P4
By Lars Gullev, Managing Director VEKS and Editor of Hot Cool THE COLUMN
EU'S WINTER PACKAGE SHOWS THE WAY TO MORE RENEWABLE ENERGY
In Denmark, renewable energy accounts for more than half of the district heating production, and the increased adaptation of solar heat and biomass means that the share is increasing. One can hope that this success will be reflected in the EU Commission's initiatives, where a number of other countries are already today looking towards Denmark for inspiration on the best way to convert their renewables energy sector. In this version of Hot Cool, we learn how Udo Wichert (AGFW, Germany), Morten Helveg (Member of the European Parliament), Kim Mortensen (Danish District Heating Association), Birger Lauersen (Euroheat & Power) Susana Paardekooper, Brian Vad Mathiesen, and Lars Grundahl, (Aalborg University) each looks at the consequences of the Winter Package for the further development of district heating and cooling. All in all, the Winter Package is a huge opportunity to increase the share of district heating throughout EU. No other technology can integrate renewable energy as cost-effectively as district heating.
On 30 November 2016, the EU Commission presented its "Winter Package", which contains a number of initiatives that affect the entire European energy sector. The Winter Package is part of the implementation of the Energy Union, and it is expected that the Winter Package will mean a revision of the RE directive and that there will be specific recommendations on how the EU Commission will meet the Union's target of 27% renewable energy in 2030.
Among the main elements of the Winter Package, the following can be mentioned:
• EU's goal of using energy more efficiently is raised from 27% to 30% by 2030 in terms of consumption in 2007. • In order to reach the 27% renewable energy target by 2030, countries must draw up action plans. New requirements are also proposed for the share of renewable energy in district heating and transport. • TheWinter Package is estimated to be able to create 900,000 jobs by 2030 and trigger growth and investment of more than 190 billion Euro. EU's total GDP is expected to grow up to 1%. • Buildings account for 40% of EU's total energy consumption. A revised building directive will be an important part of cutting consumption and the CO2 emissions of houses. • A revised Renewable Energy Directive must reduce EU's dependence on imported fuels. This will also help make EU a global leader in climate-friendly energy.
We would like to wish all readers of Hot Cool a well-deserved summer holiday – enjoy reading!
E N E R G Y A N D E N V I R O N M E N T
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker