Monitoring Electricity Consumption in the Tertiary Sector- A Project within the Intelligent Energy Europe Program

The electricity consumption in the tertiary sector in the EU is still increasing and a further increase is expected of more than 2 % per year during the next 15 years. This sector includes companies and institutions of public and private services with heterogeneous economic and energy-related characteristics. Building managers and decision-makers are not enough informed about the electricity consumption structure and electricity-saving potentials. Within the EU Intelligent Energy project EL-TERTIARY an overview of existing studies showed that the availability of disaggregated data on electricity consumption and its use by purpose (lighting, office equipment, ventilation, air conditioning, etc.) is poor. The methods of determining the types of end-uses are weak; most studies are based on calculations and estimations, only a few on measurement. In addition, many of the results are not published. EL-TERTIARY developed an internet-based methodology for monitoring electricity consumption. It was applied in more than 120 case studies in 12 EU countries. They cover various types of buildings: offices, schools, universities, kindergartens, hotels, supermarkets, and hospitals evaluating more than 900 technical systems. On the background of ongoing activities on EU level, such as directives, research and implementation projects the paper illustrates the concept of EL-TERTIARY, the newly developed methodology for the documentation of building audits and monitoring as well as selected results

Degradation of 4-fluorophenol by Arthrobacter sp. strain IF1

A Gram-positive bacterial strain capable of aerobic biodegradation of 4-fluorophenol (4-FP) as the sole source of carbon and energy was isolated by selective enrichment from soil samples collected near an industrial site. The organism, designated strain IF1, was identified as a member of the genus Arthrobacter on the basis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence analysis. Arthrobacter strain IF1 was able to mineralize 4-FP up to concentrations of 5 mM in batch culture. Stoichiometric release of fluoride ions was observed, suggesting that there is no formation of halogenated dead-end products during 4-FP metabolism. The degradative pathway of 4-FP was investigated using enzyme assays and identification of intermediates by gas chromatography (GC), GC–mass spectrometry (MS), high-performance liquid chromatography, and liquid chromatography–MS. Cell-free extracts of 4-FP-grown cells contained no activity for catechol 1,2-dioxygenase or catechol 2,3-dioxygenase, which indicates that the pathway does not proceed through a catechol intermediate. Cells grown on 4-FP oxidized 4-FP, hydroquinone, and hydroxyquinol but not 4-fluorocatechol. During 4-FP metabolism, hydroquinone accumulated as a product. Hydroquinone could be converted to hydroxyquinol, which was further transformed into maleylacetic acid and β-ketoadipic acid. These results indicate that the biodegradation of 4-FP starts with a 4-FP monooxygenase reaction that yields benzoquinone, which is reduced to hydroquinone and further metabolized via the β-ketoadipic acid pathway

Design of Effective Energy Efficiency Policies : An analysis in the frame of target setting, monitoring and evaluation

Energy efficiency (EE) is widely acknowledged as the most important strategy for achieving global energy and climate targets. Apart from its contribution to the reduction of energy consumption and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), improving energy efficiency can deliver a range of co-benefits to the economy and society. But in spite of the widely undisputed role of energy efficiency as a corner stone of worldwide and European energy and climate policy, there are indications that energy efficiency policy is still insufficiently anchored both in the European Union and many Member States and at an international level. Therefore, this thesis focuses on the question how to create more favourable preconditions for a better anchoring of energy efficiency in energy and climate policy. The design of EE policies is analyzed in the frame of the setting of EE targets and the monitoring and evaluation of their success. As a main result of this thesis, the following key elements for the design of a more effective energy efficiency policy were identified: • The setting of an ambitious and mandatory EE target (anchored in a more general and coherent target frame) which is derived from cost-effective energy efficiency potentials. • The regular monitoring of the progress toward the targets using suitable monitoring methods and based on precise definitions of EE measuring. • A sufficient availability of necessary statistical and measure-related data being a prerequisite for all monitoring approaches of energy efficiency. • The design of suitable bundles of EE policy instruments which simultaneously reduce major obstacles hindering the exploitation of cost-effective EE potentials. • The consideration of all relevant actors and targets groups in the product cycle of energy efficiency and making use of the specific motivations of these groups. • The adoption of a multi-criteria approach for the design of the policy mix which takes into account both quantitative and qualitative criteria There are indications that the current moment is a good time for the application of at least some of these findings in actual energy efficiency policy. At the European level, the full implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) demands the implementation of new or at least comprehensively improved EE policy instruments. The new framework for EU energy and climate policies up until 2030 would allow the introduction of an ambitious EE target. And Germany, which is the by far biggest energy consumer in the European Union, has decided on a fundamental transition of its energy system, which requires a considerable increase in energy efficiency. Another driver for a stronger focus on energy efficiency within energy and climate policy is the growing importance of the so-called co-benefits of energy efficiency in political and public discussion. These comprise macro-economic impacts such as an increase in GDP and employment, the improvement of competitiveness at the national or company level, and an increase in energy security through the reduction of energy imports. These co-benefits can be an additional justification for the setting of ambitious EE targets and the design of effective EE policies

