By HDK / Published on Tue, 2009-08-18 16:20
The regional government of Upper Austria made a commitment to increase energy efficiency in public buildings by 1.5 % per year. This target is part of the Upper Austrian energy efficiency strategy which includes a number of measures to support different target groups in implementing energy efficiency measures. The O.Ö. Energiesparverband, the energy agency of Upper Austria, is responsible for the implementation of most of the measures included in the energy efficiency strategy.
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By HDK / Published on Mon, 2009-06-08 07:32
While the commercial and domestic building sectors account for 33 % of all energy-related CO2 emissions worldwide, approximately 30 % of this energy consumption can be saved economically. However, numerous barriers such as hidden costs and benefits, distorted energy pricing, imperfect information, market failures and misplaced incentives prevent the realization of these energy saving potentials. For this reason, countries apply a variety of policy instruments such as building codes, energy efficiency obligations, subsidies and information campaigns.
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By HDK / Published on Mon, 2009-06-08 07:28
In Denmark, government institutions are subject to a circular (CIR no. 27 of 19 April 2005) to improve energy performance of buildings and enhance energy efficient behaviour, including purchase of goods and appliances. A dialogue between the governmental energy authorities, municipalities and regions has been initiated aiming at extending the regulation to all public institutions.
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By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Wed, 2009-03-04 01:00
Lukas Kranzl, Energy Economics Group, Vienna University of Technology,Austria
Anselm Brakhage, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research, Germany
Pedro Gürtler, Association for the Conservation of Energy, UK
Jacky Pett, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, UEA, UK
Mario Ragwitz, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research, Germany
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By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Tue, 2009-02-10 17:46
Bogdan Atanasiu, European Commission DG-JRC, Ispra, Italy
Paolo Bertoldi, European Commission DG-JRC, Ispra, Italy
Silvia Rezessy, Central European University, Hungary
Anibal de Almeida, University of Coimbra, Portugal
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By Bruno De Wachter / Published on Tue, 2009-01-06 06:30
Looking at the sunny or at the shady side?
The year 2008 was a wild ride for energy. Oil prices and the global economy were turbulent throughout the year. The sustainable energy market kept on growing, albeit at a much slower rate of growth in the final six months of the year. For many aspects of the past year, we have to wait and see how 2009 evolves before being able to judge the significance of 2008.
The following are 10 topics and trends of the energy year 2008:
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The financial crisis affecting the sustainable energy market - or not?
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High oil price volatility
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Energy efficiency a high priority for the EU
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The first implementation of the eco-design directive measures
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Mandatory energy labels for buildings established in several EU countries
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Wind turbines keep on growing in size and efficiency
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After bulk wind power, there is also bulk solar power
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Asia keeps growing fast in renewables
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Reality dawns for large-scale integration of renewables
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Microgrids are being intensively studied and tested
We invite you to take our survey and vote / comment on these trends.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Mon, 2009-01-05 10:00
Year 2004
Policy Status In force
Between 1995 and 2004, 50 regions of the Russian Federation implemented their own
building codes in accordance with
federal building standards.
Some local enforcement agencies offered incentives for exemplary performance, others mandated auditing. Regions established their own requirements for calculating a building's energy consumption and compliance with local code.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Mon, 2009-01-05 10:00
Year 2003
Policy Status In force
To complement the SNiP Thermal Performance of Buildings SNiP, Russia's federal authority published a technical manual "The Federal code of practice", to guide architects, builders and contractors in the design of structures in compliance with efficiency regulations.
More info here.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Tue, 2008-12-30 10:00
Year: 2007
Policy Status: In force
In 1995, the government created a scheme to' kick start' residential energy efficiency activities. The EnergyWise home scheme, as it is now known, is administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. It operates within a wider objective to retrofit all pre-1977 homes with a suite of cost effective energy efficiency measures.
