This document summarizes a study on the role of civil society in renewable energy generation in the EU. The study found:
1) Civil society is eager to benefit from decentralized renewable energy production but faces barriers like complex regulations favoring large producers.
2) There is potential for civic renewable energy to promote community development, jobs, and address energy poverty that remains largely untapped due to a lack of support policies.
3) Stable policy frameworks, transparent decision making, and support schemes adapted for small producers are needed to unlock civic energy's potential and create a level playing field in renewable energy.
This report analyzes 16 INTERREG IVC projects focused on sustainable transport. It identifies common challenges faced in promoting sustainable transport and organizes over 500 good practices from the projects into 9 topics: land use planning, regional transport authorities, financing public transport, encouraging public transport use, mobility management, intelligent transport systems, accessible transport, low emission transport, and awareness campaigns. The report provides recommendations to policymakers on integrating transport and land use planning, strengthening regional cooperation, and promoting new shared transport options and technologies. It concludes that INTERREG IVC projects have effectively identified and transferred good practices that can improve regional sustainable transport policies across Europe.
EESC position paper on the international climate negotiationsNuno Quental
The document discusses key issues and recommendations for the 2015 international climate agreement in Paris. It calls for a binding agreement that includes concrete greenhouse gas reduction commitments from all countries. It emphasizes establishing a global carbon market and phasing out fossil fuel subsidies. It also stresses the need to accelerate renewable energy development, particularly decentralized community renewable projects. Finally, it highlights the importance of strengthening climate adaptation efforts, particularly for vulnerable regions, and establishing a transparent system for measuring and verifying climate action commitments.
EESC Position paper on the 2030 framework for climate and energy policiesNuno Quental
The document summarizes key opinions from the European Economic and Social Committee on the European Union's 2030 climate and energy policy framework. It calls for setting binding national renewable energy targets to help achieve the EU-wide targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% and producing 27% of energy from renewable sources by 2030. It also recommends defining sector-specific energy efficiency targets and establishing a European Energy Community and governance system to coordinate energy policies across member states through a transparent stakeholder dialogue process. This would help deliver the targets of the 2030 framework at lowest cost while ensuring civil society involvement and support for the large-scale energy transition needed.
Naturbanization and sustainability in the National Park of Peneda-GerêsNuno Quental
This document discusses naturbanization and sustainability at Peneda-Gerês National Park in Portugal. It introduces concepts of counterurbanization, periurbanization, and suburbanization to analyze population dynamics and urbanization trends in rural areas near the park over the last 15 years. Two municipalities within the park were studied to provide a deeper understanding of development patterns and motivations for living in the park area. The study found some evidence of naturbanization and counterurbanization processes occurring. The impacts of naturbanization seem to depend on regional disparities and the specific territory in question. Policies and strategies are discussed to help manage these trends and ensure sustainability.
MEDiterranean DEvelopment of Support schemes for solar Initiatives and Renewable Energies
Sviluppato nell’ambito del Programma di Cooperazione Territoriale Europea CBC Enpi - Bacino del Mediterraneo, il progetto mira a diffondere l’efficienza energetica e, in particolar modo, l’energia solare in tutta l’area del Mediterraneo, attraverso lo studio di piani di finanziamento innovativi e di strumenti d’incentivazione del mercato.
Target specifici di MED-DESIRE sono le amministrazioni centrali e locali, istituzioni e agenzie dei paesi partner, le piccole e medie imprese locali, tecnici e professionisti, gli istituti finanziari, le associazioni imprenditoriali e i distretti industriali. I beneficiari finali, che potranno usufruire dell’impatto a lungo termine del progetto, sono le comunità locali, i consumatori di energia e i centri di ricerca e le università.
Avviato nel febbraio 2013, MED- DESIRE ha una durata di 35 mesi (fino a dicembre 2015).
Cost effectiveness of cohesion policy investments in energy efficiencyMARIE Project
This document summarizes a report by the European Court of Auditors on the cost-effectiveness of Cohesion Policy investments in energy efficiency. The Court assessed whether such investments were cost-effective in three EU countries. It found that the programming and financing of the investments did not enable cost-effective projects because needs assessments were inadequate, cost-effectiveness was not a key factor, and monitoring indicators were inappropriate. It also found that energy efficiency projects in public buildings were not cost-effective, as their main objective was refurbishment rather than energy savings, energy audits were sometimes lacking, and the investments had an average payback period of around 50 years, which is too long.
The resolution addresses the issue of increasing household debt and financial illiteracy in Europe. It recommends several measures to support the already over-indebted, prevent future over-indebtedness through informal education, improve formal financial education, and establish institutional oversight. Key recommendations include improving debt support services, expanding financial education programs targeted at vulnerable groups, mandating financial education in schools with a practical focus, and designating an expert group to monitor progress in the field.
The document summarizes the opening speech given at the First Implementing Agreement Day in Belgium. The speech discusses (1) the IEA's Implementing Agreements that enable countries and organizations to collaborate on energy technology research, (2) Belgium's participation in Implementing Agreements and opportunities for improvement, and (3) upcoming Belgian government initiatives focusing on energy policy, electricity and gas laws, generation capacity planning, renewable energy targets, and electric vehicles.
This report analyzes 16 INTERREG IVC projects focused on sustainable transport. It identifies common challenges faced in promoting sustainable transport and organizes over 500 good practices from the projects into 9 topics: land use planning, regional transport authorities, financing public transport, encouraging public transport use, mobility management, intelligent transport systems, accessible transport, low emission transport, and awareness campaigns. The report provides recommendations to policymakers on integrating transport and land use planning, strengthening regional cooperation, and promoting new shared transport options and technologies. It concludes that INTERREG IVC projects have effectively identified and transferred good practices that can improve regional sustainable transport policies across Europe.
EESC position paper on the international climate negotiationsNuno Quental
The document discusses key issues and recommendations for the 2015 international climate agreement in Paris. It calls for a binding agreement that includes concrete greenhouse gas reduction commitments from all countries. It emphasizes establishing a global carbon market and phasing out fossil fuel subsidies. It also stresses the need to accelerate renewable energy development, particularly decentralized community renewable projects. Finally, it highlights the importance of strengthening climate adaptation efforts, particularly for vulnerable regions, and establishing a transparent system for measuring and verifying climate action commitments.
EESC Position paper on the 2030 framework for climate and energy policiesNuno Quental
The document summarizes key opinions from the European Economic and Social Committee on the European Union's 2030 climate and energy policy framework. It calls for setting binding national renewable energy targets to help achieve the EU-wide targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% and producing 27% of energy from renewable sources by 2030. It also recommends defining sector-specific energy efficiency targets and establishing a European Energy Community and governance system to coordinate energy policies across member states through a transparent stakeholder dialogue process. This would help deliver the targets of the 2030 framework at lowest cost while ensuring civil society involvement and support for the large-scale energy transition needed.
Naturbanization and sustainability in the National Park of Peneda-GerêsNuno Quental
This document discusses naturbanization and sustainability at Peneda-Gerês National Park in Portugal. It introduces concepts of counterurbanization, periurbanization, and suburbanization to analyze population dynamics and urbanization trends in rural areas near the park over the last 15 years. Two municipalities within the park were studied to provide a deeper understanding of development patterns and motivations for living in the park area. The study found some evidence of naturbanization and counterurbanization processes occurring. The impacts of naturbanization seem to depend on regional disparities and the specific territory in question. Policies and strategies are discussed to help manage these trends and ensure sustainability.
MEDiterranean DEvelopment of Support schemes for solar Initiatives and Renewable Energies
Sviluppato nell’ambito del Programma di Cooperazione Territoriale Europea CBC Enpi - Bacino del Mediterraneo, il progetto mira a diffondere l’efficienza energetica e, in particolar modo, l’energia solare in tutta l’area del Mediterraneo, attraverso lo studio di piani di finanziamento innovativi e di strumenti d’incentivazione del mercato.
Target specifici di MED-DESIRE sono le amministrazioni centrali e locali, istituzioni e agenzie dei paesi partner, le piccole e medie imprese locali, tecnici e professionisti, gli istituti finanziari, le associazioni imprenditoriali e i distretti industriali. I beneficiari finali, che potranno usufruire dell’impatto a lungo termine del progetto, sono le comunità locali, i consumatori di energia e i centri di ricerca e le università.
Avviato nel febbraio 2013, MED- DESIRE ha una durata di 35 mesi (fino a dicembre 2015).
Cost effectiveness of cohesion policy investments in energy efficiencyMARIE Project
This document summarizes a report by the European Court of Auditors on the cost-effectiveness of Cohesion Policy investments in energy efficiency. The Court assessed whether such investments were cost-effective in three EU countries. It found that the programming and financing of the investments did not enable cost-effective projects because needs assessments were inadequate, cost-effectiveness was not a key factor, and monitoring indicators were inappropriate. It also found that energy efficiency projects in public buildings were not cost-effective, as their main objective was refurbishment rather than energy savings, energy audits were sometimes lacking, and the investments had an average payback period of around 50 years, which is too long.
The resolution addresses the issue of increasing household debt and financial illiteracy in Europe. It recommends several measures to support the already over-indebted, prevent future over-indebtedness through informal education, improve formal financial education, and establish institutional oversight. Key recommendations include improving debt support services, expanding financial education programs targeted at vulnerable groups, mandating financial education in schools with a practical focus, and designating an expert group to monitor progress in the field.
The document summarizes the opening speech given at the First Implementing Agreement Day in Belgium. The speech discusses (1) the IEA's Implementing Agreements that enable countries and organizations to collaborate on energy technology research, (2) Belgium's participation in Implementing Agreements and opportunities for improvement, and (3) upcoming Belgian government initiatives focusing on energy policy, electricity and gas laws, generation capacity planning, renewable energy targets, and electric vehicles.
This document provides a policy paper on improving energy efficiency in buildings in the Mediterranean region. It summarizes the current state of energy efficiency in buildings, identifies key barriers, and provides strategic recommendations. The paper was produced by combining research and analysis from three MED transnational cooperation projects: MARIE, ELIH-MED, and PROFORBIOMED. It finds that while progress has been made, many countries are still far from EU 2020 targets. Barriers include lack of funding, skills, and coordination. The paper recommends strengthening governance, promoting green jobs, activating the renovation market, and using smart energy management. It calls for better coordination between EU programs and proposes a macro-regional Mediterranean strategy to improve energy efficiency in buildings across
This presentation covers the thematic framework of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021-2027, which was approved by the Joint Programming Committee in December 2020. The Programme document is still subject to approval by all Programme countries and the European Commission.
Ljubljana declaration 23102013_en_signaturesAniela2
The document discusses challenges regarding energy efficiency and renewable energy in Mediterranean buildings. It notes that the Mediterranean area is lagging in moving towards nearly-zero energy buildings by 2020. It also faces specific barriers like traditional low emphasis on insulation and ageing building stock. However, investing in low-carbon transition for buildings can boost jobs and living standards. The ELIH-MED, MARIE and PROFORBIOMED projects show how EU support can encourage this transition. Representatives from these projects call for a new governance model and strategies to improve energy efficiency in Mediterranean buildings.
This document discusses the BETTER project, which aims to bring Europe and third countries closer together through renewable energies. It presents the objectives of assessing cooperation between the EU and third countries to help achieve renewable energy targets. Case studies will examine renewable energy cooperation opportunities between the EU, North Africa, Western Balkans and Turkey. The document outlines different cooperation mechanisms defined in the EU Renewable Energy Directive and provides an example case study of a joint hydroelectric project between Serbia and Italy. It also summarizes renewable energy potentials, targets and scenarios for several Western Balkan countries.
Energy Sufficiency Indicators and Policies (Lea Gynther, Motiva)Leonardo ENERGY
This policy brief looks at questions ‘how to measure energy sufficiency’, ‘which policies and measures can be used to address energy sufficiency’ and ‘how they are used in Europe today’.
Energy sufficiency refers to a situation where everyone has access to the energy services they need, whilst the impacts of the energy system do not exceed environmental limits. The level of ambition needed to address energy sufficiency is higher than in the case of energy efficiency.
This is the 13th edition of the Odyssee-Mure on Energy Efficiency Academy, and number 519 in the Leonardo ENERGY series. The recording of the live presentation can be found on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEAdYbI0wDI&list=PLUFRNkTrB5O_V155aGXfZ4b3R0fvT7sKz
Energy efficiency trends in the EU: Have we got off track?Diedert Debusscher
What has been the overall trend in final energy consumption and by sector in the EU since 2000? What are the main drivers of the energy consumption variation since 2000, and what has been the impact of energy savings? What are the trends in energy efficiency at the country level?
These are the key questions that will guide you through this webinar analysing energy efficiency trends in the EU for the period 2000-2019.
This presentation deck was used during the 9th webinar in the Odyssee-Mure on Energy Efficiency Academy on 25 June 2020. Recordings are available on https://www.youtube.com/user/LeonardoENERGY/videos?view=0&sort=dd&flow=grid
The webinar is an approximately 45 min presentation, followed by a live Q&A session with the panellists.
Following the recent enactment of the long-awaited draft Law 2010-d into Law 514-VIII as of 4 June 2015 "On the Amendment of Certain Laws of Ukraine as Regards the Ensuring of Competitive Conditions for Energy Production from Alternative Sources", I've amended my presentation re bioenergy which was delivered in June 2015 during the EU Sustainable Energy Week. The presentation also accommodates some of our relevant credentials and accomplished projects for which we rendered legal support.
Energy and mobility poverty: Will the Social Climate Fund be enough to delive...Leonardo ENERGY
Prior to the current soaring energy prices across Europe, the European Commission proposed, as part of the FitFor55 climate and energy package, the EU Social Climate Fund to mitigate the expected social impact of extending the EU ETS to transport and heating.
The report presented in this webinar provides an update of the European Energy Poverty Index, published for the first time in 2019, which shows the combined effect of energy and mobility poverty across Member States. Beyond the regular update of the index, the report provides analysis of the existing EU policy framework related to energy and transport poverty. France is used as a case study given the “yellow vest” movement, which was triggered by the proposed carbon tax on fuels.
Watch the recordings of the webinar:
https://youtu.be/i1Jdd3H05t0
THE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMME
PRESENTED BY
ENGR.(MRS) BAHIJJAHTU ABUBAKAR
NATIONAL COORDINATOR
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMME (REP),
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
OF NIGERIA
The European Union imports over half of its gas and over three quarters of its oil, relying heavily on Russia and other countries. The EU established a unified energy policy in 2005 to promote secure, sustainable and competitive energy. Key goals include reducing greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2020 and 95% by 2050 from primary energy sources. Major challenges include improving energy efficiency, transitioning to renewable technologies, and ensuring security of supply from diverse sources.
Presentation Biomass Teush_June_2015_EU_Sustainable Energy Weeksveki
The presentation covers various aspects related to the use of renewable energy sources in Ukraine, and biomass in particular, with a particular focus on recent legal developments and further challenges and prospects for the industry.