Theoretical comparison of innovative window daylighting devices for a sub-tropical climate using radiance

Daylighting in tropical and sub-tropical climates presents a unique challenge that is generally not well understood by designers. In a sub-tropical region such as Brisbane, Australia the majority of the year comprises of sunny clear skies with few overcast days and as a consequence windows can easily become sources of overheating and glare. The main strategy in dealing with this issue is extensive shading on windows. However, this in turn prevents daylight penetration into buildings often causing an interior to appear gloomy and dark even though there is more than sufficient daylight available. As a result electric lighting is the main source of light, even during the day. Innovative daylight devices which redirect light from windows offer a potential solution to this issue. These devices can potentially improve daylighting in buildings by increasing the illumination within the environment decreasing the high contrast between the window and work regions and deflecting potentially glare causing sunlight away from the observer. However, the performance of such innovative daylighting devices are generally quantified under overcast skies (i.e. daylight factors) or skies without sun, which are typical of European climates and are misleading when considering these devices for tropical or sub-tropical climates. This study sought to compare four innovative window daylighting devices in RADIANCE; light shelves, laser cut panels, micro-light guides and light redirecting blinds. These devices were simulated in RADIANCE under sub-tropical skies (for Brisbane) within the test case of a typical CBD office space. For each device the quantity of light redirected and its distribution within the space was used as the basis for comparison. In addition, glare analysis on each device was conducted using Weinold and Christoffersons evalglare. The analysis was conducted for selected hours for a day in each season. The majority of buildings that humans will occupy in their lifetime are already constructed, and extensive remodelling of most of these buildings is unlikely. Therefore the most effective way to improve daylighting in the near future will be through the alteration existing window spaces. Thus it will be important to understand the performance of daylighting systems with respect to the climate it is to be used in. This type of analysis is important to determine the applicability of a daylighting strategy so that designers can achieve energy efficiency as well the health benefits of natural daylight

Design of Effective Energy Efficiency Policies: An analysis in the frame of target setting, monitoring and evaluation