The scheme is focused on improving insulation in low income households. Core measures funded include ceiling and underfloor insulation, weather stripping external doors, and may also include hot water cylinder wraps, energy efficient light bulbs, energy efficient shower heads.
Grant funding is allocated by either competitive tender or via strategic partnerships with other project sponsors. Programme funding is designed to complement additional funding from other organisations such as energy retailers and district health boards.
In June 2007, the New Zealand government announced a new package of measures in relation to this scheme, including increased funding to new and existing government programmes such as the solar water heating programme, home insulation and clean heating retrofit programmes and a review of the Building Code.
The main elements of the package are:
- an interest-free loans scheme to help homeowners pay for energy efficiency and clean heating upgrades
- the trial and implementation of a Home Energy Rating Scheme, a tool to measure the energy efficiency of a house and provide this information to home buyers
- funding to maintain the current rate of 12,000 annual energy efficiency retrofits for low-income households under the EnergyWise Home Grants programme
- funding for increased research on energy efficient technologies, partnering with industry to promote these technologies and develop new funding mechanisms, providing support for councils to implement the new Building Code and promote energy efficiency to households
- an information campaign to provide customers with clear, practical advice on actions they can take to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and the benefits of doing so.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Sat, 2008-12-27 10:00
Year: 2007
Policy Status: Ended
In October 2007, the
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) established a scheme to meet up to
55% of the cost of insulation upgrades. The scheme covers ceiling and underfloor insulation, hot water cylinder wraps, pipe lagging, low flow showerheads and draught proofing in pre-1978 homes occupied by low-income tenants.
In 2006, the EECA introduced a similar rental offer to landlords in which landlords had to be a member of the New Zealand Property Investors' Federation. The 2007 scheme was opened to all applicants, providing tenants are eligible for a community services card and the property was built before 1978.
As of October 2007, over
35,000 homes had been retrofitted since the installation of energy efficient measures began through EECA programmes in 1995.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Sun, 2008-12-07 10:00
Year: 2006
Policy Status: In force
The Japanese government adopted the "Basic Program for Housing" on 19 September 2006, planning to improve housing standards over the next 10 years. The plan was presented by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on 28 June 2006 based on the current Basic Act for Housing, which has been in effect since 8 June 2006.
The Ministry has clear targets for housing by 2015. Building efficiency figures in two of the four target areas:
- 40 percent of housing should have energy saving measures, for example double-paned windows (18% as of 2003);
- to increase the life span of housing to about 40 years (about 30 years as of 2003).
By regularly analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of the project using target assessment indicators, the Ministry intends to reappraise and modify the plan in five years based on the effectiveness of these measures and changes in social conditions.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Thu, 2008-11-13 10:00
Year 2007
Policy Status In force
The
Energy Conservation Act of 2001 mandated the creation of the
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), established in March 2002. The BEE was mandated with establishing an Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC). A National building code was developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards, and last revised in 2005, however it does not specifically address energy efficiency issues, though it promotes the use of new and innovative technologies and methods.
The ECBC was developed in 2006 and issued May 2007. It has been developed to account for five different climatic zones, particularly for envelope component requirements. It is not mandatory the first three years, and will become so in 2010, to allow the necessary implementation capacity to be developed. The code will be mandatory for all
new buildings (commercial buildings or complexes) with a connected load of
500kW or more, or a contract demand of
600 kVA or greater. It will also apply to buildings with a conditioned floor space of 1 000m2 or greater.
The code sets
minimum requirements for building envelope c
omponents, lighting, HVAC, electrical system, water heating and pumping systems. There would be three ways of being compliant with the ECBC. First, through a prescriptive approach, i.e. all minimum standards for separate components must be met. Second, the envelope and lighting system would be assessed through a systems performance criteria, while other components would have to meet the minimum requirements. Third, setting the whole building target energy use and trading off between systems (Energy cost budget method).