Summary of Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) project-SMILEGOV
The IEE funded project Smarter Multi Level Governance (SMILEGOV) is examining the major barriers to creating a low carbon society on islands. It is bringing together the various stakeholders and the multilevels of governance required to achieve the EU target of 20% reduction in Carbon and 20% increase in renewable energies by the year 2020, ie less than 6 years from now. The crux of the project is to engage all stakeholders including islanders to agree to the Pact of Islands. The pact asks for commitment to examine and agree an island energy action plan within 12 months of signing the document.
Using the Pan European Island programme SMILEGOV, we are working with other islands as per the Pact of Islands. To date, Arainn Mhor is creating a story board, a platform to collaborate, creating a model that others can emulate by working together.
How auction design affects the financing of renewable energy projects Leonardo ENERGY
Recording available at https://youtu.be/lPT1o735kOk
Renewable energy auctions might affect the financing of renewable energy (RE) projects. This webinar presents the results of the AURES II project exploring this topic. It discusses how auction designs ranging from bid bonds to penalties and remuneration schemes impact financing and discusses creating a low-risk auction support framework.
The document discusses the European Union's energy policy from a functionalist theory perspective. It provides background on how the EU has legislated energy policy for years and formally approved a comprehensive EU energy policy in 2005. Key points covered include:
- The EU imports large amounts of energy each year, relying on single suppliers for gas which threatens its energy security.
- EU energy policy aims to increase cooperation through technical experts rather than politicians to reduce conflicts and foster interdependence between countries.
- Functional cooperation between states and international organizations can help solve energy problems and potentially lead to greater political integration over time through spill-over effects.
- The common EU energy strategy is a good example of how regional integration and spill-over can occur
Energy efficiency, structural change and energy savings in the manufacturing ...Leonardo ENERGY
- Structural changes in manufacturing have significantly reduced energy consumption in Denmark since 1990 through growth in lower intensity sectors like food production.
- Energy efficiency improvements also contributed, especially from 2010-2014, lowering consumption alongside structural changes.
- A decomposition analysis found that decreases in consumption from 2006-2014 were mainly from structural effects in the first half, and efficiency gains in the latter half.
- Reported energy savings from Denmark's energy efficiency obligation scheme align with estimated efficiency improvements, though some autonomous gains likely occurred too.
Transition from coal fire power generation to renewable energy for public.pptxSampe Purba
the global and national fact sheet shows, despite the campaign to renewable energy, the dependence on fossil based energy is the reality. Every country needs to make a comprehensive assessment in line to its national interest, without leaving the responsibility as global citizen sharing the same universe.
The Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) is a technical cooperation programme implemented by GIZ and funded by the German government to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and rural electrification in Nigeria over a 5-year period. NESP provides expertise to various Nigerian partner institutions and aims to improve conditions for renewable energy and energy efficiency investments. It has four components: policy reform and renewable energy; energy efficiency; rural electrification; and capacity development. NESP recently launched and has already provided recommendations on energy policy and institutional frameworks, as well as initiating baseline studies and a training needs assessment.
This document summarizes a presentation about the EU's energy policy and goals. It discusses how the EU pays billions annually to import energy and relies on single suppliers for gas. The EU's 20-20-20 goals aim to reduce greenhouse gas levels 20%, increase renewables to 20% of energy consumption, and lower energy use 20% by 2020. However, the EU is not on track to meet its energy savings target. New directives establish rules for energy efficiency and nearly zero-energy buildings. Achieving the EU's climate change goals will require large investments and for renewables to supply 55-75% of energy by 2050.
This presentation discusses the contribution of Energy Efficiency Funds to the financing of energy efficiency in Europe. The analysis is based on the MURE database on energy efficiency policies. As an example, the German Energy Efficiency Fund is described in more detail.
This is the 17th webinar in the Odyssee-Mure on Energy Efficiency Academy.
Recordings are available on: https://youtu.be/KIewOQCgQWQ
Las Creative Commons son un conjunto de licencias de derechos de autor que permiten a los creadores especificar cómo pueden usarse sus obras. Existen 6 tipos de licencias que combinan 4 elementos: reconocimiento, no comercial, sin obras derivadas y compartir por igual. Las licencias permiten la distribución y exhibición de obras con diferentes niveles de restricciones sobre el uso comercial y la creación de obras derivadas.
Este documento describe tres modelos de negocios de comercio electrónico: B2B, B2C y B2G. El modelo B2B se refiere al intercambio de productos y servicios entre empresas para reducir costos. El modelo B2C involucra la venta directa de productos y servicios de una empresa a consumidores individuales. El modelo B2G optimiza los procesos entre empresas y el gobierno a través de portales especializados.
This document provides a policy paper on improving energy efficiency in buildings in the Mediterranean region. It summarizes the current state of energy efficiency in buildings, identifies key barriers, and provides strategic recommendations. The paper was produced by combining research and analysis from three MED transnational cooperation projects: MARIE, ELIH-MED, and PROFORBIOMED. It finds that while progress has been made, many countries are still far from EU 2020 targets. Barriers include lack of funding, skills, and coordination. The paper recommends strengthening governance, promoting green jobs, activating the renovation market, and using smart energy management. It calls for better coordination between EU programs and proposes a macro-regional Mediterranean strategy to improve energy efficiency in buildings across
This presentation covers the thematic framework of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021-2027, which was approved by the Joint Programming Committee in December 2020. The Programme document is still subject to approval by all Programme countries and the European Commission.
Ljubljana declaration 23102013_en_signaturesAniela2
The document discusses challenges regarding energy efficiency and renewable energy in Mediterranean buildings. It notes that the Mediterranean area is lagging in moving towards nearly-zero energy buildings by 2020. It also faces specific barriers like traditional low emphasis on insulation and ageing building stock. However, investing in low-carbon transition for buildings can boost jobs and living standards. The ELIH-MED, MARIE and PROFORBIOMED projects show how EU support can encourage this transition. Representatives from these projects call for a new governance model and strategies to improve energy efficiency in Mediterranean buildings.
This document discusses the BETTER project, which aims to bring Europe and third countries closer together through renewable energies. It presents the objectives of assessing cooperation between the EU and third countries to help achieve renewable energy targets. Case studies will examine renewable energy cooperation opportunities between the EU, North Africa, Western Balkans and Turkey. The document outlines different cooperation mechanisms defined in the EU Renewable Energy Directive and provides an example case study of a joint hydroelectric project between Serbia and Italy. It also summarizes renewable energy potentials, targets and scenarios for several Western Balkan countries.
Energy Sufficiency Indicators and Policies (Lea Gynther, Motiva)Leonardo ENERGY
This policy brief looks at questions ‘how to measure energy sufficiency’, ‘which policies and measures can be used to address energy sufficiency’ and ‘how they are used in Europe today’.
Energy sufficiency refers to a situation where everyone has access to the energy services they need, whilst the impacts of the energy system do not exceed environmental limits. The level of ambition needed to address energy sufficiency is higher than in the case of energy efficiency.
This is the 13th edition of the Odyssee-Mure on Energy Efficiency Academy, and number 519 in the Leonardo ENERGY series. The recording of the live presentation can be found on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEAdYbI0wDI&list=PLUFRNkTrB5O_V155aGXfZ4b3R0fvT7sKz
Energy efficiency trends in the EU: Have we got off track?Diedert Debusscher
What has been the overall trend in final energy consumption and by sector in the EU since 2000? What are the main drivers of the energy consumption variation since 2000, and what has been the impact of energy savings? What are the trends in energy efficiency at the country level?
These are the key questions that will guide you through this webinar analysing energy efficiency trends in the EU for the period 2000-2019.
This presentation deck was used during the 9th webinar in the Odyssee-Mure on Energy Efficiency Academy on 25 June 2020. Recordings are available on https://www.youtube.com/user/LeonardoENERGY/videos?view=0&sort=dd&flow=grid
The webinar is an approximately 45 min presentation, followed by a live Q&A session with the panellists.
Following the recent enactment of the long-awaited draft Law 2010-d into Law 514-VIII as of 4 June 2015 "On the Amendment of Certain Laws of Ukraine as Regards the Ensuring of Competitive Conditions for Energy Production from Alternative Sources", I've amended my presentation re bioenergy which was delivered in June 2015 during the EU Sustainable Energy Week. The presentation also accommodates some of our relevant credentials and accomplished projects for which we rendered legal support.
Energy and mobility poverty: Will the Social Climate Fund be enough to delive...Leonardo ENERGY
Prior to the current soaring energy prices across Europe, the European Commission proposed, as part of the FitFor55 climate and energy package, the EU Social Climate Fund to mitigate the expected social impact of extending the EU ETS to transport and heating.
The report presented in this webinar provides an update of the European Energy Poverty Index, published for the first time in 2019, which shows the combined effect of energy and mobility poverty across Member States. Beyond the regular update of the index, the report provides analysis of the existing EU policy framework related to energy and transport poverty. France is used as a case study given the “yellow vest” movement, which was triggered by the proposed carbon tax on fuels.
Watch the recordings of the webinar:
https://youtu.be/i1Jdd3H05t0
THE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMME
PRESENTED BY
ENGR.(MRS) BAHIJJAHTU ABUBAKAR
NATIONAL COORDINATOR
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMME (REP),
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
OF NIGERIA
The European Union imports over half of its gas and over three quarters of its oil, relying heavily on Russia and other countries. The EU established a unified energy policy in 2005 to promote secure, sustainable and competitive energy. Key goals include reducing greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2020 and 95% by 2050 from primary energy sources. Major challenges include improving energy efficiency, transitioning to renewable technologies, and ensuring security of supply from diverse sources.
Presentation Biomass Teush_June_2015_EU_Sustainable Energy Weeksveki
The presentation covers various aspects related to the use of renewable energy sources in Ukraine, and biomass in particular, with a particular focus on recent legal developments and further challenges and prospects for the industry.
Summary of Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) project-SMILEGOV
The IEE funded project Smarter Multi Level Governance (SMILEGOV) is examining the major barriers to creating a low carbon society on islands. It is bringing together the various stakeholders and the multilevels of governance required to achieve the EU target of 20% reduction in Carbon and 20% increase in renewable energies by the year 2020, ie less than 6 years from now. The crux of the project is to engage all stakeholders including islanders to agree to the Pact of Islands. The pact asks for commitment to examine and agree an island energy action plan within 12 months of signing the document.
Using the Pan European Island programme SMILEGOV, we are working with other islands as per the Pact of Islands. To date, Arainn Mhor is creating a story board, a platform to collaborate, creating a model that others can emulate by working together.
How auction design affects the financing of renewable energy projects Leonardo ENERGY
Recording available at https://youtu.be/lPT1o735kOk
Renewable energy auctions might affect the financing of renewable energy (RE) projects. This webinar presents the results of the AURES II project exploring this topic. It discusses how auction designs ranging from bid bonds to penalties and remuneration schemes impact financing and discusses creating a low-risk auction support framework.
The document discusses the European Union's energy policy from a functionalist theory perspective. It provides background on how the EU has legislated energy policy for years and formally approved a comprehensive EU energy policy in 2005. Key points covered include:
- The EU imports large amounts of energy each year, relying on single suppliers for gas which threatens its energy security.
- EU energy policy aims to increase cooperation through technical experts rather than politicians to reduce conflicts and foster interdependence between countries.
- Functional cooperation between states and international organizations can help solve energy problems and potentially lead to greater political integration over time through spill-over effects.
- The common EU energy strategy is a good example of how regional integration and spill-over can occur
Energy efficiency, structural change and energy savings in the manufacturing ...Leonardo ENERGY
- Structural changes in manufacturing have significantly reduced energy consumption in Denmark since 1990 through growth in lower intensity sectors like food production.
- Energy efficiency improvements also contributed, especially from 2010-2014, lowering consumption alongside structural changes.
- A decomposition analysis found that decreases in consumption from 2006-2014 were mainly from structural effects in the first half, and efficiency gains in the latter half.
- Reported energy savings from Denmark's energy efficiency obligation scheme align with estimated efficiency improvements, though some autonomous gains likely occurred too.
Transition from coal fire power generation to renewable energy for public.pptxSampe Purba
the global and national fact sheet shows, despite the campaign to renewable energy, the dependence on fossil based energy is the reality. Every country needs to make a comprehensive assessment in line to its national interest, without leaving the responsibility as global citizen sharing the same universe.
The Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) is a technical cooperation programme implemented by GIZ and funded by the German government to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and rural electrification in Nigeria over a 5-year period. NESP provides expertise to various Nigerian partner institutions and aims to improve conditions for renewable energy and energy efficiency investments. It has four components: policy reform and renewable energy; energy efficiency; rural electrification; and capacity development. NESP recently launched and has already provided recommendations on energy policy and institutional frameworks, as well as initiating baseline studies and a training needs assessment.
This document summarizes a presentation about the EU's energy policy and goals. It discusses how the EU pays billions annually to import energy and relies on single suppliers for gas. The EU's 20-20-20 goals aim to reduce greenhouse gas levels 20%, increase renewables to 20% of energy consumption, and lower energy use 20% by 2020. However, the EU is not on track to meet its energy savings target. New directives establish rules for energy efficiency and nearly zero-energy buildings. Achieving the EU's climate change goals will require large investments and for renewables to supply 55-75% of energy by 2050.
This presentation discusses the contribution of Energy Efficiency Funds to the financing of energy efficiency in Europe. The analysis is based on the MURE database on energy efficiency policies. As an example, the German Energy Efficiency Fund is described in more detail.
This is the 17th webinar in the Odyssee-Mure on Energy Efficiency Academy.
Recordings are available on: https://youtu.be/KIewOQCgQWQ
Las Creative Commons son un conjunto de licencias de derechos de autor que permiten a los creadores especificar cómo pueden usarse sus obras. Existen 6 tipos de licencias que combinan 4 elementos: reconocimiento, no comercial, sin obras derivadas y compartir por igual. Las licencias permiten la distribución y exhibición de obras con diferentes niveles de restricciones sobre el uso comercial y la creación de obras derivadas.
Este documento describe tres modelos de negocios de comercio electrónico: B2B, B2C y B2G. El modelo B2B se refiere al intercambio de productos y servicios entre empresas para reducir costos. El modelo B2C involucra la venta directa de productos y servicios de una empresa a consumidores individuales. El modelo B2G optimiza los procesos entre empresas y el gobierno a través de portales especializados.
This document provides information for Achievement Standard 90342 related to developing and modeling a conceptual design in information and communication technology at NCEA Level 2. It includes 6 credits and involves identifying issues, formulating a brief, planning ongoing development work, and using modeling media to develop and demonstrate a conceptual design that addresses the identified issue. Key factors, stakeholders, and the viability of the conceptual design are prioritized for Merit and Excellence criteria. Planning tools, evidence of planning, and key stakeholders are also defined.
This document provides guidelines for giving full presentations, including having a clear structure with an introduction and conclusion on each slide, using a consistent layout of Context-Content-Conclusion (CCC) for slides, considering presentation style with appropriate timing and eye contact, and anticipating typical questions about the topic to effectively communicate the main messages.
Kathy Pojar has over 17 years of experience in human resources and payroll processing. She has expertise in administering 401K plans, employee stock purchase plans, new hire onboarding, disability, and termination processes. Additionally, she has 13 years of experience administering a defined benefit retirement plan. She is described as detail-oriented, organized, resourceful, hardworking, and dependable.
