Introduction
Latest News
January 2009
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (formerly Defra) published the results of a scoping study for non-domestic energy efficiency data framework. In May 2008, Defra had commissioned a team to carry out a scoping study into the feasibility of developing an energy efficiency data framework in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors. The consortium was made up of Katalysis Limited, The Bartlett (University College London) and LandInform, and were tasked to design a full pilot and report on the potential benefits and issues that arose. The results can be accessed here.
November 2008
Defra published a report on the potential energy and carbon savings from behavioural measures. In July Defra had commissioned Enviros to analyse the energy saving potential from behavioural and demand-side management measures, within the domestic sector. Enviros used research and interviews to provide the report, which sets out scenarios and proposals for delivering significant additional savings beyond existing policies. The report can be found here.
July 2008
An energy efficiency data frameworks workshop was provided by Defra and Ecofys, in association with the Energy Saving Trust and Katalysis. See the report.
The associated presentation can also be seen here.
May 2008
Defra published a report on developing an improved energy efficiency data management framework.
12 March 2008
Chapter 6 of the UK Governments’ Budget 2008 announced measures to help develop the energy services market.
Background
The EC Directive on Energy End Use Efficiency and Energy Services (ESD) was introduced in 2006, to enhance the cost effective improvement of energy end use efficiency in Member States. The Directive applies to providers of energy efficiency measures, energy distributors, distribution system operators and retail energy sales companies. With the exception of those involved with the EU carbon emissions trading scheme, it also applies to all energy users.
The Directive itself can be accessed here.
The main requirements of the Directive are:
- A national indicative energy savings target of 9% by 2016
- Public sector to fulfil an exemplary role in meeting the target
- Member States are required to place obligations on energy suppliers and distributors to promote energy efficiency
- Requirements on metering and billing to allow consumers to make better informed decisions about their energy use
DECC is working with other Government Departments, the Devolved Administrations (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and Ofgem (the government regulator for the electricity and downstream natural gas markets in Great Britain. DECC coordinates the implementation of the Directive in the UK, and is doing this through five separate workstreams.
Workstream 1: Articles 4 and 14
This workstream requires a UK energy target to be set and monitored.
In accordance with Article 14, the UK produced the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan in 2007. Within this the UK fulfilled Article 4 of the Directive by announcing that we expect to double the EU indicative energy saving target of 9% over nine years by 2016, and deliver 18% saving. The action plan can be accessed here.
Two further plans will also be produced before July 2011 and July 2014.
DECC is also working with European partners on the Evaluation and Monitoring in Energy End-use Efficiency and Energy Services project (EMEEES) to harmonise evaluation and monitoring methods. As part of the framework for overseeing energy savings, a workshop on data requirements was held in September 2007. Papers from the workshop can be requested via email at energyservicesdirective@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Workstream 2: Article 5
Article 5 of the Directive requires the public sector to play an exemplary role by taking up cost effective energy efficiency improvements, to generate the largest savings in the shortest space of time. All public sector organisations must also show leadership by sharing best practice and information, to demonstrate and communicate their energy saving actions.
As part of this, all equipment and vehicles purchased in the public sector must as a minimum conform to the energy efficient product specifications detailed in the Buy Sustainable – Quick Wins list. The specifications will be kept under review to ensure they continue to meet the requirements of the Directive, and can be accessed here.
On 13 December 2007 Defra published a consultation outlining the UK Governments preliminary views of implementing Article 5. In support of this consultation are the following two reports:
Analysis of options for implementing Article 5 of the Energy-End Use and Energy Services Directive
Options for implementing Article 5 of the Energy Services Directive
Workstream 3 and 4: Articles 6-12
These workstreams place obligations on energy suppliers and on developing the market for energy services and energy efficiency improvement measures.
A consultation for these workstreams has provided a summary report which can be accessed here.
The responses generally supported the Government’s preferred approach of voluntary agreements with energy suppliers. Subsequently a number of voluntary agreements with major suppliers and distributors (including trade associations) have been established.
In support of the consultation were the following two reports:
Option appraisal in support of the Energy Services Directive implementation process
Report on supplier obligations, removal of barriers and facilitation of energy services
Following the closure of the consultation period and to help with the development of the voluntary agreements, a series of workshops were held in January and February 2008 with key stakeholders. These were held with the net-bound sector (gas and electricity supplied through the national grids), and the non net-bound sector (non-grid fuels eg coal, heating oil, LPG and wood fuel).
Workstream 5: Article 13
Workstream 5 requires smart metering and better billing, and are considered as part of the Energy Review work on billing and metering led by DECC with involvement from Ofgem.
On 17 October 2007, Defra hosted a stakeholder event on real time display policy, to seek views on maximising the influence of real time energy data. A summary of the real time display workshop is found here.
The Government announced in October 2008 that it intends to mandate electricity and gas smart meters for all households. A public consultation invites views on the type of energy consumption information that should be provided to consumers to maximise their engagement. It also wants opinions on the Government’s expectation that a standalone real-time display would be provided with a smart meter. The consultation also makes proposals in two areas fundamental to rolling out smart meters to domestic households:
- the delivery model or market arrangements for installing and on-going management of smart meters; and
- smart meter functionality.
For non-domestic metering, the Government issued a consultation on advanced/smart metering for small and medium sized sites in July 2008. Building on the responses to that consultation, the Government is now consulting on specific proposals for the introduction of new metering requirements in this sector.
For further information on the national implementation process in the United Kingdom please contact:
Heather Haydock
AEA Energy & Environment
Heather.Haydock@aeat.co.uk
Documents
National Workshop
UK and Ireland EMEEES National Workshop
In March 2008, the ‘UK and Ireland EMEEES National Workshop’ was held in London.
The objective of the meeting was to present and discuss the Energy Services Directive (ESD), the Evaluation and Monitoring in Energy End-use Efficiency and Energy Services project (EMEEES) and its draft methodologies. Participants included Defra, BERR, Sustainable Energy Ireland and The University of Cork.
Case study examples of bottom-up methods for determining energy savings were provided from the EMEEES project, and a number of key points arose during this workshop:
- The three level bottom-up approach was considered appropriate by the participants, due to the flexibility for countries with different levels of data and evaluation experience. In the UK evaluation is usually bottom up, although a range of approaches are used at present, and are appropriate in bottom up modelling of measures.
- The issue of data confidentiality was raised at the workshop. It was highlighted that it would be useful for both the UK and Ireland to know how the data will be used, in order to strengthen the case for special access in other member states.
- It was preferred by the participants that all energy savings from measures that are still saving energy in 2016 will be counted, no matter when these measures were installed. This prevents the possibility of member states being penalised for taking early action.
- The question rose as to how the savings can avoid being double counted, when savings can be attributed to both national and EU level policies. The participants agreed that all national action should be counted, whether it involved implementation of an EU Directive or not.