State and municipal governments must implement the code, while state governments are allowed to modify the code if necessary to account for local climatic conditions. In February 2008 an ECBC tip sheet and Technology atlas were distributed to developers, architects, engineers and other building energy efficiency professionals.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Fri, 2008-11-07 10:00
Year: 2007
Policy Status: In force
ecoENERGY for Buildings and Houses has four (4) objectives:
- Promoting more energy efficient, environmentally-responsible new and retrofitted buildings and housing. This will result in a growing market for energy efficient buildings and housing, renovation and technology that will contribute to reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and the greater use of renewable energy.
- Work with all levels of government to support the development of a more stringent Model National Energy Code for Building and Houses (MNECB and MNECH), and/or other regulatory instruments, to encourage their adoption and implementation by the authorities having jurisdiction (provinces and territories), and/or support provinces and territories in the adoption and implementation of mandatory energy efficiency requirements for all new housing using the EnerGuide for Houses rating tool. The objective would be for new houses and building to be designed and built to be 25% more energy efficient than current practices by 2011.
- Continue development and support of the EnerGuide for Houses energy rating and labelling system for new and existing houses and develop and introduce a voluntary energy labelling system for new and existing buildings.
- Provide information and training on energy efficient practices and technologies such as energy design, energy audit tools, and energy management and measures to building professionals, builders, engineers, architects and officials so that they can improve the energy performance of buildings and houses and prepare the marketplace for the adoption of more stringent codes.
EcoENERGY for Buildings and Houses is aimed at houses and buildings (schools, hospitals, retail, hotels, offices, etc). Activities require the engagement of outside technical experts and cost-shared collaboration with provinces and other partners. Thus, the majority of activities are conducted externally. Partnerships and collaborations will be established to extend federal reach and increase effectiveness.
Energy savings are anticipated to be 17.1 to 19.0 Petajoules in 2010-11.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Sat, 2008-11-01 10:00
Year: 2007
Policy Status: In force
The
ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes encourages the existing low-rise housing sector in Canada to become more energy efficient, reduce emissions produced through energy use and contribute to clean air, water and energy and a healthy environment for Canadians. The programme will provide property owners with the
information they need to make good
home energy retrofit decisions and will reward energy and water saving measures with a grant. Funding is sufficient to provide 140,000 homes with an average CAD 1070 grant.
Demand for more comprehensive retrofits will result in fewer houses covered and higher average grants (up to the CAD 5000 maximum). Similarly, Canadian homeowners may plan on less comprehensive retrofits and therefore more houses would be covered by the initiative at a lower average grant level. In any case, the forecast energy savings and emissions reductions would be equivalent. This initiative builds upon the core services related tothe energy rating tool, technical support and quality assurance provided by the ecoENERGY for Buildings and Houses initiative, which is covered by a separate Treasury Board submission.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Thu, 2008-10-30 10:00
Year: 2007
Policy Status: In force
Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency offers the
ecoENERGY Retrofit Incentive for Buildings, the commercial/institutional component of the ecoENERGY Retrofit financial incentives for existing homes, buildings and industrial processes. This programme targets owners of
small and medium-sized buildings in the commercial and institutional sectors, who often lack the financial and technical resources to make energy improvements.
Programme participants could receive
CDN 10 per gigajoule (GJ) of estimated energy savings or 25 percent of eligible project costs. When applying, participants will need to provide a pre-project
energy audit of the buildings. As well, participants cannot incur any costs related to the project until they receive a signed Contribution Agreement from the Government of Canada.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Thu, 2008-10-23 09:00
Year: 2006
Policy Status: In force
Within its 11th Five-Year Period, China plans to reduce residential and public buildings' energy consumption by 50%, saving 50 million tons of standard coal. The federal plan for energy conservation in buildings formally mandates:
- the quick technical reform of heat-supply systems nation-wide
- renewed efforts to promoting building energy efficiency technology and related products
- renovation of existing buildings in the nation's cold northern regions, with particular focus on hotels.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Thu, 2008-10-16 09:00
Year: 2006
Policy Status: Superseded
The
EnerGuide for Existing Buildings provides
Energy Retrofit Assistance (ERA-I) funding for retrofit implementation projects, offering grants for costs related to management, materials, labour, monitoring and tracking, staff training, awareness and for other retrofit implementation projects in buildings. Measures for
efficient lighting, the building envelope,
motors, controls, heating, ventilating,
air conditioning and other energy-saving projects may be eligible for grants.