Thermal Analysis Of Return Line Of Hydraulic SteeringNitish Kulkarni
This document discusses thermal analysis of the return line in a hydraulic power steering system. It begins with an abstract stating that hydraulic fluid viscosity decreases as temperature increases, requiring more power to circulate the fluid. The main objective is to evaluate the effects of temperature on the hydraulic fluid.
Key points made include: hydraulic fluid must be thin enough when cold to flow quickly at start-up but thick enough when hot to perform tasks; viscosity is inversely proportional to temperature; and fluid efficiency is compromised if temperatures go outside the fluid's design parameters.
The document outlines components of a power steering system and principles of how it works. It also discusses issues like pressure drops creating heat buildup and methods to reduce fluid temperatures. Mathematical
Russell Kennedy Health Seminar by Matthew Carroll - 6 September 2016Russell_Kennedy
Mental Health in Victoria: A presentation from Matthew Carroll, President, Mental Health Tribunal.
The Mental Health Tribunal considers compulsory mental health treatment and treatment by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The Mental Health Act 2014 has operated for over 18 months.
Mr. Carroll provided an overview of the work of the Tribunal, key features of the Act and emerging trends in its operation.
Seminar: Social media in the workplace - 30 November 2016Russell_Kennedy
This document discusses social media use in the workplace and provides guidance on developing an effective social media policy. It notes that while social media can promote businesses and engage customers, it also poses reputational and financial risks if misused. The document outlines examples of workplace issues that have arisen from social media use, such as bullying and privacy breaches. It emphasizes training employees on appropriate social media use and behavior, developing a clear policy, and disciplining violations proportionately while ensuring procedural fairness. Overall, the document advises employers to embrace social media's benefits while carefully managing its risks through a well-designed strategy and policy.
The document discusses solar energy technologies and their potential role in the global energy system. It begins by outlining the abundant solar resource and how its energy can be captured through thermal and photovoltaic means. It then examines solar electricity technologies like photovoltaics and concentrating solar power, finding that solar electricity could meet a substantial share of global electricity demand by 2050 according to modeled scenarios. The document also explores using solar energy in buildings for applications like water and space heating. Overall, it presents solar energy as a promising renewable resource that could make significant contributions to global energy needs if supported by appropriate policies.
The document discusses solar energy technologies and their potential role in the global energy system. It begins by outlining the abundant solar resource and how its energy can be captured through thermal and photovoltaic means. It then examines solar electricity technologies like photovoltaics and concentrating solar power, finding that solar electricity could meet a substantial share of global electricity demand by 2050 according to modeled scenarios. The document also explores using solar energy in buildings for applications like water and space heating. Overall, it presents solar energy as a promising renewable resource that could make significant contributions to global energy needs if supported by appropriate policies.
A continuación la introducción que brinda By Hai-Vu Phan, Dra. en Filosofía por la University of Southern California:
"Todos los países enfrentan intereses arraigados cuando los líderes políticos buscan un cambio significativo en las políticas, y en ninguna parte es esto más obvio que en la búsqueda de adoptar energías renovables (solar, eólica, geotérmica, etc.). A pesar de la poderosa oposición interna, Perú aprobó recientemente su primera política para la producción de electricidad a gran escala utilizando energía renovable, el Decreto Legislativo (LD) 1002, en 2008".
The document outlines a pathway for transforming the global energy system to limit global warming to well below 2°C. Key points:
- Current policies will lead to global energy sector CO2 emissions exceeding the remaining carbon budget for 2°C in less than 20 years, necessitating faster transition.
- Renewable energy deployment must increase six-fold compared to current plans, supplying two-thirds of total energy and 85% of electricity by 2050. Electricity use must double, electrifying transport and heat.
- This accelerated transition could deliver over 90% of needed emissions reductions through renewable energy and efficiency, while growing the global economy, creating jobs, and improving welfare through reduced health and environmental costs.
This document is a thesis submitted by Joshua Neale Phillips for the degree of MSc in Water, Energy and Environment at Liverpool John Moores University. The thesis examines community perceptions of renewable energy technologies in rural Pembrokeshire, Wales, looking specifically at how perceptions are affected by nearby solar and wind energy projects. The thesis provides background on energy issues, renewable technologies like solar and wind power, and the environmental impacts of renewable projects. It then describes the methodology, results and discussion of a survey conducted in Pembrokeshire towns on perceptions of nearby renewable projects, finding overall support for renewables but greater negativity towards wind energy due to impacts on wildlife, landscape, and noise.
Report by Marian Muenchenbach and Anthony Ojok (2010) describing transition from emergency relief to development after 20 years of violent internal conflict in Kitgum, Uganda. Focus is on facilitating local economic recovery and market development in an humanitarian assistance programme. Authors adapted the EMMA toolkit to these ends.
Green Energy- Green Business: New Financial and Policy Instruments for Sustai...thinkingeurope2011
This document provides an overview of green energy and business in the EU. It discusses the evolution of the EU's renewable energy policy, from early goals in the 1990s to the current "2020" targets. The EU has made progress toward these targets but still faces challenges, particularly related to mobilizing private investment. Subsidies have helped develop the young green industry but their phase out must be planned carefully. New policy and financial instruments are needed to generate sustainable growth in the green sector and maintain Europe's global competitiveness in this area.
The Potential Role of Renewable Energy in Meeting the Millennium Development ...QZ1
This document discusses the potential role of renewable energy in meeting the UN Millennium Development Goals. It finds that renewable energy technologies can help alleviate poverty, improve health outcomes, and promote environmental sustainability in developing countries. Specifically, renewables can provide cooking and lighting fuel to save time and income, enable income-generating activities, improve education access, promote gender equality, and enhance water quality and sustainable agriculture. However, many developing nations currently rely heavily on imported fossil fuels, making their energy supply insecure and economies vulnerable to oil price fluctuations. Renewable energy can help address energy poverty and support achieving the Millennium Development Goals in a reliable and affordable manner.
The document discusses community energy as a major driver of change in the global energy ecosystem. It summarizes interviews conducted with 18 executives representing communities or utilities on the topic of community energy. Key findings from the interviews include that economic benefit is a primary objective for communities; ease, integration and scale matter; communities must engage all stakeholders; competence is growing but communities are not experts; regulation hampers progress; and information is essential. The interviews provide insights into stakeholder perspectives on community energy trends, challenges, success factors and the future impact on energy systems.
Morocco imports 96% of its energy and consumption is expected to quadruple by 2030, threatening its energy security. To combat this, Morocco launched a National Energy Strategy in 2009 with goals of developing renewable energies like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. The report evaluates Morocco's progress towards these goals through large-scale renewable projects and energy efficiency initiatives, finding successes but also opportunities to improve, such as increasing support for local projects and energy conservation. Recommendations are made to help Morocco achieve its goal of generating 42% of energy from renewable sources by 2020.
This document summarizes a paper that analyzes how increased use of renewable energy can help developing countries achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals by 2025. It finds that renewable technologies like solar, wind, hydro and bioenergy can provide reliable and affordable energy for poverty reduction through job creation and by powering schools and clinics. Renewables can also free up household income by displacing traditional biomass fuels for cooking. The document concludes that a balanced energy portfolio including renewable sources alongside fossil fuels will best support achieving the Millennium Development Goals in many developing nations.
This document summarizes two scenarios for the development of renewable energy by 2030 developed by the Energy Watch Group. The "High Variant" scenario sees renewable energy supplying 29% of final global energy demand by 2030, while the "Low Variant" scenario projects a 17% share. Both scenarios assume growing annual investments in renewable technologies per capita in different world regions between 2010 and 2030. Total projected investments in 2030 are $1 trillion in the High Variant and $510 billion in the Low Variant. As a result, installed renewable power capacity is projected to reach 4,450 GW in the High Variant and 1,840 GW in the Low Variant by 2030.
This document provides an overview of how renewable energy technologies can increase access to modern energy services in rural areas. It examines international commitments to reducing energy poverty and linking energy access to rural development. Case studies from countries like Nepal, Eritrea, China, Argentina and Namibia show how technologies like biogas plants, improved cookstoves, solar PV, wind power and mini-hydro have expanded access to energy for domestic use and electricity. The case studies demonstrate that innovative project design and institutional support are important to overcoming barriers to deploying renewable technologies in rural markets. The document aims to synthesize lessons from the case studies on promoting rural development through renewable energy.
This document appears to be a master's thesis that analyzes potential cooperation between the EU and Egypt on solar energy development. It begins with an introduction that outlines the research questions and objectives. It then describes the qualitative research method used, which involves analyzing secondary data from academic and news sources to understand the context and perspectives around this issue. The literature review covers:
1) The current situation around climate change in Europe and the MENA region and their respective energy needs and policies.
2) The potential for international agreements between the EU and MENA countries on energy issues.
3) The role that solar energy could play and different policy mechanisms to support it.
4) Egypt's potential and challenges as a
The handbook provides a framework for cities to develop strategies to better utilize abandoned buildings and spaces following circular economy principles. It outlines the benefits of promoting reuse practices such as more sustainable urbanization and land savings. The handbook was produced jointly by the Urban Agenda Partnerships on Circular Economy and Sustainable Use of Land and Nature-Based Solutions given the relevance of building reuse to both partnerships. It presents case studies and models for managing urban circular reuse through structures like Urban Agencies for Reuse. The goal is to create economic and social opportunities without consuming new land and improve environmental performance of existing buildings.
Public-Private Roundtables at the Fourth Clean Energy MinisterialValerie Riedel
This report summarizes the key outcomes of the six industry-government discussions held as part of the fourth Clean Energy Ministerial, in 2014. Energetics supported our client (The U.S. Department of Energy) in preparing this report, providing substantive editing, graphic design, photo selection, and content planning assistance.
The document investigates challenges around financing and coordinating ecosystem
restoration at scale. It finds that high start-up costs, uncertain returns, and risks discourage
private investment. Returns are non-monetary or long-term while risks are short-term. There
is also a lack of coordination between financing supply and demand. To address these issues,
the report recommends developing restoration insurance, public-private partnerships, and
leveraging private funds with public co-funding to cover social returns. Knowledge sharing
networks and regional involvement in decision-making could help lower search costs.
Coordination mechanisms like investment funds and community approaches may also reduce
organization expenses. Proper
Perspectives for Renewable Energy Development.pdfssuser9a0fbb1
This document provides an overview of key factors that influence the deployment of renewable energy technologies in UNECE countries. It identifies four main dimensions - political/regulatory, economic, social, and technical - that affect renewable energy markets. Each dimension contains several important drivers, such as policy targets, promotion schemes, electricity prices, social acceptance, and resource potential. The document argues that no universal policy solutions exist for UNECE countries due to heterogeneity, and that locally tailored approaches are needed that consider a nation's unique situation within these four dimensions.
Renewable energy capacity and generation has grown significantly in recent years due to supportive policies, falling technology costs, and environmental and energy security benefits. However, further major increases in renewable energy deployment are needed to meet climate and sustainable development goals. Bridging this gap will require enhanced policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, and continued technology innovation to further reduce costs. Accelerating the global energy transformation through increased renewable energy adoption presents both opportunities and challenges going forward.
The Strategic Energy Technology Plan: at the heart of energy R&I in EuropeNuno Quental
The Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan document outlines the key milestones in the 10-year history of the SET Plan, which was established to help reshape Europe's energy future and accelerate the clean energy transition. The SET Plan aims to develop new technologies through breakthrough research to meet climate change goals and reduce costs. It focuses R&I funding on priority technologies and leverages cooperation across European countries and the private sector. Over the past decade, renewable energy costs have declined significantly while deployment has increased substantially in Europe, putting the EU in a leading global position for many clean energy sectors. However, greater ambition is still needed to achieve emissions reduction targets.
Solving the finance conundrum affecting innovative renewable energy technologiesNuno Quental
The document discusses various funding mechanisms that support the development and deployment of low-carbon technologies in Europe. It outlines several EU-level funds and initiatives, including the European Investment Bank, Cohesion Fund, NER 300, Horizon 2020, and Connecting Europe Facility. It also discusses how these funds support priorities of the EU's Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) to accelerate the deployment of low-carbon technologies.
EcoMobility: the new urban transportation solutionNuno Quental
The document is a newsletter from CITYNET (Regional Network of Local Authorities for the Management of Human Settlements) focusing on disaster risk reduction and recovery efforts.
The main topics covered are:
1) Yokohama's response to the 2011 earthquake, including establishing a disaster headquarters, dispatching over 1,700 officials to assist with relief efforts, and coordinating with other cities.
2) An interview with Margareta Wahlström of UNISDR who discusses the importance of viewing disaster risk reduction holistically and focusing on prevention by making choices to build more resilient infrastructure and social systems.
3) CITYNET's role in advocating for safer cities through initiatives like the
Biofuels policy, implications for food security and for the environmentNuno Quental
This document discusses biofuels policy and its implications for food security and the environment. It finds that while biofuels production is increasing rapidly, it is still limited mostly to first generation biofuels from food crops. This contributes to increasing and volatile food prices, threatening global food security. Advanced biofuels from non-food sources are being researched but have not been widely commercialized. The document recommends policies that incentivize biofuels in a way that does not compromise food security or the environment.
How can the stigma of public transport as the 'poor man's vehicle' be overcom...Nuno Quental
The document contains opinions from several experts on how to overcome the stigma of public transport being seen as only for the poor. Some key points made:
- Public transport is seen as undesirable due to poor conditions, but cities like Paris show it can be clean, safe, and reliable. Subsidies are needed to make prices competitive with private vehicles.
- Public transport must improve speed, reliability and integration to compete directly with private cars. Measures like coordinated schedules and regional tickets could attract more riders.
- The stigma comes from some public transport users having no choice but to use it. Walking and cycling conditions also impact perceptions if they are unsafe.
- Efficiency, high quality infrastructure, campaigns
Mobilidade e qualidade do ar: plano de acção do Grande Porto Nuno Quental
Este documento apresenta o Plano de Acção para Mobilidade e Qualidade do Ar no âmbito do projeto Futuro Sustentável - Plano Estratégico de Ambiente do Grande Porto. O plano descreve a equipa técnica envolvida, os objetivos gerais do projeto, o processo desenvolvido até agora e as próximas etapas de implementação. Inclui também uma análise da mobilidade e qualidade do ar na região e propõe vários projetos âncora e modelos de intervenção a desenvolver até 2010 para promover a mobilidade suave
Espaços verdes e rio Antuã: diagnóstico e plano de acçãoNuno Quental
Este documento apresenta um diagnóstico e plano de ação para os espaços verdes e o rio Antuã no município de S. João da Madeira. Inclui uma análise da paisagem urbana existente, identificando diferentes formas urbanas e elementos paisagísticos. Aborda também a qualidade da água do rio Antuã e os problemas relacionados com a poluição. Finalmente, propõe um plano de ação com objetivos e medidas concretas para a criação, manutenção e qualificação dos espaços verdes e
Indicadores de sustentabilidade para o Grande PortoNuno Quental
Este documento constitui uma compilação de indicadores de desenvolvimento sustentável para a região do Grande Porto. Optou-se por uma abordagem abrangente para facilitar o acesso a informação e permitir uma reflexão mais global sobre estratégias. Os indicadores estão organizados por tipologia e domínios, enquadrados na metodologia DPSIR. Foram analisadas diferenças entre municípios, evoluções temporais e relações entre indicadores.
