A new challenge for the energy efficiency evaluation community: energy savings and emissions reductions from urban transportation policies

International audienceThe energy efficiency evaluation community has a large experience about programs for industries, residential and commercial sectors. But now the largest share of the energy consumption growth is due to the transportation sector. Moreover, as the stakes related to the transport sector are considerable, relying on separate actions for technological energy efficiency improvements will not be sufficient. Therefore transport policies now support the development of more integrated approaches. All together, this raises new evaluation issues. This paper first look at what makes or would make the transport specific and different from the other “usual” sectors, as far as the evaluation of energy savings and avoided CO2 emissions is concerned. This is illustrated by a comparison between two simple action types, a car replacement for the transport sector and a boiler replacement for the building sector. Then, taking into account the change toward more integrated action plans, the common evaluation methods used for energy efficiency programs and urban transport planning are discussed, to what extent they can be applied to evaluation of urban mobility plans. Key differences between the building and transport sectors that have an influence on what evaluation methods can be used are: 1) the level of complexity for the definition of the service delivered, 2) the relative importance of variables having long term perspective (building stock) and short term perspective (mobility behaviors). The evaluation of integrated approaches raises additional issues, mainly interactions between the distinct policy measures implemented on a given territory, and causality between the measures implemented and the changes observed. Two interesting tracks stand out: - developing new portfolio approaches starting from available bottom-up methods; - adapting methods used for transport infrastructure design or transport planning. This emphasizes progress that could be achieved by crossing experiences from both scientific communities, evaluation of energy efficiency programs and transport planning

L'évaluation d'opérations locales de maîtrise de l'énergie : un domaine privilégié d'approches pluridisciplinaires

International audienceLa maîtrise de l'énergie s'est imposée comme une priorité dans un contexte de croissance de la demande en services énergétiques, d'épuisement des ressources et de réduction des émissions polluantes. En parallèle, les échelons locaux prennent une importance croissante dans la mise en œuvre des politiques de développement durable. Les agendas 21 se déclinent en local et les Plans Climats en territorial. Les acteurs impliqués dans ces opérations ont des expériences et compétences variées, et recherchent des conseils et expertises complémentaires pour les accompagner dans leurs projets. Cette demande est renforcée par un contexte en pleine évolution : ouverture des marchés de l'énergie à la concurrence, nouveaux instruments d'intervention, nouvelle répartition des rôles entre les acteurs. Elle est aussi suscitée par une volonté de développer des approches territoriales transversales. L'évaluation répond à ces besoins, aussi bien pour rendre compte des résultats atteints, que pour comprendre comment assurer le succès des futures actions ou encore pour former les acteurs à des nouvelles problématiques. Ces objectifs d'évaluation font appel à des ressources dans différents domaines : énergétique, sciences économiques, sociologie, etc. Cet article présente une revue de travaux sur les actions d'efficacité énergétique dans différentes disciplines, pour faire ressortir quels pourraient être les apports d'une approche d'évaluation pluridisciplinaire. Un rapprochement est alors envisagé entre cet aspect pluridisciplinaire de l'évaluation et l'essor des démarches territoriales au niveau local, qui apparaît ainsi comme un lieu privilégié de nouvelles approches expérimentales d'évaluation

Evaluation as a "Learning-by-Doing" Tool for the Implementation of Local Energy Efficiency Activities

International audienceWith the "think global, act local" trends, local levels are taking an increasing role in the implementation of action plans, especially in the field of energy efficiency. An inventory of local energy efficiency operations in France confirmed a significant expansion of these activities, but also highlighted how rare their evaluation is, although a rich methodological evaluation material is available. The research question for this study was then how to fill the gap between theory and practice. This was addressed through studying the issue of evaluation use. The first step was to find in the evaluation literature the key components of evaluation use and the success factors to overcome the barriers to evaluation practice previously identified. This was used to adjust our evaluation methods and approach, and then to apply this to a particular case study. Key success factors for evaluation use were highlighted, such as the constructive and regular contacts between evaluators and program partners, and presenting the evaluation as a win-win collaboration. Finally, the main evaluation use was not to quantify the results of the operation, even if it was initially the most important stakeholder expectation, but to learn how to work together, how to supervise and use an evaluation, and how to improve the operation management and the operations themselves. This way, the evaluation really appears to be a learning-by-doing tool for all stakeholders involved in the implementation of local energy efficiency activities

