Ecodesign

Not all renewable power systems are sustainable

Some renewable energy systems rely on scarce resources

In the quest for alternatives to fossil fuels, renewable energy systems are being rapidly developed across a wide spectrum. However, the fact that these new systems replace depletable fossil fuels with renewable sources is in itself not a guarantee of high sustainability. The article 'Why sustainable power is unsustainable' in New Scientist draws attention to this often under-appreciated fact. In our growing focus on energy and climate change, we have a tendency to applaud every renewable energy technology that is being developed and without considering its other sustainability aspects.

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Energy Efficient Distribution Transformers

The second policy briefing brochure in the series looks at distribution transformers.

Electricity distribution losses vary from 4% to more than 20%. The adoption of efficient Distribution Transformers could save Europe about 18.5 TWh per year, equivalent to about 7 million tCO2/year.

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An Electricity-focused Economic Input-output Model: LCA and Policy Implications of Future Electricity Generation

This PhD Thesis Report is courtesy of Joseph Michael Marriott, Carnegie Mellon University

The electricity industry is extremely important to both our economy and our environment: we would like to examine the economic, environmental and policy implications of both future electricity technologies and the interaction of this industry with the rest of the economy. However, the tools which currently exist to analyse the potential impacts are either too complex or too aggregated to provide this type of information.

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Energy Efficient Motor Systems

Leonardo ENERGY opens here a new series of policy briefing brochures with a sharp look to pertinent topics on the European energy agenda aiming at providing its users instruments to interpret these issues and have an objective opinion on them!

Motor Driven Systems account for about 50% of electricity consumed in Europe and represent a major potential for energy savings!

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€16,000 fine for using accumulation heating

Is this fine by the Flemish government appropriate?

As of January 2009, all new residential houses in Flanders must be audited by the Flemish Energy Agency (VEA). This is to ensure that energy use is kept within appropriate limits. Houses are rated according to their so-called E-level, which must be less than 100 to receive approval.

Minimum Efficiency Performance Standards (MEPS) like this can be a very effective tool for reaching carbon emission reductions. However, the way in which MEPS are established is crucial if they are to reach their goal in the medium and long term. A Flanders case clearly demonstrates how this idea can take a wrong turn.

Recently, the VEA (note - VEA = the Flemish Energy Agency) fined a couple in the small Flemish town of Kuurne €16,000 for having built a house with an E-level of no less than 175. The insulation of the house is according to modern practice. The main cause for the high E-level appears to be the electric accumulation heating. This is a strange conclusion, and raises questions about proportionality that merit further investigation.

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