Mobilidade e qualidade do ar: diagnóstico de ambiente do Grande PortoNuno Quental
Este documento apresenta o diagnóstico da mobilidade e qualidade do ar no Grande Porto. Analisa as forças motrizes, pressões, estado, impactos e respostas relacionadas com a mobilidade na região através do modelo DPSIR. Inclui também uma análise da circulação pedonal e ciclável e apresenta exemplos estrangeiros e nacionais de boas práticas nesta área. Por fim, apresenta conclusões e recomendações para melhorar a mobilidade sustentável no Grande Porto.
Sustainable development policy: goals, targets and political cyclesNuno Quental
This document summarizes the political milestones related to sustainable development from the 1960s onwards. It identifies goals and targets from political initiatives through a literature review and analysis of indicators related to political will for sustainable development. The document concludes that global sustainability governance followed an intermittent path with peaks in political activity coinciding with decennial Earth Summits, suggesting their major influence in driving more profound societal and political action on sustainability issues. It also finds that sustainability concerns shifted from a focus on pollution control and resource availability to emphasize balanced human development.
Modeling a sustainable urban structure: An application to the Metropolitan Ar...Nuno Quental
This dissertation examines modeling a sustainable urban structure in the Metropolitan Area of Porto, Portugal. The author develops a conceptual framework of sustainable urban development based on literature and applies it to the 130 boroughs of Porto. Several dimensions of territorial structure are analyzed to understand their influence on mobility patterns, residential energy/water consumption, and urban growth. Statistical methods like structural equations, regression, and machine learning are used to model these relationships. Results show socioeconomic factors like income, education, and family size most strongly influence mobility and consumption patterns at the borough scale, while urban form also significantly impacts mobility. Urban growth is largely determined by highway accessibility. Trends in recent decades have pushed cities away from sustainability, so compact urban planning could help
Guia de apoio à implementação Agenda 21 LocalNuno Quental
Este documento fornece orientações sobre a implementação da Agenda 21 Local por municípios, com o objetivo de promover o desenvolvimento sustentável a nível local através da participação da comunidade. Aborda a história da Agenda 21 Local, os benefícios potenciais, as etapas do processo de implementação, o planeamento necessário e fontes bibliográficas.
Ambiente - Plano estratégico de desenvolvimento do município de Ponte da BarcaNuno Quental
1. O documento descreve o estado atual do meio ambiente em Ponte da Barca, Portugal, incluindo recursos hídricos, qualidade do ar, biodiversidade e florestas.
2. Também analisa as principais pressões sobre o meio ambiente como poluição da água, alterações climáticas, declínio da biodiversidade e incêndios florestais.
3. Por fim, fornece recomendações para melhorar a sustentabilidade ambiental através da proteção dos recursos naturais e redução da poluição.
An EcoMobility certification system for citiesNuno Quental
The document provides an overview of the EcoMobility SHIFT project which aims to create an EcoMobility certification scheme for cities. The certification scheme will assess cities' sustainable transport policies and allow municipalities to obtain an 'EcoMobility Label'. The scheme is intended to be a static measure of overall achievement as well as a dynamic measure of process. It will also function as an internal management tool and external comparative tool for cities. The certification system will include a quality management system, labelling scheme, and auditing procedures to guide cities in policy improvements and attribute labels. A review was conducted of existing similar schemes to identify best practices and lessons for the EcoMobility SHIFT certification system.
Integração de critérios objectivos de sustentabilidade ambiental nos PROTsNuno Quental
Este documento discute a integração de critérios de sustentabilidade ambiental nos planos regionais de ordenamento do território em Portugal. Ele analisa as estratégias da União Europeia e nacional relacionadas ao desenvolvimento sustentável e ordenamento do território, e propõe a introdução de padrões baseados em critérios de sustentabilidade e avaliações ambientais estratégicas nos planos regionais.
Travelling patterns associated with different urban forms and population clas...Nuno Quental
This document analyzes travel patterns associated with different urban forms and population classes in the Porto Metropolitan Area of Portugal. It uses data on car and public transportation usage, socio-economic classes, population density, land use, average trip duration, and transportation infrastructure from 2001-2005. The document finds that higher socio-economic classes that live in lower density areas tend to travel primarily by car, while older, denser urban areas have higher public transportation usage. Changes in land use between 1990-2000, including urban expansion and construction sites, also influence travel patterns. The analysis seeks relationships between these variables to understand what encourages public transportation usage versus private car travel.
Um modelo integrado de desenvolvimento sustentável às escalas global e urbanaNuno Quental
1. O documento discute um modelo integrado de desenvolvimento sustentável às escalas global e urbana.
2. Aborda os impactos ambientais da urbanização crescente e da dispersão urbana.
3. Apresenta teorias sobre desenvolvimento sustentável como a teoria da panarquia, que enfatiza a capacidade adaptativa da sociedade ao longo do tempo.
References, authors, journals and scientific disciplines underlying the susta...Nuno Quental
This document summarizes a citation analysis of references, authors, journals, and disciplines underlying the sustainable development literature. It finds that the core of sustainability thinking is framed by landmark studies published every 5 years, with only 380 publications cited at least 10 times. The most influential references come from economics, environmental science, and policy documents. Classics seem to have a more enduring influence due to their high citation rates over time.
Um sistema de boa governança para a Área Metropolitana do PortoNuno Quental
Este documento presenta la revista "Eixo Atlántico. Revista da Eurorrexión Galicia-Norte de Portugal" y su consejo de redacción y comité científico. La revista se centra en temas relacionados con los gobiernos locales y la administración pública en la Eurorregión Galicia-Norte de Portugal. El documento incluye artículos sobre el debate metropolitano en Galicia y el norte de Portugal, experiencias de casos de mejora del gobierno y la gestión local, y noticias e información sobre programas de form
Plano estratégico de ambiente do Grande Porto, como integrar as políticas aut...Nuno Quental
O documento descreve o Plano Estratégico de Ambiente do Grande Porto, conhecido como "Futuro Sustentável", que visa integrar as políticas ambientais das autarquias da região num único plano de ação. Foi impulsionado pela Lipor e desenvolvido em parceria com a Escola Superior de Biotecnologia. O plano promove o desenvolvimento sustentável da área metropolitana através da participação pública, diagnósticos ambientais e implementação de ações.
Epcon is One of the World's leading Manufacturing Companies.EpconLP
Epcon is One of the World's leading Manufacturing Companies. With over 4000 installations worldwide, EPCON has been pioneering new techniques since 1977 that have become industry standards now. Founded in 1977, Epcon has grown from a one-man operation to a global leader in developing and manufacturing innovative air pollution control technology and industrial heating equipment.
Evolving Lifecycles with High Resolution Site Characterization (HRSC) and 3-D...Joshua Orris
The incorporation of a 3DCSM and completion of HRSC provided a tool for enhanced, data-driven, decisions to support a change in remediation closure strategies. Currently, an approved pilot study has been obtained to shut-down the remediation systems (ISCO, P&T) and conduct a hydraulic study under non-pumping conditions. A separate micro-biological bench scale treatability study was competed that yielded positive results for an emerging innovative technology. As a result, a field pilot study has commenced with results expected in nine-twelve months. With the results of the hydraulic study, field pilot studies and an updated risk assessment leading site monitoring optimization cost lifecycle savings upwards of $15MM towards an alternatively evolved best available technology remediation closure strategy.
Presented by The Global Peatlands Assessment: Mapping, Policy, and Action at GLF Peatlands 2024 - The Global Peatlands Assessment: Mapping, Policy, and Action
Recycling and Disposal on SWM Raymond Einyu pptxRayLetai1
Increasing urbanization, rural–urban migration, rising standards of living, and rapid development associated with population growth have resulted in increased solid waste generation by industrial, domestic and other activities in Nairobi City. It has been noted in other contexts too that increasing population, changing consumption patterns, economic development, changing income, urbanization and industrialization all contribute to the increased generation of waste.
With the increasing urban population in Kenya, which is estimated to be growing at a rate higher than that of the country’s general population, waste generation and management is already a major challenge. The industrialization and urbanization process in the country, dominated by one major city – Nairobi, which has around four times the population of the next largest urban centre (Mombasa) – has witnessed an exponential increase in the generation of solid waste. It is projected that by 2030, about 50 per cent of the Kenyan population will be urban.
Aim:
A healthy, safe, secure and sustainable solid waste management system fit for a world – class city.
Improve and protect the public health of Nairobi residents and visitors.
Ecological health, diversity and productivity and maximize resource recovery through the participatory approach.
Goals:
Build awareness and capacity for source separation as essential components of sustainable waste management.
Build new environmentally sound infrastructure and systems for safe disposal of residual waste and replacing current dumpsites which should be commissioned.
Current solid waste management situation:
The status.
Solid waste generation rate is at 2240 tones / day
collection efficiently is at about 50%.
Actors i.e. city authorities, CBO’s , private firms and self-disposal
Current SWM Situation in Nairobi City:
Solid waste generation – collection – dumping
Good Practices:
• Separation – recycling – marketing.
• Open dumpsite dandora dump site through public education on source separation of waste, of which the situation can be reversed.
• Nairobi is one of the C40 cities in this respect , various actors in the solid waste management space have adopted a variety of technologies to reduce short lived climate pollutants including source separation , recycling , marketing of the recycled products.
• Through the network, it should expect to benefit from expertise of the different actors in the network in terms of applicable technologies and practices in reducing the short-lived climate pollutants.
Good practices:
Despite the dismal collection of solid waste in Nairobi city, there are practices and activities of informal actors (CBOs, CBO-SACCOs and yard shop operators) and other formal industrial actors on solid waste collection, recycling and waste reduction.
Practices and activities of these actor groups are viewed as innovations with the potential to change the way solid waste is handled.
CHALLENGES:
• Resource Allocation.
Kinetic studies on malachite green dye adsorption from aqueous solutions by A...Open Access Research Paper
Water polluted by dyestuffs compounds is a global threat to health and the environment; accordingly, we prepared a green novel sorbent chemical and Physical system from an algae, chitosan and chitosan nanoparticle and impregnated with algae with chitosan nanocomposite for the sorption of Malachite green dye from water. The algae with chitosan nanocomposite by a simple method and used as a recyclable and effective adsorbent for the removal of malachite green dye from aqueous solutions. Algae, chitosan, chitosan nanoparticle and algae with chitosan nanocomposite were characterized using different physicochemical methods. The functional groups and chemical compounds found in algae, chitosan, chitosan algae, chitosan nanoparticle, and chitosan nanoparticle with algae were identified using FTIR, SEM, and TGADTA/DTG techniques. The optimal adsorption conditions, different dosages, pH and Temperature the amount of algae with chitosan nanocomposite were determined. At optimized conditions and the batch equilibrium studies more than 99% of the dye was removed. The adsorption process data matched well kinetics showed that the reaction order for dye varied with pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order. Furthermore, the maximum adsorption capacity of the algae with chitosan nanocomposite toward malachite green dye reached as high as 15.5mg/g, respectively. Finally, multiple times reusing of algae with chitosan nanocomposite and removing dye from a real wastewater has made it a promising and attractive option for further practical applications.
Optimizing Post Remediation Groundwater Performance with Enhanced Microbiolog...Joshua Orris
Results of geophysics and pneumatic injection pilot tests during 2003 – 2007 yielded significant positive results for injection delivery design and contaminant mass treatment, resulting in permanent shut-down of an existing groundwater Pump & Treat system.
Accessible source areas were subsequently removed (2011) by soil excavation and treated with the placement of Emulsified Vegetable Oil EVO and zero-valent iron ZVI to accelerate treatment of impacted groundwater in overburden and weathered fractured bedrock. Post pilot test and post remediation groundwater monitoring has included analyses of CVOCs, organic fatty acids, dissolved gases and QuantArray® -Chlor to quantify key microorganisms (e.g., Dehalococcoides, Dehalobacter, etc.) and functional genes (e.g., vinyl chloride reductase, methane monooxygenase, etc.) to assess potential for reductive dechlorination and aerobic cometabolism of CVOCs.
In 2022, the first commercial application of MetaArray™ was performed at the site. MetaArray™ utilizes statistical analysis, such as principal component analysis and multivariate analysis to provide evidence that reductive dechlorination is active or even that it is slowing. This creates actionable data allowing users to save money by making important site management decisions earlier.
The results of the MetaArray™ analysis’ support vector machine (SVM) identified groundwater monitoring wells with a 80% confidence that were characterized as either Limited for Reductive Decholorination or had a High Reductive Reduction Dechlorination potential. The results of MetaArray™ will be used to further optimize the site’s post remediation monitoring program for monitored natural attenuation.
Improving the viability of probiotics by encapsulation methods for developmen...Open Access Research Paper
The popularity of functional foods among scientists and common people has been increasing day by day. Awareness and modernization make the consumer think better regarding food and nutrition. Now a day’s individual knows very well about the relation between food consumption and disease prevalence. Humans have a diversity of microbes in the gut that together form the gut microflora. Probiotics are the health-promoting live microbial cells improve host health through gut and brain connection and fighting against harmful bacteria. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are the two bacterial genera which are considered to be probiotic. These good bacteria are facing challenges of viability. There are so many factors such as sensitivity to heat, pH, acidity, osmotic effect, mechanical shear, chemical components, freezing and storage time as well which affects the viability of probiotics in the dairy food matrix as well as in the gut. Multiple efforts have been done in the past and ongoing in present for these beneficial microbial population stability until their destination in the gut. One of a useful technique known as microencapsulation makes the probiotic effective in the diversified conditions and maintain these microbe’s community to the optimum level for achieving targeted benefits. Dairy products are found to be an ideal vehicle for probiotic incorporation. It has been seen that the encapsulated microbial cells show higher viability than the free cells in different processing and storage conditions as well as against bile salts in the gut. They make the food functional when incorporated, without affecting the product sensory characteristics.
ENVIRONMENT~ Renewable Energy Sources and their future prospects.tiwarimanvi3129
This presentation is for us to know that how our Environment need Attention for protection of our natural resources which are depleted day by day that's why we need to take time and shift our attention to renewable energy sources instead of non-renewable sources which are better and Eco-friendly for our environment. these renewable energy sources are so helpful for our planet and for every living organism which depends on environment.
