Page 5 - European Energy Innovation - winter 2017 publication
P. 5
Winter 2017 European Energy Innovation 5
The publishers of European Energy FOREWORD
Innovation would like to offer their
sincere thanks to all individuals and Foreword
organisations who have contributed
editorial images photos and illustrations As 2017 draws to a close, the momentous Brexit negotiations have reached
to the magazine. Whilst every effort an important milestone. And when it comes to energy, the mood in Brussels
has been made to ensure accuracy might be also described as “determined”. A somewhat upbeat third report on
of the content, the publishers of the Energy Union describes decarbonisation as the “new reality” and it may
European Energy Innovation accept no well have a point – as the costs of PV and Wind continue to fall, the share of
responsibility for errors or omissions. RE in Europe’s energy mix continues to rise (and is on track to reach the 20%
target in 2020). Indeed, RE seems to have accounted for the highest proportion
The contents of European Energy of new generating capacity for the eighth consecutive year. Nevertheless, the
Innovation are protected by copyright. Commission began last year the task of revising the Renewable Energy Directive,
partly as part of its broader ‘Clean Energy for all Europeans’ package, and partly
All rights reserved. to impart increased urgency to expansion of RE use: some have suggested that
targets have been insufficiently ambitious. And, at the end of November, the
European Energy Innovation is Commission presented the recast Directive to Parliament, which is why we are
published by: delighted that Seán Kelly MEP takes a good look for us in his excellent article.
Prologue Media Ltd Explaining that it is not “just about targets”, he outlines how the Directive will
1a Shire Lane help drive prices downward while broadening ownership and reform sustainable
Chorleywood biofuels; and ultimately how the EU might assume global leadership in
Hertfordshire WD3 5NQ Renewable Energy.
United Kingdom
On a related theme, Bendt Bendtsen MEP discusses the importance of energy
Tel: +44 1923 286238 efficiency; and the significance of the revised Energy Performance of Buildings
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu Directive. Reminding us that a staggering 97.5 per cent of our buildings can be
considered energy inefficient, he points out how attention to buildings can form
To obtain additional copies please email an important means of fulfilling climate commitments, while delivering lower
info@europeanenergyinnovation.eu energy bills, better living and working conditions, improved health – all as well
as creating jobs. Apart from boosting renovation, Bendtsen also explores how
EDITOR electromobility should incorporated into energy efficiency policy.
Michael Edmund
editor@europeanenergyinnovation.eu Frauke Thies charts the evolution of smart energy systems from the early model of
large-scale centralised suppliers and largely passive consumers. In her fascinating
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR article, she explores how technology and services have changed; and how
Philip Beausire regulation of this new environment must change, given the question she poses:
philip@europeanenergyinnovation.eu is the top-down approach to the energy system now giving way to a bottom-
up approach? Her answer is an an integrated perspective where the “digitally
HEAD OF BRUSSELS OFFICE enabled interaction of millions of demand and supply of assets and solutions.”
Sophia Silvert
Mob: +32 4 73 73 03 22 In our focus on Austria, we learn from Barbara Kappel MEP that around 80% of
sophia@europeanenergyinnovation.eu the electricity (and 30% of all the energy) in the “Land am Strome” is Green. She
recalls how dependence of imported energy has influenced the country’s energy
DESIGN & PRODUCTION policy and international stance: two pipelines pass though its territory to connect
Ray Heath Russian energy with Western European consumers. Meanwhile, the country is
rayheathdesign@icloud.com a respected RE pioneer, and a leader in solar and wind energy, hydropower,
biomass and geothermal energy.
WEBSITE DESIGN
pulseart.co.uk To remind us why all this matters, a recent paper by Professor Zhang, an
atmospheric scientist with UAF’s International Arctic Research Centre, indicates
PRINT that the apparent pause in the rise in global temperatures has really been as a
The Magazine Printing Company, result of under-reported data; and that “the rate of global warming had continued
Enfield, Middlesex, United Kingdom to rise at 0.112˚C per decade instead of slowing down to 0.05˚C per decade as
previously thought”
Plenty to think about – and a lot more for you to read inside…
Michael Edmund
Editor
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
