
Mandatory performance targets for cars like the newly introduced Californian model are important to give the car manufacturer a clear and stable framework for their future investments.
Well-to-Wheel energy chance as a basis for technology and fuel choices
Well-to-Wheel energy chance as a basis for technology and fuel choices
Before engaging into a policy for alternative fuels, EU and governments should carefully analyses the total environmental impact of different fuel sources and conversion technologies.
Before engaging into a policy for alternative fuels, EU and governments should carefully analyses the total environmental impact of different fuel sources and conversion technologies.
The well-to-wheel energy chain analysis - developed by the Commission Joint Research Center in their CONCAWE study (23) - must be undertaken for different fuels.
The well-to-wheel energy chain analysis - developed by the Commission Joint Research Center in their CONCAWE study (23) - must be undertaken for different fuels.
Notes & Web links:
Notes & Web links:
(1) Web Link - COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - The share of renewable energy in the EU
(1) Web Link - COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - The share of renewable energy in the EU
(2) See Annex I - The proportion of labour force supporting the renewable energy sector in 2010
(2) See Annex I - The proportion of labour force supporting the renewable energy sector in 2010
(3) See Annex II - 21 renewable energy - renewableS - technologies for the XXI century & Annex III - pictures of the different technologies
(3) See Annex II - 21 renewable energy - renewableS - technologies for the XXI century & Annex III - pictures of the different technologies
(4) Web link - Final report of the German Bundestag Enquete-Commission regarding 'Sustainable energy supply under conditions of globalisation and liberalisation' (Drucksache 14/9400 - 07.07.2002) Chapter 5 - scenario 5.1.2
(4) Web link - Final report of the German Bundestag Enquete-Commission regarding 'Sustainable energy supply under conditions of globalisation and liberalisation' (Drucksache 14/9400 - 07.07.2002) Chapter 5 - scenario 5.1.2
; also check the web link the Greens / European Free Alliance -
; also check the web link the Greens / European Free Alliance -
(5) Web link - See projects by the solar architecture office of Rolf Disch in Germany
(5) Web link - See projects by the solar architecture office of Rolf Disch in Germany
(6) See Annex IV - Building trends in Upper Austria - Energy efficiency standards for housing
(6) See Annex IV - Building trends in Upper Austria - Energy efficiency standards for housing
(7) Web link - Various information on energy efficient homes.
(7) Web link - Various information on energy efficient homes.
(8) Web link - Latest technologies and concepts in the German Bundestag and Reichstag allow to cut down energy consumption and emissions of CO2 in particular.
(8) Web link - Latest technologies and concepts in the German Bundestag and Reichstag allow to cut down energy consumption and emissions of CO2 in particular.
(9) Web link - See studies by EURIMA - The European Association of Insulation Manufacturers
(9) Web link - See studies by EURIMA - The European Association of Insulation Manufacturers
(10a) & (10b) Web link - Different associations are active in the field of cogeneration
(10a) & (10b) Web link - Different associations are active in the field of cogeneration
(11) Web link - See information on green based hydrogen fuel cells at the website of the Greens / European Free Alliance -
(11) Web link - See information on green based hydrogen fuel cells at the website of the Greens / European Free Alliance -
(12) See Annex V - The average installed solar thermal capacity in EU-15
(12) See Annex V - The average installed solar thermal capacity in EU-15
(13) Web link - Information on Solar Cooling / Solar Assisted Air conditioning can be found on the website of the Research Task 25 of the IEA's Solar Heating and Cooling Programme:
(13) Web link - Information on Solar Cooling / Solar Assisted Air conditioning can be found on the website of the Research Task 25 of the IEA's Solar Heating and Cooling Programme:
A collection of existing solar cooling installations can be found on the website of the SACE project:
A collection of existing solar cooling installations can be found on the website of the SACE project:
This project was financed largely by the EC's 5th Framework Program.
This project was financed largely by the EC's 5th Framework Program.
(14) See Annex VI - Cumulative wind energy installed capacity & Annex VII - Cumulative photovoltaic installed capacity
(14) See Annex VI - Cumulative wind energy installed capacity & Annex VII - Cumulative photovoltaic installed capacity
(15) See Annex VIII - Falling cost of photovoltaic & Annex IX - Prices for different generation technologies
(15) See Annex VIII - Falling cost of photovoltaic & Annex IX - Prices for different generation technologies
(16) See Annexes X & XI - exemplary detailed scenario for electricity
(16) See Annexes X & XI - exemplary detailed scenario for electricity
(17) Web link - Visit the European Commission website and see the information under 'State Aid'
(17) Web link - Visit the European Commission website and see the information under 'State Aid'