Flat glass is an inert and irreplaceable material that brings natural light in buildings. Its production from energy efficient furnaces makes it a product of choice for sustainable buildings.
To ensure a proper assessment of the energy performance of windows, heat gains (g-value) have to be considered and balanced with heat losses (u-value), to both minimize heating demand and limit cooling needs. This is the energy balance of windows.
In mid-September, the European Commission came forward with a much-awaited update of its emissions reduction target, which sits at the heart of the European executive’s climate action strategy under the European Green Deal. For the ultimate goal of achieving climate …
Whilst the energy sector is key to the European economy, it also represents two thirds of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions. It therefore plays a central role in the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
The Irish electricity is now able to cope with 65% of electricity coming from intermittent electricity sources like wind and solar – an expertise Energy Minister Denis Naugthen believes can be replicated on a larger scale as Europe moves towards 50% renewable power by 2030.
Isabelle Kocher, the CEO of Engie, wants to "accelerate" the energy transition. After the COP23 in Bonn, she warns that Europe is "running out of time" and supports both "very high and mandatory" targets for energy savings, and for a carbon price floor.
We can achieve on average 30% energy savings in buildings by optimising the systems that control the heating, cooling, hot water and ventilation in our buildings.
District energy can play a key role in providing sustainable heating and cooling. The revision of the Renewable Energy Directive should ensure a regulatory framework that uses this potential.
Euractiv has organised a workshop to discuss the EU's approach towards energy efficiency in buildings.
Water and wastewater facilities are traditionally high energy consumers. Proven technologies exist to turn the water cycle energy neutral and significantly reduce the electricity bill of municipalities.
The European Commission just launched (30 November 2016) a significant package of legislative and policy proposals on many aspects of the Energy Union. It includes proposals for changes to the energy efficiency legislation that affects buildings.
Around 40% of energy used in the EU is consumed in buildings, of which 80% is used for heating and cooling.
The energy transition is bringing fundamental changes for consumers on the energy market. With the availability of new technologies, consumers gain control over their energy use, for the benefit of decarbonisation, security of supply and affordability. Iain Conn, CEO of Centrica, was …
The European Commission is preparing a make-or- break “year of delivery” on its flagship Energy Union strategy, with a steady stream of proposals expected in 2016.
The European Commission presented the first EU initiative addressing the energy used for heating and cooling in buildings and industry.
At the start of 2015, the European Commission shared some sobering statistics. As the world’s largest energy importer, the EU imports 53% of its energy. Ninety-four percent of its transport relies on oil, of which 90% is imported.
EuroACE, the European Alliance of Companies for Energy Efficiency in Buildings, represents fourteen European leading companies involved with the manufacture, the distribution and installation of a variety of energy saving goods and services. The EuroACE member companies employ over 300 000 people and have over 770 production facilities and office locations in the EU. EuroACE works together with the European institutions to help Europe move towards an efficient use of energy in buildings, thereby contributing to the EU's commitments on carbon emissions reductions, job creation and energy security.
The European Commission’s Energy Union strategy is very ambitious and will cut across a number of policy sectors including energy, transport, research and innovation, foreign policy, regional and neighborhood policy, trade and agriculture, according to the EU executive's plan. €119 billion will be invested in the energy transmission projects needed by 2020 and a significant effort in legislative proposals will follow. Solidarity will be the major play card in Europe.
The European Commission is on track to launch infringement procedures against member states which have not properly implement EU law about energy efficiency in buildings.
EU Commissioner responsible for jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness Jyrki Katainen said on Tuesday that the EU will not allocate specific funds from the Juncker plan to pay for renovation projects to boost the energy efficiency of buildings. Katainen added that it was up to the private sector to choose which projects get the cash.
On Wednesday (February 25th) the European Commission launched its Strategy for a Resilient Energy Union. One of the key elements of the Energy Union is that member states’ energy deals with non-EU nations should be scrutinised on a mandatory basis by the European Commission before they are signed. Russia has always insisted that those deals are confidential.
The Energy Efficiency Communication, released by the European Commission earlier this year, proposed a new energy efficiency target of 30% for 2030, a figure that has caused some debate among stakeholders. EU Member States have already signed up to a voluntary objective of reducing the EU's primary energy use by 20% by 2020, measured against 2005 levels.
EU leaders agreed on Thursday to reduce greenhouse emissions by 40% by 2030. They also agreed to increase renewables and energy efficiency by at least 27%.
On his arrival at the December 2014 EU Summit, Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb said that he is 'optimistic' a deal on climate and energy targets will be agreed on Thursday. “We will get 40% emissions reduction and we are looking at 27% in both renewables and energy efficiency,” Stubb said.
