Implementation of EC Directives

Implementation of EC Directives

Country

United Kingdom

#

Name and reference of measure

Type of measure

Responsible organ

Existing or planned?

1

Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2002/91/EC

Directive

European Commission

Existing but due for revision

Quotations from the measure

Concerning EU Directives, there is no UK legislation with specific regards to district heating. The closest is the Section 36 obligation to ‘require to consider’ (using waste heat from new power stations). Hence there is little to say in these sections.

UK has implemented the directive by introducing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). Mandatory to accompany a Home Information Pack (HIP), it rates the building on a scale from A-G where A is better than G and the average up to now being D. Since October 2008 all properties - homes, commercial and public buildings - when bought, sold, built or rented need an EPC. Larger public buildings also need to display an energy certificate.

Display Energy Certificates (DECs) are required for larger public buildings when the building is new or changes hands. DECs are based on actual operating data over a period of 12 months and compared to a similar benchmark building.

EPCs are based on carbon dioxide emissions from regulated energy use and are calculated through the use of building regulations compliance software. The software is called Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) for dwellings and Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) for non-dwellings. The methods compare the actual building with a notional building. Carbon reductions are progressed through introducing improvements over the notional building by Part L of building regulations.

The Purpose of the measure

To improve the energy performance of individual buildings.

Impact of Measure

Effectiveness of the measure

There is no likely immediate impact on DHC market, but it does provide a driver for public buildings to form part as anchor loads in DH schemes.

#

Name and reference of measure

Type of measure

Responsible organ

Existing or planned?

2

Cogeneration Directive

Directive

European Commission

Existing

Quotations from the measure

This Community legislative measure concentrates on providing a framework for the promotion of this efficient technique in order to overcome still existing barriers, to advance its penetration in the liberalised energy markets and to help mobilising un-used potentials. The Directive defines high efficiency cogeneration as cogeneration providing at least 10% energy savings compared to separate production. As the indicative target value from the 1997 [EU CHP] strategy is out-dated, the Directive does not include targets. Instead the Directive urges Member States to carry out analyses of their potential for high efficiency cogeneration.

The Purpose of the measure

The primary purpose of the measure is to:

1) ensure a consistent methodology is adopted across member states in determining the performance of cogeneration, and

2) ensure that the high efficiency cogeneration systems are installed that make primary energy savings compared to separate generation of heat and power

The directive has been implemented in the UK through changes to the CHPQA programme standard.

Impact of Measure

#

Name and reference of measure

Type of measure

Responsible organ

Existing or planned?

3

Energy Services Directive

Directive

European Commission

Existing

Quotations from the measure

Many of the obligations did not need much attention as they were already fulfilled. New requirements to provide comparisons of consumption information on residential gas and electricity bills have been introduced along with voluntary agreements for the energy supply sector to promote energy services and energy efficiency measures to their customers. Voluntary agreements were also signed with all parts of the public sector to buy energy efficient products.

The Purpose of the measure

The Energy Services Directive came into force on 17 May 2006, as a means to enhance end-use energy efficiency across the EU. The Directive imposes various obligations on member states, including a requirement that:

- specified energy companies promote energy efficiency to their customers (see article 6(2))

- final customers receive energy metering as far as this is technically possible, financially reasonable and proportionate to potential energy savings and other billingrequirements (see article 13)

- an indicative 9 percent energy savings target is met by 2016 – with public sector playing an exemplary role in helping achieve this (see articles 4 and 5 respectively).

Impact of Measure

Effectiveness of the measure

The primary impact of the measure on district heating was to increase the focus on heat metering opportunities for individual consumers. Studies undertaken in response to the directive indicated that heat metering should be implemented for new housing served by new community heating networks.

#

Name and reference of measure

Type of measure

Responsible organ

Existing or planned?

4

Renewable Energy

Quotations from the measure

The lack of transparent rules between the different bodies authorising energy projects has been shown to hinder deployment of renewable technologies. The following quote demonstrates how the directive now requires such bodies to take specific account of the needs of the renewable energy sector when formulating their procedures

‘Therefore the specific structure of the renewable energy sector should be taken into account when national, regional and local authorities review their administrative procedures for giving permission to construct and operate plants and associated transmission and distribution network infrastructures for the production of electricity, heating and cooling or transport fuels from renewable energy sources.’

The Purpose of the measure

The Renewable Energy Directive (RED) imposes stretching renewables targets for 2020 across the EU, thus encouraging the uptake of renewable energy.

Targets in the Renewable Energy Directive (and Fuel Quality Directive) require by 2020:

• 20% of energy across the EUto be renewable
• 15% of energy in the UKto be renewable
• 10% of energy used in transportto be renewable
• a minimum reduction in GHG emissions from road transport of 6%

Impact of Measure

Effectiveness of the measure

The directive has only very recently been implemented, so its effectiveness remains to be seen.

One possible impact will be to encourage the use of significant amounts of biomass, as the targets relate to primary energy rather than electricity. This could encourage the use of more district heating, as deploying biomass for individual buildings on a large scale is unlikely to be practical.

#

Name and reference of measure

Type of measure

Responsible organ

Existing or planned?

5

Quotations from the measure

A number of programmes have been carried out in the UK. These include grant capital support schemes, assistance with pre-investment activities and promotional campaigns.

The Community Energy programme ran from 2001-7, providing both development and capital support.

Recently further capital provision has been provided through the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). This is providing capital support for 14 ‘shovel ready’ schemes.

There are also other potential capital support schemes where district heating is not the focus but that could be applied to community scale systems. These are most likely to provide assistance to very small schemes due to the relatively small sums of money available per system and are more likely to be restricted to plant than infrastructure. These include funding schemes for biomass, and the Community Energy Saving Programme that requires energy providers to invest in domestic energy saving measures.

Through the London Development Agency (LDA) there is substantial support for district heating in the capital. This comprises an ongoing project development team, feasibility work and initial investment in the actual scheme itself.

The Purpose of the measure

The Community Energy programme sought to deliver new and refurbish old community heating schemes, reducing carbon emissions, alleviating fuel poverty and reducing frontline energy costs.

The HCA funded schemes aim to ensure energy efficient infrastructure in included in schemes that had this aspiration but which, through lack of capital, were set to proceed with individual dwelling heating systems.

Impact of Measure