Evaluation as a "Learning-by-Doing" Tool for the Implementation of Local Energy Efficiency Activities

International audienceWith the "think global, act local" trends, local levels are taking an increasing role in the implementation of action plans, especially in the field of energy efficiency. An inventory of local energy efficiency operations in France confirmed a significant expansion of these activities, but also highlighted how rare their evaluation is, although a rich methodological evaluation material is available. The research question for this study was then how to fill the gap between theory and practice. This was addressed through studying the issue of evaluation use. The first step was to find in the evaluation literature the key components of evaluation use and the success factors to overcome the barriers to evaluation practice previously identified. This was used to adjust our evaluation methods and approach, and then to apply this to a particular case study. Key success factors for evaluation use were highlighted, such as the constructive and regular contacts between evaluators and program partners, and presenting the evaluation as a win-win collaboration. Finally, the main evaluation use was not to quantify the results of the operation, even if it was initially the most important stakeholder expectation, but to learn how to work together, how to supervise and use an evaluation, and how to improve the operation management and the operations themselves. This way, the evaluation really appears to be a learning-by-doing tool for all stakeholders involved in the implementation of local energy efficiency activities

Energetic and exergetic assessment of solar and wind potentials in Europe

International audienceThis paper deals with a physics-based assessment of renewable energy potential in Europe, particularly solar and wind energy sources, using two literature models. A sensibility analysis with the weather data is first done. Actual temperature, pressure, relative humidity, global radiation and wind speed data are employed to develop energy and exergy maps for Europe, based on iso-areas of land-use. These maps are compared with similar existing ones. A good agreement is obtained. A paradoxical result is found for wind exergy efficiency. The yearly average exergy efficiency where wind speed is less than 5 m/s is greater than that where wind speed is greater than 7 m/s. This can be explained by the 'dome' shape of wind exergy efficiency. A solar efficiency map for Europe is also developed to serve as a useful guide for choosing a renewable energy form based on yearly energy production

Local energy efficiency and demand-side management activities in France

http://www.eceee.org/conference_proceedings/eceee/2005c/Panel_1/1202broc/International audienceRecent French political decisions have tended to increase responsibilities for local authorities regarding energy issues. The main frames, which should be the basis for local energy policies and energy efficiency (EE) activities, have been identified. However, past experience has shown that theoretical opportunities do not necessarily lead to actions. This paper compiles an inventory of the local EE activities in France in order to provide an overview of what has been done from 2000 to 2004. This study indicates firstly, what kinds of actions have been done and secondly, whether the local dimension mattered. The analysis of the local dimension was made using criteria defined from the analysis of the theoretical context. The inventory also enables the definition of a practical typology for EE actions, useful for benchmarking works, for the definition of specific objectives, and then for evaluation. Difficulties encountered in collecting data show the need for information systems, which could help for structuring action plans and for making evaluations. This process could take advantage of the future “white certificates” framework, which will change the way actions are reported. Moreover, this paper emphasises the importance of local authorities involved in 75% of the activities encountered. An evolution towards increasing involvement and transverse actions is observed, with twice as many actions taking into account the local context between 2002 and 2004. A good reason to look at the actual trends

Can Energy Savings from Operations Promoting Energy Efficient Behaviors in Office Buildings be Accounted for?

