Introduction
The EU-Project EMEEES
The Directive 2006/32/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on energy end-use efficiency and energy services has created a framework to improve energy efficiency within the member states. An overall indicative energy saving target of 9% by 2016 shall be adopted by the member states. In order to implement the Directive, the member states must develop national energy efficiency action plans (NEEAPs), which have to be submitted to the European Commission for their approval. The NEEAPs contain a description of the energy saving programs and measures that will be implemented in order to achieve the indicative target.In order to evaluate the NEEAPs, harmonised methods for monitoring and verification of the energy saving measures are required. According to the EU Directive, in measuring the realised energy savings, a harmonised calculation model which uses a combination of top-down and bottom-up calculation methods shall be used. A bottom-up calculation method means that energy savings obtained through the implementation of a specific energy efficiency improvement measure are measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), in Joules (J) or in kilogram oil equivalent (kgoe) and added to energy savings results from other specific energy efficiency improvement measures. A top-down calculation method means that the amount of energy savings is calculated using the national or larger-scale aggregated sectoral levels of energy savings as the starting point. Adjustments of the annual data are then made for extraneous factors such as degree days, structural changes, product mix, etc. Top-down methods do not provide exact measurements at a detailed level.
The project EMEEES is funded by the European Commission (Intelligent Energy Europe) and deals with the “Evaluation and Monitoring for the EU Directive on Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services”. The project is carried out by a consortium of 21 European partners and coordinated by the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy. The objective of EMEEES is to assist the European Commission in developing harmonised evaluation methods. It aims to design methods to evaluate the measures implemented to achieve the 9% energy savings target set out in the EU Directive (2006/32/EC) on energy end-use efficiency and energy services. It includes the development of concrete methods for the evaluation of programmes, services and measures (bottom-up and top-down), as well as schemes for monitoring the overall impact of all measures implemented in a Member State (combination of bottom-up and top-down methods).
The main results of the project will be:
- a system of harmonised bottom-up, top-down and integrated methods for the evaluation of around 20 types of energy efficiency technologies and/or energy efficiency improvement measures
- a set of harmonised input data and benchmarks for these evaluation methods
- a template and a guide for Member States for the National Energy Efficiency Action Plans
- an agreed method for the European Commission to assess the NEEAPs.
As a first result, a National Energy Efficiency Action Plan Template (NEEAP) was developed. The template contains a proposal for the structure and the main elements of the NEEAP. In addition, it provides guidance for the information that should be provided by the Member States. The NEEAP-Template is available for download.
First National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) of the Republic of Slovenia
The National Energy Program (NEP) of Slovenia was adopted by the national assembly in April, 2004. In the field of energy efficiency, the NEP formulated the following objectives for the year 2010:- increase the efficiency of final energy use in industry, services and transport by 10 % by 2010 as compared to 2004
- increase the efficiency of final energy use in buildings (except in industry) by 10 %, by 2010 as compared to 2004
- increase the efficiency of final energy use in the public sector by 15 %; by 2010 as compared to 2004
- double the share of electricity from co-generation from 800 GWh in 2000 to 1,600 GWh in 2010
The Agency for Efficient Use of Energy (AURE) and the Department of Efficient Energy Use and Use of Renewable Energy Sources (MOP-AURE) within the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning are in charge of the implementation of national programs for energy efficiency in different sectors. Several programmes promoting efficient energy use and the use of renewable energy are currently being developed or running in Slovenia. Their development has been supported by the European Union, under the PHARE programme and other assistance schemes.
In addition, energy efficiency programs are supported through the Ecological fund (Eco-fund). Eco-fund is a public financial institution that promotes environmental investments in Slovenia. Its primary activity is providing soft loans for investments in energy efficiency measures and other ecological projects. The Fund pursues objectives from the National Environmental Action Programme (NEAP), National Energy Programme (NEP) and operational programmes of the ministry of environment and spatial planning.
The Republic of Slovenia has submitted a draft NEEAP to the European Commission in October 2007.