Energy efficiency (EE) is widely acknowledged as the most important strategy for achieving global energy and climate targets. Apart from its contribution to the reduction of energy consumption and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), improving energy efficiency can deliver a range of co-benefits to the economy and society. But in spite of the widely undisputed role of energy efficiency as a corner stone of worldwide and European energy and climate policy, there are indications that energy efficiency policy is still insufficiently anchored both in the European Union and many Member States and at an international level. Therefore, this thesis focuses on the question how to create more favourable preconditions for a better anchoring of energy efficiency in energy and climate policy. The design of EE policies is analyzed in the frame of the setting of EE targets and the monitoring and evaluation of their success. As a main result of this thesis, the following key elements for the design of a more effective energy efficiency policy were identified: • The setting of an ambitious and mandatory EE target (anchored in a more general and coherent target frame) which is derived from cost-effective energy efficiency potentials. • The regular monitoring of the progress toward the targets using suitable monitoring methods and based on precise definitions of EE measuring. • A sufficient availability of necessary statistical and measure-related data being a prerequisite for all monitoring approaches of energy efficiency. • The design of suitable bundles of EE policy instruments which simultaneously reduce major obstacles hindering the exploitation of cost-effective EE potentials. • The consideration of all relevant actors and targets groups in the product cycle of energy efficiency and making use of the specific motivations of these groups. • The adoption of a multi-criteria approach for the design of the policy mix which takes into account both quantitative and qualitative criteria There are indications that the current moment is a good time for the application of at least some of these findings in actual energy efficiency policy. At the European level, the full implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) demands the implementation of new or at least comprehensively improved EE policy instruments. The new framework for EU energy and climate policies up until 2030 would allow the introduction of an ambitious EE target. And Germany, which is the by far biggest energy consumer in the European Union, has decided on a fundamental transition of its energy system, which requires a considerable increase in energy efficiency. Another driver for a stronger focus on energy efficiency within energy and climate policy is the growing importance of the so-called co-benefits of energy efficiency in political and public discussion. These comprise macro-economic impacts such as an increase in GDP and employment, the improvement of competitiveness at the national or company level, and an increase in energy security through the reduction of energy imports. These co-benefits can be an additional justification for the setting of ambitious EE targets and the design of effective EE policies

Design of Effective Energy Efficiency Policies: An analysis in the frame of target setting, monitoring and evaluation

Energy efficiency (EE) is widely acknowledged as the most important strategy for achieving global energy and climate targets. Apart from its contribution to the reduction of energy consumption and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), improving energy efficiency can deliver a range of co-benefits to the economy and society. But in spite of the widely undisputed role of energy efficiency as a corner stone of worldwide and European energy and climate policy, there are indications that energy efficiency policy is still insufficiently anchored both in the European Union and many Member States and at an international level. Therefore, this thesis focuses on the question how to create more favourable preconditions for a better anchoring of energy efficiency in energy and climate policy. The design of EE policies is analyzed in the frame of the setting of EE targets and the monitoring and evaluation of their success. As a main result of this thesis, the following key elements for the design of a more effective energy efficiency policy were identified: • The setting of an ambitious and mandatory EE target (anchored in a more general and coherent target frame) which is derived from cost-effective energy efficiency potentials. • The regular monitoring of the progress toward the targets using suitable monitoring methods and based on precise definitions of EE measuring. • A sufficient availability of necessary statistical and measure-related data being a prerequisite for all monitoring approaches of energy efficiency. • The design of suitable bundles of EE policy instruments which simultaneously reduce major obstacles hindering the exploitation of cost-effective EE potentials. • The consideration of all relevant actors and targets groups in the product cycle of energy efficiency and making use of the specific motivations of these groups. • The adoption of a multi-criteria approach for the design of the policy mix which takes into account both quantitative and qualitative criteria There are indications that the current moment is a good time for the application of at least some of these findings in actual energy efficiency policy. At the European level, the full implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) demands the implementation of new or at least comprehensively improved EE policy instruments. The new framework for EU energy and climate policies up until 2030 would allow the introduction of an ambitious EE target. And Germany, which is the by far biggest energy consumer in the European Union, has decided on a fundamental transition of its energy system, which requires a considerable increase in energy efficiency. Another driver for a stronger focus on energy efficiency within energy and climate policy is the growing importance of the so-called co-benefits of energy efficiency in political and public discussion. These comprise macro-economic impacts such as an increase in GDP and employment, the improvement of competitiveness at the national or company level, and an increase in energy security through the reduction of energy imports. These co-benefits can be an additional justification for the setting of ambitious EE targets and the design of effective EE policies

Gesellschaftliche Risiken und ihre Minimierung bei Energieumwandlung und -nutzung

The use of energy leads to so-called external or social costs which are not covered by present energy prices (e.g. environmental damage, health damage). In order to internalize these costs into energy prices (e.g. by energy taxes), it is necessary to identify, quantify and monetize them. the paper gives an overview on attempts to monetize energyrelated environmental costs inn the FRG, showing the limited state of the art in this field