Climate Change All over the World .pptxsairaanwer024
Climate change refers to significant and lasting changes in the average weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It encompasses both global warming driven by human emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. While climate change is a natural phenomenon, human activities, particularly since the Industrial Revolution, have accelerated its pace and intensity
Microbial characterisation and identification, and potability of River Kuywa ...Open Access Research Paper
Water contamination is one of the major causes of water borne diseases worldwide. In Kenya, approximately 43% of people lack access to potable water due to human contamination. River Kuywa water is currently experiencing contamination due to human activities. Its water is widely used for domestic, agricultural, industrial and recreational purposes. This study aimed at characterizing bacteria and fungi in river Kuywa water. Water samples were randomly collected from four sites of the river: site A (Matisi), site B (Ngwelo), site C (Nzoia water pump) and site D (Chalicha), during the dry season (January-March 2018) and wet season (April-July 2018) and were transported to Maseno University Microbiology and plant pathology laboratory for analysis. The characterization and identification of bacteria and fungi were carried out using standard microbiological techniques. Nine bacterial genera and three fungi were identified from Kuywa river water. Clostridium spp., Staphylococcus spp., Enterobacter spp., Streptococcus spp., E. coli, Klebsiella spp., Shigella spp., Proteus spp. and Salmonella spp. Fungi were Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus flavus complex and Penicillium species. Wet season recorded highest bacterial and fungal counts (6.61-7.66 and 3.83-6.75cfu/ml) respectively. The results indicated that the river Kuywa water is polluted and therefore unsafe for human consumption before treatment. It is therefore recommended that the communities to ensure that they boil water especially for drinking.
Microbial characterisation and identification, and potability of River Kuywa ...
Changing the future of energy: civil society as a main player in renewable energy generation
1. CHANGING THE FUTURE OF ENERGY:
CIVIL SOCIETY AS A MAIN PLAYER IN RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION
EESC study on the role of civil society in the implementation of the EU Renewable Energy
Directive
FINAL REPORT
2. 2
This study was carried out by a team of nine members of the EESC Sustainable Development
Observatory (SDO) and of the EESC Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information
Society (TEN):
a core team of three members who guided the work and visited the six Member States:
Lutz Ribbe (overall coordinator), Isabel Caño Aguilar, and Brenda King; and
an enlarged team of six members who supported the implementation of case studies in
selected Member States: Andrzej Chwiluk (Poland), Pierre-Jean Coulon (France), Tom Jones
(UK), Vitas Mačiulis (Lithuania), Georgi Stoev (Bulgaria), and Frank van Oorschot (the
Netherlands).
The secretariat of the EESC Sustainable Development Observatory (Rayka Hauser and Nuno Quental)
provided continuous assistance in the organisation of the case studies and in the drafting of this report.
The EESC study team extends special thanks to the Sustainable Development Council of the French
Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur Region (PACA), the Welsh government, the Polish Miners' Union, the
EC representations in Germany, Bulgaria, Poland and Wales; to numerous civil society organisations,
associations of renewable energy producers, cooperatives, community initiatives and social
enterprises, as well as authorities at national, regional and local level in the countries visited. They all
supported the organisation of the study, participated actively in the debates, showed enthusiasm in
bringing forward the deployment of decentralised renewable energies, and provided invaluable input
from their different perspectives in shaping the conclusions of this study.
Indeed, this report presents first and foremost the rich feedback the study team received from a wide
range of stakeholders during the visits and discussions.
3. 3
Table of contents
1. Summary of key findings and recommendations......................................................................... 5
1.1 Key findings ..................................................................................................................... 5
1.1.1 A sense of opportunity ................................................................................................ 5
1.1.2 A sense of frustration .................................................................................................. 5
1.1.3 A strong case for civic renewable energy...................................................................... 5
1.1.4 An enormous potential that is largely untapped............................................................. 6
1.2 Key recommendations ....................................................................................................... 6
1.2.1 Create a level playing field for renewable energy.......................................................... 6
1.2.2 Make decentralised, civic renewable energy a policy priority......................................... 6
1.2.3 Establish stable policy frameworks to support civic renewable energy:........................... 6
1.2.4 Empower active civil society dialogue on energy policy ................................................ 7
1.2.5 Launch a transparent dialogue on energy prices, costs and benefits ................................ 7
1.2.6 Address the social consequences of the energy transition............................................... 8
2. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 8
3. The study approach .................................................................................................................10
3.1 Objectives........................................................................................................................10
3.2 Methodology....................................................................................................................11
4. Progress in renewable energy in the EU: a snapshot...................................................................11
5. The case for civil society involvement and for civic renewable energy........................................13
5.3 Civic energy unlocks funds needed for the renewable energy transition................................15
5.4 Civic renewable energy promotes community development and fights energy poverty..........16
5.5 Civic renewable energy production is a net creator of jobs and economic growth..................17
6. The debate on renewable energy prices and costs.......................................................................17
7. What preconditions are needed to unlock the potential of civic energy? ......................................19
7.2 A stable and coherent policy framework ............................................................................20
7.3 A transparent and inclusive policy formulation process.......................................................21
7.4 Simple and transparent administrative procedures...............................................................22
7.5 Support schemes adapted to the needs of decentralised civic renewable energy ....................22
7.6 Addressing barriers to civic renewable energy....................................................................24
7.7 Grid development and coordination to adjust to the needs of renewables..............................26
7.8 Energy management and storage .......................................................................................27
8. Conclusions ............................................................................................................................27
Appendices..................................................................................................................................30
A.1. Reports of the missions to Member States..........................................................................30
A.2. List of EESC opinions dealing with renewable energy........................................................30
4. 4
From the Preamble to Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on
the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (the EU Renewable Energy
Directive):
"(3) The opportunities for establishing economic growth through innovation and a sustainable
competitive energy policy have been recognised. Production of energy from renewable sources often
depends on local or regional small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The opportunities for
growth and employment that investments in regional and local production of energy from renewable
sources bring about in the Member States and their regions are important. The Commission and the
Member States should therefore support national and regional development measures in those areas,
encourage the exchange of best practices in production of energy from renewable sources between
local and regional development initiatives and promote the use of structural funding in this area.
(4) When favouring the development of the market for renewable energy sources, it is necessary to
take into account the positive impact on regional and local development opportunities, export
prospects, social cohesion and employment opportunities, in particular as concerns SMEs and
independent energy producers. (…)
(6) It is appropriate to support the demonstration and commercialisation phase of decentralised
renewable energy technologies. The move towards decentralised energy production has many benefits,
including the utilisation of local energy sources, increased local security of energy supply, shorter
transport distances and reduced energy transmission losses. Such decentralisation also fosters
community development and cohesion by providing income sources and creating jobs locally. (…)
(43) In order to stimulate the contribution by individual citizens to the objectives set out in this
Directive, the relevant authorities should consider the possibility of replacing authorisations by simple
notifications to the competent body when installing small decentralised devices for producing energy
from renewable sources."
5. 5
1. Summary of key findings and recommendations
1.1 Key findings
1.1.1 A sense of opportunity
In all of the Member States visited, the study team found a strong civil society committed to energy
transition, aware of the socio-economic opportunities it creates, and willing to benefit from
decentralised renewable energy production. There was a sense of excitement about the possibilities
opened up by renewable energy for income generation, community development and social
innovation, and an eagerness to learn about best practice and support policies in other Member States.
1.1.2 A sense of frustration
At the same time, stakeholders shared their frustration with bureaucratic hurdles and complex
procedures; with recent policy reforms that put small producers and communities at a disadvantage
compared to large, centralised energy producers; with the non-recognition of the value of civic energy
by policy-makers and, in some cases, with the lack of constructive dialogue with the authorities. These
barriers are recognised and described in detail by the European Commission in its Renewable Energy
Progress Report (2013)1. The fact that such barriers remain or are even increasing (e.g. with the
introduction of auctions for RE generation in a number of Member States) was interpreted by some
civil society representatives as a direct attack on civic energy to the advantage of large centralised
producers.
1.1.3 A strong case for civic renewable energy
A central finding of the study was the fact that civil society is not content with just being consulted on
energy policy. Communities, civil society organisations and private individuals are eager to become
producers of renewable energy - and the team was given ample evidence and arguments in support of
this trend:
Civic energy increases local acceptance of renewable energy infrastructure, building support and
engagement for the transition process. It unlocks urgently needed funds for the energy transition,
brings about shared local socio-economic benefits and keeps value added in the communities. Indeed,
RE production is becoming an economic opportunity for citizens, farmers, cooperatives, SMEs, local
communities, charities and NGOs instead of, or in addition to, traditional energy companies. It
stimulates local development, social innovation and cooperation. Decentralised schemes enable
individuals and communities to share the costs and benefits of renewables and to identify possibilities
for better matching supply and demand (e.g. in collective heating schemes). Where policy frameworks
allow for this, civic renewable energy becomes a net creator of local jobs and economic growth.
The EESC study revealed that the development of RE is advancing faster, especially in those Member
States in which local people, individually or jointly, have been enabled to implement their own citizen
energy initiatives. The key precondition for this development has been well–designed support schemes
and good regulatory frameworks for civic renewable energy. In order to take advantage of this new
1 COM/2013/0175 final.
6. 6
opportunity, EU and Member States' climate and energy policies should give much greater priority to
linking decentralised RE production with regional and local development. The time is ripe for
introducing a strong, stable and consistent set of supporting structures for civic renewable energy to
move Europe towards the low-carbon economy.
1.1.4 An enormous potential that is largely untapped
The study revealed that, five years after the adoption of the Renewable Energy Directive, national
policy documents contain hardly any reference to a consistent strategy aimed at supporting
decentralised renewable energy production for the benefit of local communities. The study team could
find no signs of a consistently-implemented government strategy aimed at promoting civic energy in
any of the Member States visited. Quite the opposite: policy instability and recent reforms of the
regulatory frameworks for renewables in all the countries studied have resulted in uncertainty,
reluctance to make new investments and concerns among stakeholders about the future of civic
energy.
1.2 Key recommendations
1.2.1 Create a level playing field for renewable energy
As pointed out in the Commission's RED Progress Report 20132, support for the deployment of
renewable energy will continue to be needed for as long as there is no open, competition-oriented
internal energy market in the EU to put an end to market failures and to internalise the health,
environmental and social costs of fossil fuel use. Governments should also work towards phasing out
harmful and inefficient fossil fuel subsidies "that encourage wasteful consumption and undermine
sustainable development", in line with the commitment reaffirmed in the Rio+20 Outcome Document
“The Future We Want”. Carbon pricing is just one possibility for internalising external costs by raising
the relative cost of technologies based on fossil fuels.
1.2.2 Make decentralised, civic renewable energy a policy priority
A new energy policy cannot be implemented without the support of the citizens; but with their support,
policy goals can be achieved faster than many would imagine. The EESC recommends that local,
national and EU policy-makers make civic ownership of renewable energy production an explicit
priority. The next European Commission Renewable Energy Progress Report, due in 2015, should
look behind the bare figures and assess the extent to which bureaucratic hurdles have been removed,
and market access for new, smaller players has been developed.
1.2.3 Establish stable policy frameworks to support civic renewable energy:
Administrative procedures for civic energy should be made simple, fast and affordable.
Costs and waiting times for connecting civic energy projects to the grid must be reasonable and
system operators should face penalties in the event of non-compliance.
One-stop shops should offer guidance to small investors from the feasibility/planning stage
through to deployment.
2 COM(2013) 175.
7. 7
Electricity from renewable sources should be granted feed-in priority over fossil fuel and nuclear
power.
Civic renewable energy should be exempt from procedures creating disproportionate burdens,
costs and insecurity, such as direct marketing obligations.
Feed-in tariffs should be the main form of support for civic renewable energy. It provides a simple
and reliable way for producers to calculate their investments and returns accurately. The
investment certainty increases the chances for small developers to obtain the necessary credits. FiT
can and should be constantly fine-tuned to decreasing investment costs.
In order to address supply fluctuations and their dramatic effect on peak electricity prices, the
system of FiTs could be complemented by energy management mechanisms to deal with
fluctuations, e.g. net metering (see below), smart grids and the development of storage capacity.
Member States should be very cautious about using tenders for RE, since complex and expensive
procedures place a disproportionate burden on small-scale producers and may effectively exclude
civic energy from RE support. Giving large centralised producers an advantage and reducing
competition could increase consumer prices. Furthermore, tenders would not function where the
energy market does not exist. The Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy
2014-2020 should be clarified in this respect.
Producers of civic energy should be entitled to net-metering and support for power production.
EU Structural and Cohesion Funds as well as national budgets should earmark the funds needed to
ensure that progress of renewables and of decentralised energy generation is not slowed down due
to grid limitations.
1.2.4 Empower active civil society dialogue on energy policy
Renewable energy policy should be designed and implemented in continuous dialogue with civil
society stakeholders in order to develop a common understanding, shared goals, support for
implementation, as well as a culture of cooperation and mutual trust. The EESC's European
Energy Dialogue should be instrumental in this respect.
Civil society should be empowered to participate in the development of the Member State climate
and energy action plans, and in monitoring and reviewing their implementation.
Strategies, funding programmes and support measures at the EU, national, regional and local
levels should be monitored and reviewed with the active involvement of civil society, in order to
ensure that they contribute to, and do not harm, civic energy. In particular, the introduction of
disputed measures such as direct marketing requirements or tenders for renewable energy
generation should be closely observed, in order to identify and quickly correct possible adverse
impacts on civic energy.
1.2.5 Launch a transparent dialogue on energy prices, costs and benefits
As debates on energy policy are often dominated by short-term price concerns, a transparent public
debate needs to be launched on energy costs and prices. RE has very low external costs: a major
difference compared to conventional energies, which transfer significant health and environmental
costs to present-day society as well as to the next generations. Clear and comprehensive information
should be made publicly available to create the full picture of costs and benefits associated with
subsidies to renewables, to fossil fuels and to nuclear energy; including the external costs of human
8. 8
health and environmental quality as well as the benefits arising from avoided imports and from energy
security. As pointed out in the Commission's RED Progress Report 20133, even though the costs of
renewable technologies are constantly decreasing, financial, legal and administrative policy measures
are still needed to support the deployment of renewable energy for as long as there is no open,
competition-oriented internal energy market in the EU to put an end to market failures and to
internalise external costs.
1.2.6 Address the social consequences of the energy transition
While the net impact of the energy transition on jobs and incomes is expected to be positive, some
conventional energy sectors are experiencing market and job losses (which are not necessarily related
to the rise of renewable energy). Governments should take responsibility for managing the socio-
economic impacts from the transition to a low-carbon economy, to the ultimate benefit of society as a
whole. National social transition strategies must be closely integrated with renewable energy
deployment in order to ensure a smooth transition, provide the new job skills needed and address any
negative social impacts on jobs and socially weak households in a targeted way. Governments must
ensure that the cost of support for civic renewable energy is fairly spread through society.
2. Introduction
European Union (EU) policy-makers have jointly set a clear political goal: CO2 emissions are to be
reduced by 80-95% by 2050. Europe will be transformed into a resource-efficient and climate-friendly
low-carbon economy. This agenda is not solely driven by climate change concerns. A revolution in
energy policy is needed to deal with the challenges related to the finite nature of fossil fuels, as well as
to put an end to Europe's dependency on energy imports from politically unstable regions. Energy
systems need to be developed in a way that will ensure clean, secure and affordable energy for the
consumers of today, as well as for future generations. Energy production planning must factor in
social, environmental and health externalities and take account of impacts on future generations.
Renewable energy (RE) has a central role to play in this transition. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy
Directive (RED)4 was conceived to promote the production of RE and to increase security of supply. It
requires that each Member State (MS) achieves a certain share of RE sources in its final energy
consumption by 2020, thereby contributing to an overall EU objective of a 20% share of renewables.
