Page 9 - European Energy Innovation - Summer 2017 publication

Summer 2017 European Energy Innovation 9
District energy – from good
intentions to tangible results
By Steen Schelle Jensen, Head of Product Management, Kamstrup
Everybody’s talking about it: the potential of
district heating and cooling in an energy efficient
future. But who or what is going to ensure that
it is fulfilled? The current revisions of EU energy
legislation in the Winther Package is a positive
expression of great intentions – and the higher the
ambitions, the better the results.
The potential of district energy is not only broadly
recognised, but has been positioned by the European
Commission as key to reaching our future energy targets.
The ongoing revisions of the directives on Renewable
Energy (RED), Energy Efficiency (EED) and the Energy
Performance of Buildings (EPBD) bode well and represent a
step forward in the district energy sector.
In the legislative framework, it is primarily EED articles 9-11 the finishing line. The challenge now is to qualify these
and 14 together with article 7 in the RED, that are to drive
the challenge of turning potential and good intentions
for district energy into tangible results. If done right, the
updated legislation will provide the basis for an energy
supply that is efficient, secure and green.
END USERS AT THE CORE
Following the New Deal for Energy Consumers, end
users have been placed comfortably at the centre of the
Energy Union, and the adaptation of articles 9-11 on
metering and billing information is set to further empower
European consumers. Increased transparency from clearer
consumption information and advanced technology
including smart meters, will enable them to better
understand and reduce their consumption saving both
money and energy.
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COMMUNICATION
This is in itself a positive development, but while it may be
driven by the end users, transparency from smart metering
brings with it major improvement opportunities for utilities
as well. These include operations optimisation, enhanced
asset management and digitalisation. Ultimately, smart
meter data enables smarter decisions.
TURNING ASSESSMENTS INTO ACTION
Article 14 directs member states to carry out a
comprehensive assessment of the potential for district
energy based on the use of heating and cooling from waste
heat and renewable energy sources. Assessments have
been completed in most member states but vary in quality
and vision due to limited knowledge and experience with
district energy in some countries. At best, they outline a
blurry starting point rather than provide a clear view of
assessments based on the extensive research performed
by e.g. Heat Roadmap Europe, and to then define specific
actions. Here, strong national commitment will be the lever
for further development of district energy.
THE END OF THE BEGINNING
In the efforts to sharpen the current proposals, neither
member states nor the European Parliament should fear
biting off more than they can chew. Research combined
with best practice from more experienced nations prove the
potential and vital role of district heating as the corner stone
of the integrated energy system of the future – so bite away.
This is our chance to ensure that today’s legislation gets us
to where we need to be.
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