International audienceWhen looking for solutions to mitigate the growth of energy consumption in the commercial buildings sector, research works often focus on the energy performance of buildings. Indeed, many studies established how large the technical improvement potential was in this sector. But cost-effective energy savings can also be achieved in a complementary way by an improved energy management promoting energy efficient behaviors, because energy consumptions depend on both energy performance of buildings and equipments, and end-users behaviors. Past experiences tend to show that if awareness operations were widely disseminated, a significant amount of energy savings could be realized. It is likely that more and more organizations engage such operations. Unfortunately, their real impacts remain rather unknown and uncertain, mainly because they are not perceived as a serious option. Consequently they are implemented in very heterogeneous ways. Thus, their results may vary a lot too. This paper first reminds success factors analyzed in previous works, before presenting monitoring guidelines to ensure that energy savings can be accounted for. This methodological approach could be an entry to consider the inclusion of behavioral actions in schemes accounting for energy savings, such as white certificates. The option to include awareness operations in an energy management service appears to create good conditions ensuring the quality of the operations and therefore an accounting system reliable enough for certified energy savings. Admitting this new kind of energy service in white certificates schemes would on the one side provide a clear recognition of behavioral actions, and on the other side promote quality standards ensuring more homogeneity and effectiveness among this kind of operation

Compatibility of the French white certificate program to fulfil the objective of energy savings claimed by the Energy Service Directive

International audienceThe Commission has proposed a Directive on the promotion of end-use efficiency and energy services (ESD) to enhance the cost-effective and efficient end-use of energy in Member States. According to the Directive, the Member States shall adopt and aim to achieve an overall national indicative energy savings target of 9% (or beyond) in 2016. This target is to be reached by way of energy services and other energy efficiency measures. The French National Energy Efficiency Action Plan to comply with the ESD includes a White Certificates scheme (or FWC) as one of the important measures to fulfil the target. As the accountings of energy savings in the FWC scheme and in the ESD are different (e.g. lifetime-cumulated and discounted kWh for FWC and annual kWh for ESD), an analysis of the compliance of both methodologies and a comparison of the assessed savings are necessary. In this paper, we evaluate the compliance with the ESD requirements of two different end-use actions (insulation, heating boiler) included in the FWC scheme. This is done through the concrete case of certificates filed by EDF. The main objective of this evaluation is to assess the contribution of the savings of these FWC actions to the target of the ESD. Finally, general conclusions are drawn about the use of a White Certificates scheme as a monitoring and evaluation tool for the ESD purpose

Raising awareness for energy efficiency in the service sector: learning from success stories to disseminate good practices

International audienceEnergy efficiency in the service sector is a key issue because of the important growth of its energy consumption. The energy performance of buildings and equipment can be improved through technical investments, but this has to be linked with an efficient management and good practices in order to reach better energy efficiency levels in a cost-effective way. Experience feedback concerning awareness activities in the service sector highlights the interesting opportunities of energy efficiency improvements they represent. This paper first draws a synthesis of the available feedback in this area to detect factors of success for this kind of activities. More than twenty operations from Europe and North America were analyzed looking at items such as the stakeholders involved, the actions implemented, the communication means, and the evaluation performed. Then a case study describes an EDF pilot operation in South East of France. An awareness campaign was led in four particular EDF buildings to inform the employees of the best practices and to involve them to apply these advice. Different action packages were used to compare their efficiency. The evaluation emphasizes the success of the operation, with around 10% of energy savings (i.e. more than 270 MWh/a). More than 80% of the employees said they changed their energy behavior and other indicators show their commitment and satisfaction towards the campaign. Finally, suggestions are made to disseminate good practices at a broader scale, especially out of the "initiated" circle. Building up a know-how from the evaluation of past experiences makes easier the development of process such as networking, experience sharing, and including these activities in energy services offers and in white certificates systems

Report on international experiences with E1st

The new report constitutes a step towards achieving the objective of making the Efficiency First (E1st) principle operational in EU decision making. The report includes 16 examples of how E1st has been applied in different contexts, from promoting the fabric first approach in buildings, enabling demand response to compete on electricity markets, requiring demand-side resources to be better taken into account in energy planning, to demand flexibility in district heating and avoiding new power plants. Each example details the implementation bodies, how the E1st principle has been implemented and the related barriers, replicability and scalability potential. The report also provides an overview about why E1st has been implemented, how the approach to E1st can be categorized, and what lessons can be learned from these experiences. The examples show policymakers, regulators, and energy policy actors that the concept of E1st can be implemented and can provide various benefits to the energy transition