The EU 2030 climate and energy framework sets a further increase of this share to at least 27% by
2030. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) supports this target5 but demands that
national RE targets be set at Member State level which would enable the Commission to impose
measures and ensure that Member States deliver towards the common objective.
In his mission letter to the new Energy Commissioner, Commission President Juncker wrote: “We also
need to strengthen the share of renewable energies on our continent. This is not only a matter of
3 COM(2013) 175.
4 Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament andof the Councilof 23April 2009 onthe promotion ofthe use of energy from
renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC.
5 EESC Opinion on A policy framework for climate and energy 2020-2030 (NAT/636).
9. 9
responsible climate policy. It is, at the same time, an industrial policy imperative if we still want to
have affordable energy at our disposal in the medium term. I strongly believe in the potential of
“Green Growth” and I want the EU to become the world number one in renewable energies.”
The EESC has acknowledged the technical, economic and social challenges associated with the
transition to a resource-efficient, low-carbon economy. Concerns have been voiced about the
distribution of the costs and benefits of the transition, about integrating dispersed and fluctuating
energy sources into the supply system, about new infrastructure and local opposition to certain types
of renewable energy infrastructure. Good work is being done towards resolving these challenges. The
costs of renewable energy technologies have been falling thanks to technological development and
market deployment and progress is being made in developing smart grids and other solutions to
manage fluctuating supply and demand.
The EESC embarked on this study, well aware of the fact that the design and implementation of
renewable energy policies is about market structures and socio-economic aspects at least as much as it
is about technical and technological questions. The study therefore does not aim to analyse the
technical challenges, which are subject to other ongoing debates. Instead, it looks into the much less
explored topic of the role that civil society is playing, or could and should be playing, in this major
transformation process.
Is civil society's role confined to observing and accepting new policies and projects? Are civil society
actors consulted and if so, what are the consequences, if any? Or is civil society fully integrated and
empowered to play an active, perhaps even a principal role in a new, more decentralised system of
renewable energy production? Finally, what are the success factors and the challenges in this regard?
So far, civil society has only been peripherally involved in energy production. The energy sector has
been highly centralised and the roles have been clearly divided. Traditional - and still mainstream -
energy production has occurred in a few large central units, most of them fossil fuel or nuclear power
plants. A very small number of large energy companies have dominated the market, for example: four
in Germany, six in the UK and one in France. Citizens, businesses and industry have been passive
consumers paying for energy products.
The development of low-carbon energy will bring about fundamental changes in the energy sector.
Renewables are by their nature more decentralised because they tap resources that are often locally
available and impossible or too expensive to transport. Energy and electricity production will take
place in the immediate living environment of people, meaning that energy infrastructure will be much
more visible in the landscape.
Policy needs acceptance to be successful. This has been true for earlier energy policies, and is
probably even more valid for future policies. It is not only the overall EU climate policy that needs
civil society support: every single project, every wind, solar or biogas facility needs the acceptance of
local people. Projects are more likely to find acceptance when the people affected recognise the
benefits from the changes in their living environment; and even more so if they benefit directly from
these changes.
10. 10
From the perspective of global climate change, it does not matter who owns or operates a wind
turbine. From the perspective of policy acceptance, this can be crucial. The implementation of the
RED – and indeed, of climate policy – is therefore closely linked to the question of who is given
preferential access and opportunity to produce and gain from RE: external investors who use a
region's local resources to the advantage of their businesses, or local people who can tap into their own
sun, biomass and wind resources, and generate not only energy but also new regional value,
opportunities and jobs. This is not to suggest that the transition to RE can or should be carried out by
small producers alone. Rather, private individuals and communities must be empowered to compete
with large investors in order to derive local value and play their important part in the energy transition.
The RED recognises the opportunities for growth and employment that regional and local production
of energy from renewable sources brings about. It calls on the MSs to support national and regional
development measures and to promote the use of structural funding in this area, even if they do not
explicitly acknowledge or support community-led renewable energy development.
The SDO study investigated experience with this kind of scheme in six Member States. This report
presents the EESC study findings and puts forward recommendations to the EU institutions and
national policy-makers aimed at improving the regulatory conditions for decentralised RE production
by, and for the benefit of, local communities and civil society.
The report is accompanied by national reports containing additional information about each of the six
Member States visited in the course of the study.
3. The study approach
3.1 Objectives
The study aims to answer two specific questions:
What is the level of involvement of civil society in the implementation of the RED? Does civil
society only act as an informed observer? Is it consulted in decision-making processes? Or is it
directly involved in energy production, thus both contributing to, and benefiting from, the
transition to a low-carbon economy?
To what extent do national and regional regulatory frameworks (political, administrative,
financial and technical arrangements) support the production of RE by civil society?
In order to answer these questions, the study tried to identify strategies and concrete measures at
different levels of governance that empower civic RE production and link it to local community
benefits, highlighting good examples and putting forward policy recommendations.
In this report, we use the term civic renewable energy to refer to decentralised renewable energy
generation owned (at least 50%) or operated by citizens, local initiatives, communities, local
authorities, charities, NGOs, farmers, cooperatives or SMEs, creating a stream of local value that can
stay within the region. Not all RE projects bring value to local communities. The definition would not
11. 11
include e.g. wind parks belonging to large corporations, the added value of which does not benefit the
local communities.
3.2 Methodology
The study was based on the collection and analysis of different information sources and above all, on
feedback received from a wide range of stakeholders during missions to selected Member States. The
following actions were carried out:
Desk research of literature, statistical data and national policy documents;
Interviews with key EU level stakeholders;
Online questionnaire open to authorities and stakeholders covering different aspects of the national
administrative, technical and financial policy frameworks for RE;
Missions to six selected Member States,which included workshops and hearings with authorities
and stakeholders, as well as visits to local renewable projects. These six countries were selected so
as to (a) include a balanced geographical representation of the EU, (b) provide examples of “new”
and "old" Member States,and (c) represent different starting points and levels of implementation
of the RED.
The missions took place on the following dates:
- Germany: 11 to 13 March 2014;
- Poland: 7 to 9 April 2014;
- France: 23 to 24 April 2014;
- United Kingdom: 5 to 7 May 2014;
- Lithuania: 13 to 15 May 2014;
- Bulgaria: 14 to 16 July 2014.
It is worth noting that in all of the countries visited, around the time of the study visits, RE policy
frameworks and measures were undergoing significant reforms. Thus, the team had the opportunity to
draw on heated national debates on these reforms' potential impacts on civic energy. Reports on each
of these missions are appended to this report.
Given the focus on civil society, the study looked into RE sources in which small producers and local
communities are typically involved: solar (photovoltaic and thermal collectors), wind, biomass,
biogas, and micro–hydropower generation.
4. Progress in renewable energy in the EU: a snapshot
The EU economy is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels and on fuel imports, but the share of
renewables in gross final energy consumption has been rising steadily. It reached 14.1% in 20126, still
in line with the RED target of a 20% share of renewables in EU gross final energy consumption by
6 Eurostat (2014).
12. 12
2020. However, progress has been varying widely across the EU, and it slowed down in 2014. If this
trend continues, the EU may fall short of its 20% target.
Figure 1: Share of energy from renewable sources per Member State (% of gross final energy consumption)
Source: EUROSTAT news release, STAT/ 14/ 37, 10.3.2014
According to Eurostat data (2012) renewable energy production in the EU relies mostly on biomass
(46%) and hydropower (16%) but new types of renewables such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind
are gaining ground and bringing new possibilities for the involvement of civil society.
Figure 2: Installedelectrical capacity for renewable energy in the EU-28.
Source: based on Eurostat data
The final consumption of electricity from renewable sources (RES-E) reached 23.5% in 2012. This
success is partly explained by the spectacular growth in the PV sector (which represented 23% of the
installed capacities of RES-E in the EU by 2012) and in the wind sector (which represented 35% of
installed RES-E capacity).
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2012
Europe 2020 target
13. 13
Progress on renewables in the heating and cooling energy sector (RES-H&C) has been much slower:
15.6% in 2012. Biomass accounts for 15% of heat production and 87% of RES H&C. Biogas lags
behind with only 3% of RES–H&C. Biomass is often used to produce heat in combined heat and
power plants (CHP), but a large part of it is burned in inefficient equipment. Wood biomass is still
widely used in Eastern Europe, including large imports from Russia (in the case of Poland). The
energy produced is counted as renewable energy and producers obtain green certificates, although in
effect it brings no benefit for emissions reduction and sometimes contributes to deforestation.
Furthermore, most CHP plants co-fire a mixture of coal and biomass, making the reported share of
renewables difficult to monitor: an issue raised by stakeholders in Poland, Lithuania and Bulgaria. In
Poland, 70-75% of all green certificates went to coal-powered electricity plants in the period between
2007 and 2011, increasing their profits and at the same time reducing the price of green certificates.
This reduction, in turn, hit wind energy facilities hard and made them economically unviable.
It is important to note that the political and societal debate on renewable energy has focused until now
primarily on the production of electricity, while heat generation has had a less prominent role. This
priority needs to be reconsidered because energy use is significantly higher in the heating sector than
in the electricity sector. Furthermore, a combination of renewable electricity production with heat
production could be an excellent opportunity to develop urgently needed storage capacities (power to
heat), which could be tapped into repeatedly in the context of fluctuating renewable energy
production.
5. The case for civil society involvement and for civic renewable energy
During the study visits, the EESC was given ample evidence of the importance of civic renewable
energy: from obtaining the necessary short- and medium-term acceptance for new production
facilities, to mobilising the funds for the transition, achieving long-term self-sufficiency, deriving
regional value and local development, and putting an end to traditional monopolies in the energy
sector. This does not suggest that the transition to renewable energy should, or can be carried out by
civil society alone. Rather, it is important to ensure that regulatory frameworks create a level playing
field that enables civil society to compete with large centralised investors and to play its important role
in the energy transition.
5.1 Civil society demands an active role
The EESC study visits to the six EU Member States, as well as the debates with civil society
organisations in Brussels, delivered some unexpected results. The study team witnessed a very open
civil society7 with stakeholders who not only supported renewable energy but also clearly recognised
an opportunity for themselves in the energy transition. Strikingly, the discussions with these
stakeholders were dominated by socio-economic considerations and were focused on community
benefits, rather than on climate change mitigation objectives.
7 These includedrepresentatives of small businesses, academia, environmental NGOs, communitygroups, cooperatives, local and
regional authorities.
14. 14
In the various Member States, the team met civil society representatives with very differing levels of
confidence. In Germany, stakeholders declared: "we do not just support the energy transition; we ARE
the energy transition. The Energiewende was not brought about by politicians or the large energy
companies; it was we who made it happen. With our pressure, the framework conditions were
established that made the transition possible." In Poland, Lithuania and Bulgaria, on the other hand,
the strong interest in civic renewable energy was offset by extreme frustration with the administrative
and financial barriers to participation in policy processes and in energy production. Instead of
recognising the value and potential of the new climate and energy policy, governmental
representatives in these three countries seemed to see predominantly threats and difficulties related to
civic RE. On the one hand, they raised doubts about the capacity of RE to meet significant parts of
electricity needs (an argument often used in the early stages of the energy transition) and, on the other,
they expressed concerns about the high rate of RE deployment.
From civil society, there was a clear and consistent response to the key question of the study: civil
society wants to participate actively in the production of renewable energy. As summarised by a
participant in the debate in Poland: "We do not want to watch others take advantage of our region's
sun and wind. We want to use our resources for our own benefit." Finally, the team identified an
enormous desire for information, for best practice examples and success models, as well as for lessons
learned, in order to avoid repeating the mistakes made by others.
5.2 Civic energy increases local acceptance of renewable energy infrastructure
A successful energy transition requires a high level of acceptance by civil society. During the EESC
missions, stakeholders referred to cases of local opposition to RE infrastructure, particularly against
wind parks. These are typically cases where renewable energy infrastructure has been put in place by
external investors, with little benefit or compensation to local communities. On the contrary, where
citizens and local entrepreneurs have been involved in an RE project, they were much more likely to
appreciate its benefits and to accept possible inconveniences of an aesthetic or other nature. An
excellent example of the importance of local involvement was provided during an EESC debate on
community renewable energy in November 20138. The Samsø Region in Denmark now meets all its
energy needs from renewable sources, mostly due to citizen involvement through community-run
projects. As part of an effort to maintain public support and involvement in the renewables sector,
wind developers are required to sell shares to local citizens.
Last but not least, civic renewable energy raises awareness, empowers and motivates citizens to
express their opinions and to have a say in policy-making. The process strengthens democracy and the
legitimacy of political decisions. It can contribute to improving dialogue and building trust and
cooperation between the institutions and civil society.
8 "Local renewable energy initiatives: positive examples, success factors andthe role of civil society", held in November 2013.
http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.events-and-activities-local-renewable-energy.
15. 15
5.3 Civic energy unlocks funds needed for the renewable energy transition
It is beyond doubt that the deployment of renewable energy and the infrastructure associated with it
will require significant financial means9. It is recognised that the majority of funds will have to come
from the private sector. Well-designed support schemes have been able to unlock and leverage an
incommensurable amount of investment by citizens, communities and local entrepreneurs. The
potential for civic investment in the energy transition has only been partially realised, with substantial
differences between the EU MSs. Denmark and Germany are probably the best examples of the
transition being largely carried out by civil society.
In Germany, civic renewable energy investments amounted to EUR 5.14 billion in 2012, whereas
traditional large energy suppliers invested only EUR 1.7 billion in RE in the same year. The current
installed PV capacity in Germany is more than 30 000 MW and it is increasing at a rate of 7 MW per
day (which is equal to the total currently installed PV capacity in Poland). Almost half of the capacity
is in the hands of more than 1 000 energy cooperatives, citizens and farmers:
Figure 3: Ownership distribution of installed RE capacity for power production in Germany (2012).
Source: Blog "German Energy Transition" (2014)
In the earlier stages of the Energiewende, the high investment costs and correspondingly high feed-in
tariffs for solar power production created incentives for private citizens to feed produced solar
electricity into the grid. There has been a definite change in this area. The dramatic technological
developments and corresponding reduction in investment costs have made it more profitable for small
producers to use their electricity themselves, thus reducing the amounts of electricity bought from the
grid. This, in turn, has promoted efforts to optimise own energy consumption so that it takes place
predominantly during own production peaks and reduces e.g. energy use peaks in the late afternoon or
early evenings.
9 This certainlydoes not concernrenewable energy alone. The EuropeanCommission's 2030 Climate and Energy Package states
that "the costs of a lowcarbontransitiondo not differsubstantiallyfromthe costs that will be incurredin any event because of the
needto renewan agingenergy system, risingfossil fuel prices andadherence to existingclimateandenergy policies. There will,
however, be a major shift away fromexpenditureon fuels towards innovativeequipment with highaddedvalue that will stimulate
investments for innovative products and services, create jobs and growth and improve the Union's trade balance".
16. 16
Decentralised renewable energy means that production typically occurs closer to the consumer, with
significant potential for reducing grid infrastructure costs. Furthermore, the EESC study found that
small-scale producers have significantly lower profit margin expectations compared to large-scale
producers.
