The EiD post of March 23rd stated that on Wednesday, March 21st, the European Parliament and the Council published a comparative methodology framework for calculating cost-optimal levels of minimum energy performance requirements for buildings and building elements. This was required under the recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Guidelines as intended by Annex … Continue reading Guidance document on cost optimality
Category: legislation
Will April be “the cruellest month”?
The British poet, T.S. Eliot, in his poem “The Wasteland” called April the “cruellest month.” Thirteen months after the publication of the Commission’s Energy Efficiency Plan and ten months after its publication of the proposed Energy Efficiency Directive, April is turning into crunch time. The Council (represented by Denmark as President), the European Parliament and … Continue reading Will April be “the cruellest month”?
Energy efficiency laws in Russia – starting the journey
With high potential, Russia has much to do to improve its energy efficiency in all sectors. Rod Janssen of EiD has worked in many parts of Russia and knows first hand the problems that the country faces. This is an excellent article from the Moscow Times giving an overview of the policies and the challenges … Continue reading Energy efficiency laws in Russia – starting the journey
China making significant progress in building energy code compliance
A new report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and the Global Buildings Performance Network, published mid March, shows that compliance on building codes in China has been steadily improving since 2005. "The significant improvement is rooted in strong governmental regulatory support; clear rules about the responsibilities of key stakeholders and penalties for … Continue reading China making significant progress in building energy code compliance
Cost optimality
On Wednesday, March 21st, the European Parliament and the Council published a comparative methodology framework for calculating cost-optimal levels of minimum energy performance requirements for buildings and building elements. The publication sets a deadline of one year from March 21st for member states to submit their first report on cost optimality concerning all input data … Continue reading Cost optimality
Renewable energy: Finnish, Greek and Polish legislation still not in line with EU rules
The Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) had to be implemented by member states by 5 December 2010. The transposition of EU legislation is a priority for the Commission, especially since unnecessary delays in implementing may jeopardise the achievement of the EU renewable energy objective for 2020. Finland, Greece, and Poland have not yet informed the Commission … Continue reading Renewable energy: Finnish, Greek and Polish legislation still not in line with EU rules
Good news . . . No news . . .
On March 10th, the Commission published a new regulation on ecodesign requirements for air conditioners and comfort fans (Commission Regulation (EU) No. 206/2012) that significantly raises the minimum energy performance standards of air conditioners. But one would never know it. The news has gone virtually unreported. There is one good report, though, on the Coolproducts … Continue reading Good news . . . No news . . .
Member State progress reports on the promotion and use of energy from renewable sources
According to Article 22 of the Renewable Energy Directive, by 31 December 2011, and every two years thereafter, each member state is required to submit a report to the Commission on progress in promoting and using energy from renewable sources. These reports are expected to describe the overall renewable energy policy developments in each member … Continue reading Member State progress reports on the promotion and use of energy from renewable sources
Energy savings targets revisited
Negotiators of the draft Energy Efficiency Directive have been struggling for months to settle on a strategy to achieve the 2020 energy savings target. The Commission, Council, Parliament and all stakeholders agree that the indicative 20% energy savings target will not be achieved with current policies and programmes. There have been debates about how to … Continue reading Energy savings targets revisited
Why is EU energy saving easier said than done?
This is an excellent question and answer article by Barbara Lewis of Reuter’s that was published on March 15th. The topic is one that anyone working in energy efficiency in Europe has struggled with endlessly. Q&A – Why is EU energy saving easier said than done? (Reuters) - A draft European Union law on energy … Continue reading Why is EU energy saving easier said than done?
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 