By HDK / Published on Thu, 2009-06-04 08:30
In less than five years Energy Performance Contracting has conquered at least 5 % (<4 million m2 of ~80 million m2) of the public building stock in Sweden and the number of contracts is rapidly increasing. The paper analyses the strategy that has led to this dynamic development.
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By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Fri, 2009-04-10 13:55
Lotta Bångens, Föreningen Sveriges Energirådgivare, Sweden
In December 2005, the Swedish Government appointed a commission to draw up a programme to reduce Sweden’s dependence on oil. The main reason for this was the climate change. Other reasons were the effect of oil prices on Sweden’s growth and employment and the fact that oil still plays a major role for peace and security throughout the world.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Thu, 2008-09-18 09:00
Year: 2006
Policy Status: In force
The
final report of a national commission set up in 2005 "to present a concrete strategy to break Sweden's dependence on oil by 2020" outlines measures aimed at securing long-term energy supply, reducing climate impact and making better use of energy resources from forestry and agriculture.
Targets proposed by the
Commission on Oil Independence include improvements in overall energy efficiency of at least 20%, 40-50% cuts in the use of petrol and diesel in road transport, 25-40% less oil in industry, and a complete phase-out of oil used in the heating of residential and commercial buildings.
The commission also calls for pilot and demonstration plants to start production of "second generation biofuels" such as synthetic gas fuels, forest-based ethanol and biogas from the bio-based raw materials.
Promotion of vehicles running on alternative fuels would continue in part through public procurement requirements, with the aim of making Swedish cars on average 25-50% more efficient by 2020.
To meet the Commission's strategic targets, fuel efficiency should be included as a factor in environmental
classification of cars and consideration should be given to introducing an energy-labelling system. A special centre for energy efficiency should also be established.
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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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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Tue, 2008-09-16 09:00
Year: 2006
Policy Status: Planned
The
Swedish Energy Agency, together with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning, and the Swedish Consumer Agency lunched an energy efficiency campaign at the end of 2006. The campaign demonstrated technical solutions that improve daily energy efficiency of Sweden's residences.
The campaign provided information about the coming energy declarations and address both individual homeowners and owners of multi-dwelling buildings and premises as well as other relevant key players. The campaign expired in 2007.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Tue, 2008-08-19 09:00
Year: 2008
Policy Status: In force
According to Article 14(2) of the European End-use efficiency and Energy Services Directive, Member States are to submit their first National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) to the Commission by June 30, 2007.
In their NEEAPs, Member States must show how they intend to reach the 9% indicative energy savings target by 2016.
Sweden elaborated its
NEEAP in 2008, describing the energy efficiency improvement measures aimed at achieving the savings targets set out in Article 4(1) of the Directive. The Plan also describes how Sweden will comply with the provisions on the exemplary role of the public sector and the provision of information and advice to final consumers.
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By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Sat, 2006-12-16 01:48
Currently there are already a couple of thousand passive houses across the Europe, especially in Germany (more than 3500), Austria (more than 1000), Switzerland and Sweden. However, not only houses are built, but also blocks of flats, offices, schools, old people's homes, …and there are much more projects in preparation according to these principles.
Source: Passiefhuis - Platform
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By Hans Nilsson / Published on Thu, 2006-06-29 08:22
One of the most well covered experiments in transportation is probably the test with congestion charges in Stockholm. The idea is basically the same as in London but somewhat differently executed. The trial period is very short (6 months) which will be followed by a referendum in September among the citizens of Stockholm.
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By Hans Nilsson / Published on Wed, 2006-06-28 22:04
The Swedish prime-minister has called a special commission to outline how Sweden should significantly reduce its dependence on oil. The ambition is that up till 2020:
- Road transport should reduce the use by 40-50%
- Heating of buildings should be oil-free
- Industry should reduce it’s use by 25-40%
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By HDK / Published on Sat, 2006-06-10 05:14
Some regions in the world have the potential to fully cover their prospective energy demand through energy crop production at a cost below 4 US$/GJ (1.4 c/kWh). Canada, the former USSR and Oceania even have the possilibity to grow more than needed for their domestic energy demand. A global trade in bioenergy is likely to develop, equivalent to 80-150 EJ.
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By Hans Nilsson / Published on Thu, 2006-06-08 05:47
As seen on this site there seems to be a connection between Human Development and electrification - up to a point, and 4000 kWh seems to be just enough. This "limit" is also compatible with the idea of a society with 2000W per capita as advocated by CEPE and Eberhard Jochem. It must, however, be remembered that several countries have developed their economies, during decades, based on their access to low-cost and abundant hydro power.
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By HDK / Published on Wed, 2005-11-16 13:12
Over the past 3 years, the number of heat pumps sold in Sweden has almost doubled. Outside district heating areas, heat pumps have become the standard solution for private homes. Every second heat pump in Europe - not including air-to-air systems, is installed in Sweden. In 2004, almost 70,000 new heat pumps have been installed. Often, the system selected is a ground-source heat pump. Typical depth of the bore hole is 100-150 m.
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