5.4 Civic renewable energy promotes community development and fights energy poverty
Renewable energy harnesses resources that are locally available. When the right regulatory
frameworks are in place, energy production by citizens and local communities creates a new stream of
value that can stay within the region. Some RE communities are able to keep immense financial
resources that used to be spent on energy and fossil fuel imports, and are now invested in new local
jobs and socio-economic development.
One such example is the community of Treuenbrietzen in Germany, which established, together with
its citizens, its own sun, wind and biogas facilities. The biogas facility produces both electricity and
heat, distributed via the community's new, self-installed heating grid. Additional heating needs are
partly covered by a woodchip furnace. In addition, the community has established a separate
electricity grid and is in the process of building its own energy storage capacities in order to become
energy independent. Local electricity prices amount to 16.6 ¢/kWh which is 30-35% below the
average electricity prices in Germany. Heat is delivered to consumers at the price of 7.5 ¢/kWh, far
below the domestic gas or oil heating costs. Treuenbrietzen is evidence of the fact that local RE can in
fact save money.
Civic renewable energy initiatives promote cooperation among different local players, as demonstrated
by the explosive growth in energy cooperatives across the EU (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Provisional figures and map of registered community energy cooperatives.
Source: REScoop project (2014)
Local RE initiatives are also associated with innovative business models, social enterprise
development and increased cooperation. The study team witnessed a wealth of business and social
innovation in local communities. The biogas facility cooperating with several farms, for example,
decreased the business risk and secured raw materials, while simultaneously solving the environmental
17. 17
problem of manure. In Bulgaria, home-owners in an apartment building formed a cooperative and
invested the rent paid by a GSM operator for placing an antenna on the house roof, in solar thermal
panels for the entire building. Another example of creative problem solving was a German energy
cooperative which built a roof of solar panels over the stands of the local football stadium, and re-paid
its members using the income from the energy sold, as well as providing them with annual tickets to
the team's games. In Wales, the team visited a local renewable energy initiative in the Talybont-on-
Usk community which provided heating for the local school, as well as two electric cars powered by
PV panels on the municipal building roof, for the use of local inhabitants.
In Poland's rural areas, poor grid quality results in frequent blackouts, reduced voltage levels and
associated problems. Stakeholders consulted during the EESC mission presented estimates that
developing local renewable energy in these territories would in fact be cheaper than the 30-60 billion
PLN10 required until 2020 to entirely renovate the long-distance electricity grid. In its 2020 Regional
Development Strategy, the Podlaskie Region in Poland recognises RE as an opportunity to strengthen
the region's economy. It refers to the fact that more than 5 billion PLN11 annually flow out of the
region for energy imports. As electricity and heat can already be produced locally from RES at lower
cost, the Regional Strategy puts a "focus on developing a local decentralised energy system and
fostering a local RE revolution, with people as the owners of energy and heat producing installations."
It explicitly states that investments should be primarily in local citizens' hands in order to prevent the
loss of value for the region.
5.5 Civic renewable energy production is a net creator of jobs and economic growth
The growth in renewables brings about new jobs along its value chain. This job generation effect is
particularly high in the sectors of energy efficiency (0.38 job-years/GWh), PV (0.87), biofuels (0.21)
and wind (0.17) when compared to coal and gas (0.11). Another interesting aspect is that most of the
jobs in the RE market are for highly qualified workers, and 5 out of 6 jobs are local. The EU must
therefore ensure that knowledge and skills are developed to match the needs of this new labour market.
At the same time, even though the net outcome of renewables' expansion is positive, the energy
transition will mean that some sectors (based on fossil fuels and in some countries, nuclear) – will face
a loss of markets and jobs. Concerns were especially strong in those countries where these sectors
employ a large number of people. National strategies must therefore be put in place to ensure a smooth
transition, develop the new skills needed and address the social impacts of job losses in traditional
energy sectors.
6. The debate on renewable energy prices and costs
Public debates about energy policy are usually dominated by price concerns, and the costs of RE
support were a recurring topic during the study. In some of the countries visited, RE support
mechanisms have been attacked by policy-makers and the media as a reason for rising household
10 Ca EUR 7 billion.
11 Ca EUR 1.5 billion.
18. 18
energy prices. In terms of the economics of the RE business, it is essential to understand that public
support is indeed still needed for attaining the climate and energy targets and long term benefits.
The question arises as to the time-scale over which society is trying to limit costs. A cheap solution in
the short term could turn into an expensive solution in the long run, and vice-versa. This argument per
se is sufficient to question those who consider renewables expensive and a burden to public budgets12.
In reality, as is commonplace in the technology arena, larger volumes of production lead to constantly
decreasing RE unit costs (the so called "learning rate"). Production costs for RE facilities depend
primarily on investment costs. Until recently, RE technologies were more expensive than coal and
nuclear. The reason was that these technologies were very immature: technological development took
place back-to-back with market introduction. In 2008 in Germany, the FiT for PV were 46 ct/KWh,
corresponding to higher productions costs at that time; today, they are a maximum of 12.8 ct/KWh for
small facilities up to 10 kW (and much lower for larger installations) corresponding to the continuous
costs of the technology.
Figure 5: Average consumerprice (net system price) for ready installedroof PV facilitiesof up to 10 kWp.
Source: BSW
Little by little, RE technologies are reaching price levels that can compete with coal, gas and
nuclear13. On-shore wind can already compete – even though the external environmental and health
costs of fossil and nuclear are not fully reflected in retail prices. It can be expected that technological
developments will continue to drive RE investment costs down. At the same time, sun and wind are
renewable resources which come at no cost. It is therefore likely that renewable electricity will soon be
competitive even without subsidies. This trend has been confirmed by the European Commission,
12 This is the right place to point out that fossil fuel producers have received $ 523 billion in subsidies in 2011 alone.
13 Some of the stakeholders interviewedreferredtothe debate(which was still ongoingat the time of the study visits) on the two
nuclear reactors in the UK,HinkleyPoint C. In the meantime, theEC has approvedthe subsidies that were under discussion. Over
the next 35years, the future operator, EDF, will receive10.9 ¢ for everykWhof producedelectricity,adjustedto annual inflation
rates. This tariff significantly exceeds the time span and the level of the German FiT for wind energy.
19. 19
which pointed out in its Communication on the Climate and Energy Framework 2020-203014 that “the
costs of a low-carbon transition do not differ substantially from the costs that will be incurred in any
event because of the need to renew an aging energy system, rising fossil fuel prices and adherence to
existing climate and energy policies. There will, however, be a major shift away from expenditure on
fuels towards innovative equipment with high added value that will stimulate investments for
innovative products and services, create jobs and growth and improve the Union's trade balance...”.
Decentralised renewable energy means that production typically takes place closer to the consumer,
with significant potential for reducing grid infrastructure costs. Furthermore, the EESC study found
that small-scale producers have significantly lower profit margin expectations than those typical for
large-scale producers.
What is more, many of the benefits of renewable energy, making it a priority for support, go far
beyond economic figures. RE contributes to mitigating climate change, creating jobs and local
sustainable livelihoods, increasing energy security, reducing dependency on imports from unstable
regions and achieving a more favourable trade balance for the EU due to a lower reliance on fossil
fuels. Policies that ignore these long-term effects and the numerous co-benefits of RE can lead to
detrimental future energy mixes. It would be detrimental to stop this encouraging development in its
tracks by overturning support policies just as they are starting to bear fruit.
While the net impact of the energy transition on jobs and household incomes is expected to be
positive, some conventional energy producers are already experiencing market losses with
implications for jobs in these sectors. This issue should be addressed urgently and proactively.
National strategies must be put in place and closely coordinated with the renewable energy
deployment policy in order to ensure a smooth and fair transition, provide the new job skills needed
and address any negative social impacts on jobs and socially weak households in a targeted way. The
true problem of energy poverty should be addressed through concrete and targeted measures, but not
used as an argument for maintaining energy prices artificially low (e.g. in Bulgaria). The true problem
of job losses in conventional sectors (some of which are not necessarily related to the rise of renewable
energy) should not be used as an argument to stall progress in decentralised renewable energies (e.g. in
Poland). Governments should take responsibility for managing the socio-economic impacts of the
transition to a low-carbon economy to the ultimate benefit of all sectors of society.
7. What preconditions are needed to unlock the potential of civic energy?
7.1 A level playing field
As pointed out in the Commission's RED Progress Report 201315, even though the costs of renewable
technologies are constantly decreasing, financial, legal and administrative policy measures are needed
to support the deployment of renewable energy for as long as there is no open, competition-oriented
internal energy market in the EU to put an end to market failures and to internalise the health,
14 COM(2014) 15.
15 COM(2013) 175.
20. 20
environmental and social costs of fossil fuel use. Carbon pricing is one possibility for internalising
external costs. It raises the relative cost of technologies based on fossil fuels. Revenues obtained from
the sale of allowances can be recycled or allocated to RE support funds.
7.2 A stable and coherent policy framework
Policy coherence and stability is a key factor for any investment, including in RE, as was emphasised
by stakeholders during all case study visits. Stable and streamlined policies enable investors to plan,
address risks and get access to credit.
For example, the German Renewable Energy Act (EEG) with its central instruments of easy grid
access, priority for RES, marketing by the grid operator and guaranteed FiT for 20 years, has provided
excellent investment security and enabled civic energy to develop much faster than anyone could have
imagined.
Changing this stable foundation may have detrimental consequences, beginning with the uncertainty
for the small investor as to whether they would obtain financial support after the planning phase (e.g.
due to the introduction of an annual cap on new installations). However, radical policy reforms were
under discussion16 at or close to the times of the visits to Germany, Poland and France, and in the UK.
In Bulgaria, small producers pointed to contradictory laws and a Government decision to discontinue
the deployment of RE since 2013, after announcing that the 2020 target had been achieved. A
completely unacceptable practice is the retrospective change of framework conditions after the start of
the RE operations, e.g. in Bulgaria, where investors in small-scale PV and wind facilities have faced
insolvency due to the introduction of new taxes and fees on RE. Although the 20% tax on wind and
solar electricity introduced in January 2014 was cancelled by the Bulgarian Supreme Court in July
2014, operators were not reimbursed for the payments they had already made during that period. A
moratorium to PV support schemes in France in 2010 also brought investments to all but a complete
halt.
16 In some cases, such as in Germany and Poland, they have already entered into force.
21. 21
Figure 6: Uncertainty in renewables policies across the EU.
Source: EDP Renováveis (2013)
Not only is legal uncertainty a destabilising factor for investments, but recent policy reforms show a
clear trend of reducing support for small producers and putting them at a disadvantage compared to
large producers (e.g. through the introduction of auctions for RE production). Debates in all of the
countries visited revealed that civic RE producers associated this trend with the Commission's
Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy 2014-202017. These guidelines place
significant limitations on Member States' decisions to guarantee feed-in tariffs to RE investments after
2016. Participants in local hearings acknowledged the need to avoid overcompensation and develop
RE in a cost-effective way. Yet, they referred to recent reforms of renewables support frameworks as
"a race to the bottom." Some pointed to an EU-driven trend towards re-centralisation, hidden behind
the arguments of cost-effectiveness or cost reduction.
According to the International Energy Agency18, "just when renewables are becoming a cost-
competitive option in an increasing number of cases, policy uncertainty is rising in some key OECD
markets." The chilling effect of changing regulatory frameworks is already being felt in 2014, and the
EU is at risk of missing its 2020 target of 20% renewables in gross final consumption.
7.3 A transparent and inclusive policy formulation process
Next to policy stability, the democratic process of policy formulation and reform is a key issue that
emerged in the course of the EESC study. As advocated by the EESC in its European Energy Dialogue
initiative, for any policy to succeed and for its results to be sustainable, it should be developed in an
open and transparent debate with civil society stakeholders at all levels. This is essential for creating a
common understanding of the issues at hand, defining common goals and ensuring broad support for
17 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52014XC0628%2801%29.
18 Medium-TermRenewable EnergyMarket Report 2014 --Market Analysis andForecasts to2020, International Energy Agency.
22. 22
implementation. While the German and Danish energy transitions have been bottom-up processes in
which policy decisions were the result of public pressure, and policies were largely implemented by
civil society, in other countries studied (Bulgaria, Poland) the team could find neither true dialogue nor
trust between the authorities and civic energy producers.
7.4 Simple and transparent administrative procedures
Small producers are not necessarily energy experts and therefore need access to support and guidance,
and administrative procedures that are simple, transparent and completed within reasonable
timeframes. There were very large differences among the Member States studied in terms of the
procedures and the time needed for the approval of small RE installations, and these differences
correlated with the rates of deployment of civic energy. For example, while the approval of a rooftop
solar panel in Germany takes less than a working day and involves the submission of an online
application form, in other countries such as Bulgaria, Lithuania, Poland and the UK (Wales),
stakeholders described complicated procedures stretching over months – or even years. Navigating the
complex, lengthy approval and planning system can be costly and risky for small producers, especially
when the regulatory framework and FiTs undergo significant changes during the same period.
7.5 Support schemes adapted to the needs of decentralised civic renewable energy
Priority dispatching to the grid
Renewable energy should enjoy priority dispatching to the grid over nuclear and fossil fuel energy,
meaning that it should be the first to be sold to electricity system operators. In Germany, this priority
was established by the 2000 Renewable Energy Act, and maintained by the reformed law of 2014.
Feed-in tariffs (FiT)
By far the most common support mechanism for RE are feed-in-tariffs (FiT), which offer long-term
(10–25 years) purchase agreements for the supply of RE into the grid, which is sold on the market by
the grid operator. The producer receives the fixed FiT and is freed of direct marketing requirements.
FiT should be maintained as the main support mechanism for civic RE projects. It provides a simple
and reliable way for producers to calculate their investments and returns accurately. The investment
certainty it creates increases small developers' chances of obtaining the necessary credits.
In the case of the German Energiewende, feed-in-tariffs (FiT) have been financed via the so called
Renewable Energy Levy (EEG levy) which represents the difference between the electricity price on
the stock exchange and the guaranteed FiT (which was >50 ¢/kWh for PV in the early days of the
Energiewende, and is 12 ¢/kWh at the moment). During peak production of electricity, the stock
exchange price goes down, pushing the EEG levy up. However, the slump in electricity prices is not
only due to overproduction of RE but also due to the failure of the ETS; to cheap electricity from coal
plants (which does not internalise environmental and health costs to society); to the lack of a fully
developed electricity market and of grid management and storage capacities.
As technological developments resulted in dramatic cost decreases for wind and PV, governments in
some EU Member States did not react quickly enough to reduce the tariffs for new facilities. As a
23. 23
result, a number of new RE facilities received long-term contracts with FiT significantly exceeding the
investments made, and resulted in disproportionately high profits for these facilities. In fact, FiT can
be easily and regularly fine-tuned to constantly decreasing investment costs. They have already been
reduced and are subject to regular updates in most countries. However, energy prices - and unfairly,
the image of RE and of FiTs - may be affected for years to come by this delayed regulatory reaction.
