How to measure the overall energy savings linked to policies and energy services at the national level?

The Energy End-use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive (ESD) of the European Union requires the member states to define and attain an overall target of at least 9 % annual energy savings between 2008 and 2016. Even if this target is indicative, this is the first international framework mandating countries to report on their energy savings results and prove achievement of their targets. The directive thus also required the development of harmonised calculation methods that can be used by member states for this proof and reporting. Existing literature covers most of the usual issues related to energy savings evaluation, but mostly looking at single, given energy efficiency programmes or policies. The evaluation objective for the ESD implementation is different, as it aims at accounting for the whole energy savings achieved in a country. Moreover, one of the main difficulties is the diversity in history and experience on this topic among the member states. In this context, the European project EMEEES has worked out an integrated system of bottom-up and top-down methods for the measurement of energy savings. The paper presents the overview of its final results. The proposals, inter alia, include 20 bottom-up and 14 top-down case applications of general evaluation methods. They enable more than 90 % of the potential energy savings to be measured and reported. They were used as a starting point by the European Commission to develop the methods recently recommended to the member states. Furthermore, the paper briefly discusses the importance of the quantity to be measured-all or additional energy savings - and the effect of measures implemented before the entering into force of the ESD ("early action"), and what this meant for the methods to be developed. It compares the main elements of calculation needed to ensure consistent results between bottom-up and top-down methods at the overall national level. Finally, general conclusions are drawn about what could be the next steps in developing an evaluation system that enables a high degree of comparability of results between different countries

How to measure the overall energy savings linked to policies and energy services at the national level?

From 2006 to 2009, the European project EMEEES, with 21 partners and co-ordinated by the Wuppertal Institute, has worked out an integrated system of bottom-up and top-down methods for the measurement of energy savings. This is to support the implementation of Energy End-use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive of the European Union. The Directive required the development of harmonised calculation methods to be used by Member States to prove that they attain the overall target of 9 % annual energy savings by 2016. The paper presents the overview of the final results on the methods developed by the EMEEES project. The proposals, inter alia, include 20 bottom-up and 14 top-down case applications of general evaluation methods. They enable more than 90 % of the potential energy savings to be measured and reported and were used as a starting point by the European Commission to develop the final methods to be used by Member States – a still ongoing process. Furthermore, the paper briefly discusses the importance of the quantity to be measured – all or additional energy savings – and the effect of past measures (‘early action’), and what this meant for the methods to be developed. It compares the main elements of calculation needed to ensure consistent results between bottom-up and top-down methods at the overall national level. Finally, general conclusions are drawn from the findings of EMEEES about what could be the next steps in developing an evaluation system that enables a high degree of comparability of results between different countries

How much energy saving is 1 % per year? : We still don t know, but we know better how to find out

A crucial prerequisite for the successful implementation of the Energy Service Directive (ESD) is the availability of harmonised calculation methods for the energy savings achieved. Such methods will enable the Member States to prove that they attain the overall target of 9% or more energy savings by 2016. Since 2006, the EMEEES project, implemented under the European Commission’s Intelligent Energy Europe programme by 21 partners and co-ordinated by the Wuppertal Institute, has worked on a set of 20 bottom-up and 14 top-down evaluation methods. It developed (1) an integrated system of bottom-up and top-down methods for the evaluation of energy services and other energy efficiency improvement measures; and (2) a set of harmonised default values for the methods. The paper presents the overview of the final results on EMEEES’ methods. It discusses the importance of measurement for the effectiveness of the ESD, looking at the quantity to be measured – all or additional energy savings – and early action. It compares the main elements of calculation needed to ensure consistent results between bottom-up and top-down methods and presents how EU Member States can prove achievement of ESD targets by EMEEES’ methods. It also includes preliminary results from field tests of some of the developed methods. Finally, general conclusions are drawn, e.g., about the difficulties and opportunities of doing research within a political environment with such a mixed consortium, and of trying to reach consensus or compromises in developing a harmonised evaluation system

How much energy saving is 1 % per year?

In November 2006, the IEE project "Evaluation and Monitoring for the EU Directive on Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services (EMEEES)' started, with 21 partners and co-ordinated by the Wuppertal Institute. It is the objective of this project to support the smooth implementation of the Directive on energy end-use efficiency and energy services. It will develop necessary tools for implementation and monitoring of the Directive: (1) a system of bottom-up, top-down and integrated methods for the evaluation of energy services and other energy efficiency improvement measures, harmonised between Member States; (2) a set of harmonised default data and benchmarks for the methods; (3) a template and a quide for Member States for the Energy Efficiency Action Plans (EEAPs); and (4) an agreed method for the Commission to assess the plans. The project will thereby assist the European Commission with practical advice and support, and will also install a platform for exchange. It will build trust and confidence that the overall target of 9% energy savings within 9 years can be achieved, and will thus support Member States in attaining their target. The paper presents first results from the EMEES project, particularly the analysis of existing good practice, the distinction of measures by type of evaluation method, and the template for EEAPs. It will also present the list of methods for measuring the impact of energy efficiency improvement measures and energy services that will be developed in the project