Grant beneficiaries can receive up to
$7.50 per gigajoule (1 GJ = 277.8 equivalent kilowatt hours) of annual energy savings or up to 25 percent of eligible costs to a maximum of $250,000.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Wed, 2008-09-24 09:00
Year: 2006
Policy Status: In force
Revised on 1 May 2006,
Building Code Australia (BCA) includes new
Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for all classes of buildings. Australia revised the BCA to account for energy efficiency as part of its strategic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. To complement passage of the revised MEPS, Australian governments agreed to implement a consistent Nation-wide
House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) to enable householders to assess energy efficiency of houses and make more informed choices about housing purchases and renovation.
The
5-star efficiency rating scheme followed the 2001 Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR) scheme that provided accredited assessments of the greenhouse intensity of office buildings by awarding a star rating on a scale of one to five.
From 1 May 2006, minimum energy performance standards increased to 5 Star Rating. Since the BCA is a performance based Code, builders and designers have the option of meeting these new standards in one of two ways: by following the 'deemed to satisfy'
prescriptions in the Code; or by achieving the required house energy performance rating using an accredited
software tool.
As announced by the federal and territorial governments,
all new residential buildings would meet a
five star energy rating from May 2006. The Australian Capital Territory Government also required disclosure of the NatHERS rating during the sale or lease of each house.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Mon, 2008-09-22 09:00
Year: 2006
Policy Status: In force
The Voluntary Building Industry Initiatives Programme of the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) assists the building industry in ensuring the energy-efficient practice of building and construction professionals.
Projects developed with the support of the Australian Government include:
- WERS - Window Energy Rating Scheme
- EDG - Environmental Design Guides
- BDAA - Marketing Sustainable Design Workshops
- BDP - Making Energy Pay
- HIA - Greensmart Professional Accreditation Course
- MBA - Energy Wise-Dollar Wise Training Course
- Lighting Best Practice Project
- WELS - Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Wed, 2008-09-17 09:00
Year: 2006
Policy Status: In force
Upon its publication in the EU Official Journal on 4 January 2003, the EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) became official EU law.
The Directive's principal objectives are:
- To promote the improvement of the energy performance of buildings within the EU through cost effective measures;
- To promote the convergence of building standards towards those of Member States which already have ambitious levels.
Measures include:
- Methodology for calculating the energy performance of buildings;
- Application of performance standards on new and existing buildings;
- Certification schemes for all buildings;
- Regular inspection and assessment of boilers/heating and cooling installations.
Sweden's National Programme for Energy Efficiency and Energy-smart Construction (Govt Bill 2005/06:145) proposes an Energy Declaration of Buildings Act to harmonise domestic legislation with the EPBD. Under Swedish legislation,
buildings will be subject to inspections, and certain information about a building’s energy use and indoor environment will be certified in an energy declaration when buildings are constructed, sold or rented out.
The building owner will be able to reduce the costs of energy use through the measures proposed in the energy declaration.
The Act aims to promote energy efficiency and a good indoor environment in buildings. Under the proposal, the Act will come into force on 1 October 2006. Under proposed transitional provisions, energy declarations for premises used for public activities (known as special buildings) and multi-dwelling buildings (apartment blocks) must be carried out by the end of 2008. Energy declaration of other buildings will begin on 1 January 2009.
Support for purchase of energy-efficient windows and biomass boilers is set at 30% of the cost exceeding Skr 10 000; support capped at Skr 15 000.
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