In order to address supply fluctuations and their dramatic effect on peak electricity prices, the system
of FiTs could be complemented by energy management mechanisms to deal with fluctuations, e.g. net
metering, smart grids and the development of storage capacity (see below).
Feed-in premiums
Recent policy reforms have seen a major shift to feed-in premiums, which means that RE producers
(above a certain installed capacity) will be required to sell their electricity directly on the energy
market, and would receive a certain premium over the market price. The introduction of marketing
premiums has been a cause for concern for civic energy producers. Direct marketing puts a new and
significant logistical burden on small and medium-sized producers, and reduces their chances of
obtaining project finance, since a feed-in premium is also less likely to be treated as a bankable
revenue stream by a lender.
Net metering
A significant opportunity to promote civic energy is net metering, which allows grid–connected
producers to use their own power and sell any surplus to the grid. Net metering can enable prosumers
to take from the grid at a later time the exact quantity of electricity which they have fed into it, while
paying only the grid costs. This, combined with energy management measures, could turn the public
grid into an actual "virtual storage." Denmark implemented the system for PV in 1998 with
considerable success. The Lithuanian Parliament, in turn, started debating its first legislative proposal
at the beginning of 2014.
Quota systems
Another common support mechanism is the establishment of RE quota obligations. These systems are
at different levels of implementation and work with varying degrees of success in different countries.
In Poland, for example, energy distributors are obliged to buy "green certificates" from the market,
even if most of these certificates originate from traditional coal plants where biomass (partly imported
from Russia) is co-fired. The incomes from the green certificates were supposed to support the
deployment of RE. However, the EESC study revealed that instead of achieving this, they indirectly
made electricity from coal cheaper. Furthermore, the wide-scale use of biomass has led to a dramatic
reduction in the price of green certificates in Poland and thus of returns e.g. on investments in wind
energy. The green certificate instrument has become completely ineffective, or even counter-
productive. A FiT is in this sense a more predictable instrument that offers better returns to producers,
particularly in the case of cost-intensive technologies.
Investment support
The aforementioned mechanisms reward production, but since most RE are highly capital–intensive,
there are also several instruments addressing the investment barrier. Investors in small- and medium-
capacity facilities are typically given the possibility to choose between receiving an FiT and obtaining
one-off investment support to reduce the initial costs. These schemes can be of particular interest in
24. 24
the regions receiving structural funds. They should be carefully adjusted and managed to avoid
excessive profits, inefficiencies leading to unnecessarily high energy prices and to sub-optimal energy
mixes, or the possible flow of support funds from civic energy to hedge funds.
Box 1: The example of the German Energy Transition (Energiewende).
In the first half of 2014, over 30% of the electricity consumed in Germany came from renewable
sources. The tremendous growth of RE in Germany has been largely due to the German Renewable
Energy Act which came into force in 2000. The act did not explicitly aim to promote civic energy but
it established the framework conditions that enabled civil society to become an active producer of RE.
The act provided for:
Simple planning and approval procedures for investors (no administrative barriers)
Easy access to the grid
Priority grid dispatching for RE over nuclear and fossil fuel
20-year fixed feed-in tariffs
Electricity marketing by the grid operator
Investment support by means of preferential credits for RE facilities from the state Credit
Facility for Reconstruction (KfW)
Covering of the costs arising from the act by means of the Renewable Energy Act Levy on
electricity prices. Particularly energy-intensive industries could be exempt from this levy so as
not to damage their international competitiveness.
In the countries visited by the EESC, a very complex picture of tariffs, quotas, grants and subsidies
emerged. Such complexity is justified in part by the need to differentiate support schemes, but it
should be kept to a minimum:
Differentiation by fuel or technology stimulates the development of technologies with different
costs that cannot directly compete with each other, thereby leading to faster learning rates. It can
also address specificities of the cost structure;
Differentiation by power class avoids excessive profits resulting from economies of scale, and can
also be used to stimulate civic energy, which is usually associated with low power capacities;
Differentiation by energy carrier (e.g. electricity vs. heat) enables the attainment of specific targets
for each. In contrast to the electricity sector, where FiTs are usually paid for more than 10 years,
renewable heat production is mostly stimulated via loans and grants that help to cover investment
costs. The French fonds chaleur is a good example in this respect. Beginning in 2015, Lithuania
will also enact RES-H&C obligations for all new buildings and for existing buildings subject to
major renovations.
7.6 Addressing barriers to civic renewable energy
A cautious approach to tenders
Recent reforms of RE support frameworks introduced tenders in several of the countries studied as the
main procedure for attributing FiTs or premiums for RE. Only very low production capacities will be
25. 25
exempted from the auctioning process in the future. This trend is at least partly driven by the EC State
Aid Guidelines for Energy and Environment.
Stakeholders in all the countries visited raised concerns about complex and expensive tender
procedures, which would also raise financing costs and reduce the chance of obtaining a credit due to
higher investment risks (uncertainty about obtaining the support). This disproportionate financial
burden on small-scale projects, combined with the fact that small producers could hardly deliver the
quantities typically required in tenders, would effectively exclude civil society and local communities
from enjoying the benefits of RE support. It could also destroy competition on the energy markets as
only a few large producers would have the capacity to participate in tenders.
Tenders favour large producers and thus support possible re-centralisation, taking RE production out
of the hands of private individuals and communities. Giving large centralised producers an advantage
could increase consumer prices due to large enterprises' higher profit margin expectations than those
of civic energy producers. Furthermore, tenders would not function where the energy market does not
exist. Experience shared in some of the countries visited (notably in the UK) suggests that tenders
actually increase the overall costs and the risk of project delays and cancellation. Tendering was the
first system of support for renewables in the UK, and it was abandoned in favour of a quota system,
which was then replaced with FiT for projects under 5MW.
Not too rigidcapping of renewable energy targets
A number of EU Member States have put in place mechanisms to slow down the development of RE
by reducing or discontinuing support as soon as their targets for the period have been achieved.
Among the Member States visited during the study, Bulgaria was a particularly striking example: in
2013, the government declared that the national 2020 RE target of 16% had been achieved; since then,
grid operators have used this as an argument to refuse connecting new renewable electricity producers
to the grid. Lithuania capped public support for renewable electricity when it set quite unambitious
targets for each of the main RE technologies. With the exception of hydropower, the capacities were
reached in less than two years.
The need to make the growth of the renewable sector more predictable and to manage any related
social and economic costs may be a valid argument for capping. However, it is crucial that capping
does not turn into an end to the Member States' ambition for energy transition, or into a way to block
progress where it could and should have continued.
Removal of grid connection hurdles
Low power capacities such as those typical for civic energy are usually connected to the distribution
network. Grid connection, either in terms of administrative procedures, waiting times or costs, remains
an issue in many of the countries studied. Although the connection of an RE project to the grid must
be granted according to the RED, the high costs often practiced by some operators effectively prevent
this right from being enjoyed. The number of connection sites for a new project is often limited and
civic energy producers may therefore not be able to connect at a reasonable price. Micro off-grids may
circumvent this shortcoming and even be the right solution from a cost perspective for very remote
26. 26
areas where the grid network is weak or absent. The German EEG law provides an excellent good
practice example in grid connection19.
Exemption from direct marketing
Direct marketing puts a new and significant logistical burden on civic energy producers and reduces
their chances of obtaining project finance, since a feed-in premium is also less likely to be treated as a
bankable revenue stream by a lender.
7.7 Grid development and coordination to adjust to the needs of renewables
Legacy grid systems were designed in times of centralised energy production and unidirectional flows
from large-scale power generators at high voltage to consumers at lower voltage. Grids need to be
adjusted to the characteristics of dispersed and fluctuating RE such as wind, solar, and tidal energy.
Their deployment requires structural changes in the infrastructure combined with better coordination
of electricity markets and power production, as well as energy management solutions to export or store
surplus electricity. Coordination among transmission system operators (TSO) through regional
coordination initiatives is becoming increasingly important. For example, forecasting energy demands,
CORESO is able to inform TSOs from five Member States in advance about expected electricity
surpluses and deficits at national and regional levels so that they are better able to manage their own
networks and address any problems. One of the ways to deal with the intermittence of RE is by
deploying hybrid systems that combine a variety of energy sources,storage and demand management.
If properly managed, the result would be a "smart grid" delivering sustainable, economic and secure
electricity supplies". The EESC team visited an excellent example of such an initiative: the "Nice
Grid" in France aims to optimise energy management and increase the energy autonomy of 1 500
residential, professional and industrial clients, integrating storage and demand side management
solutions and reducing peak load by up to 17%.
19 EEG§ 8 Connection "(1)Gridoperators shall connect to the net immediately and with priority facilities for the production of
electricity fromrenewable sources andfrom mine gas, at thegridpoint which is suitable in terms of voltage level and which is at
the shortest straight-line distance fromthe locationofthe facility, unless this or another grid is shown to have a technically or
economicallymore suitable connectionpoint; the considerationofthe economicallymore suitable connection point should take
into account the direct connection costs. In case one or more facilities with a combinedinstalledcapacity lower than 30 KW are
locatedon a terrainwith analready existinggridconnection, the grid connection point of this terrain shall be considered the
suitable connection point."
27. 27
Figure 7: "Nice Grid" architecture.
Source: Nice Grid (2014)
During the German visit, the study team was made aware of the following statement of the German
Federal Grid Agency on the subject of decentralised production structures: "It is obvious that the
transformation of the energy system can best succeed by close cooperation among all those involved.
[…] We should welcome approaches maximising energy consumption at the source. This has always
been the principle of energy supply as it keeps grid losses to a minimum."20
7.8 Energy management and storage
The intermittent nature of some renewables remains a challenge for supply management. Yet, with the
wide deployment of renewables, new and innovative solutions are coming to the fore. A combination
of renewable electricity production with heat production could be an excellent opportunity to acquire
urgently needed storage capacities, which could be tapped into repeatedly in the context of fluctuating
RE production. Power to heat, i.e. the use of "cheap" renewable electricity oversupply via heat pumps
and hot water reservoirs for heating or cooling purposes, is already a viable alternative in terms of
economics and energy management. A debate on this possibility took place during the visit to France,
and there are projects being implemented in Germany.
8. Conclusions
Civil society, given the right regulatory conditions, has a strong interest and the potential to carry out a
major part of the transition to decentralised, sustainable energy production. In all the countries visited,
civil society stakeholders recognised the business opportunity and showed a very great interest in
participating in RE production in order to generate income and to keep value within the local
communities. Where favourable policy frameworks were in place, small producers quickly moved into
20 "Smart Gridand Smart Market: Keynote Paper of the Federal Grid Agency on the changing energy supply system", 2011.
28. 28
the market, became the main driving force behind the development of renewables and transformed the
national energy landscapes. Renewable energy projects often formed the core of community initiatives
with much broader social, economic and environmental benefits than just energy generation,
encouraging cooperation, social innovation, education, improved local services and local job creation.
Furthermore, owning RE facilities and deriving value from energy production increases citizens’
acceptance of new infrastructure and their tolerance to potential nuisances. The enormous collective
investment, implementation and innovation capacities of civil society provide essential resources for
the transition to sustainable energy.
Yet, the enormous collective potential of civil society to move forward the transition to renewable
energy, as well as the potential of decentralised energy to stimulate local and regional development,
remains largely untapped. The study identified some excellent examples of community involvement
strategies, simplified administrative procedures, financial incentives and facilitated access to the grid
and to markets for small renewable energy producers in the countries visited. Yet in no Member State
did the team find a consistently implemented government strategy aimed explicitly at empowering
civil society and creating a level playing field for civic renewable energy. Quite the opposite: policy
instability and recent reforms of the regulatory frameworks for renewables in all the countries studied
have created greater uncertainty, reluctance to make new investments and concerns among
stakeholders about the future of civic energy. Where complex, lengthy licencing procedures are
combined with constantly-changing support schemes, market access rules that discriminate against
small producers, and – in some cases – new taxes and fees on renewables, small- and medium-sized
investors are put at significant disadvantage compared to large-scale energy producers.
The EESC study identified an urgent need to make decentralised renewable energy production by
citizens an explicit priority for support. National, local and regional authorities should establish targets
for civic energy development, in particular with a view to integrating them into local renewable energy
planning frameworks. Civic energy must be treated specifically by support mechanisms. Grants, loans,
or production support schemes should be designed so as to provide a stable long-term framework for
investments that guarantee a decent, but not excessive, return on investments. Administrative
procedures must be simple, fast and affordable for civic energy producers. We recommend
mainstreaming the procedures in one-stop shops, which would offer guidance to potential investors
and support them during the successive stages of the process (from planning to deployment), and
where all the required paperwork could be dealt with.
Renewable energy policy at EU and Member State levels should be developed and implemented in
continuous dialogue with civil society stakeholders, in order to ensure common understanding, shared
goals, support for implementation and the long-term benefits of a cooperation culture and mutual trust.
The EESC's European Energy Dialogue could be instrumental in this respect. Specifically, it will be
vital that civil society stakeholders are able to participate in the transparent development of Member
States' national energy action plans to achieve the 2030 climate and energy objectives, and in
monitoring and reviewing their implementation. EU, national and regional strategies, funding
programmes, and support measures should be regularly monitored and reviewed with the active
involvement of civil society in order to ensure that they contribute to, and do not harm, civic energy.
In particular, the introduction of disputed measures (such as auctions) should be closely observed in
order to identify and quickly correct possible disadvantages to civic energy.
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Increasing the pace of deploying civic energy requires a paradigm shift in grid planning. Better
network management at different geographical levels and coordination among transmission system
operators are crucial for the successful and massive deployment of renewables. Enormous investments
are needed to expand, modernise, and adapt the grid to the challenges posed by decentralised and
intermittent production. EU Structural and Cohesion Funds should earmark the funds required to
deliver the 2020 climate and energy targets thereby ensuring that the progress on renewables is not
slowed down due to grid limitations.
Public debates about energy policy are usually dominated by price concerns and may even fall victim
to populism. An open and transparent public debate on energy costs and prices is needed. Clear and
comprehensive information should be provided on the costs associated with subsidies provided to
renewables, fossil fuels and nuclear energy, together with benefits from avoided energy imports, as
well as on environmental and health benefits that are difficult to monetise.
Last but not least, while the net impact of the energy transition on jobs and household incomes is
expected to be positive, some conventional energy producers are already experiencing market losses
with implications for jobs in these sectors. This issue should be addressed urgently and proactively.
National strategies must be put in place and closely coordinated with the renewable energy
deployment policy in order to ensure a smooth transition, provide the new job skills needed and
address any negative social impacts on jobs and socially weak households in a targeted way. The true
problem of energy poverty should be addressed through concrete and targeted measures, but not used
as an argument for maintaining energy prices artificially low (e.g. in Bulgaria). The true problem of
job losses in conventional sectors (some of which are not necessarily related to the rise of renewable
energy) should not be used as an argument to stall progress in decentralised renewable energies (e.g. in
Poland). Governments should take responsibility for managing the socio-economic impacts from the
transition to a low-carbon economy to the ultimate benefit of all sectors of society.
*
* *
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Appendices
A.1. Reports of the missions to Member States:
Available on www.eesc.europa.eu/red-study
A.2. List of EESC opinions dealing with renewable energy