Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Fourth Environment State and Outlook report by EEA

The EEA released its fourth environment state and outlook report - SOER2010. This assessment shows that natural resources are being consumed at an accelerated rate increasing pressure in ecosystems, economies and social cohesion in the European Union.
However, there are some good news: the environmental policies developed in EU continue improving the environment without undermining its growth potential.
The report also states that all environmental resources (biodiversity, land, carbon, rivers, the seas and the air) need to be fully considered in production, consumption and global trade decisions.
There are no quick fixes but regulators, businesses and citizens need to work together and find innovative ways to use resources more efficiently. The seeds for future action exist: the task ahead is to help them take root and flourish.

Executive Director of the EEA

Key findings and recommendations

Climate change: The European Union has made progress in cutting emissions and expanding renewable energy. The EU-27's 2009 emissions stand 17 % below the 1990 level and therefore very close to the bloc’s target of cutting emissions 20 % by 2020. However, sectoral trends are not all positive. EU-27 emissions from transport rose by 24% between 1990 and 2008.
Climate change adaptation: Even if Europe meets all its emission reduction targets and world leaders agree on bold measures during the climate talks currently taking place in Cancun, Mexico, Europe will still need to adapt to ongoing and expected climate change impacts. Dedicated management of natural capital can help deal with these challenges.
Biodiversity, ecosystems and people’s health: The Natura 2000 network of protected areas, which now covers around 18 % of EU land, has helped protect endangered species and preserve green spaces for leisure. Air and water quality legislation has reduced pressure on biodiversity and people. On the other hand, intensification of land use, loss of habitats and overfishing prevented the EU from meeting its target of halting biodiversity loss by 2010.
Integrated solutions with a global perspective: By showing the many links between different challenges, environmental and others, SOER2010 encourages us to increase integrated actions across different policy areas dealing with these challenges, so as to deliver improvements quicker and maximise co-benefits (e.g. mitigate climate change and improve air quality at the same time).
Resource efficiency: Food, energy and water security are key drivers of land use as often conflicting demands increase (e.g. for food, feed and fuel). Accounting and pricing that takes full account of resource use impacts are essential for steering business and consumers towards enhanced resource efficiency.
Citizen involvement: Policy alone cannot halt or reverse environmental trends. We need to increase the number of citizens committed to reducing their impact on the environment by involving them in collecting data and through social media.

SOER2010 analysis for Portugal:
Air pollution: air quality is good except in some agglomerations in the north and centre regions, Lisbon and the Tagus valley. Most important pollutants are ozone and particles (PM10).
Climate change: Portugal is extremely vulnerable to rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
Nature protection and biodiversity: preservation of “montado” (traditionally grazed oak forests), the cereal steppes and the mountain “lameiros” (humid meadows) is essential to maintain the portuguese biodiversity. Desertification caused by water erosion and the degradation of water quality is a major threat. Portuguese ecosystems and agriculture are also particularly vulnerable to climate change due to the associated risks of fire and drought.
Land use: pressures created by increasing urban areas particularly in coastal zones; in rural areas major threats are the intensification of farming and forestry activity and abandonment.
Freshwater: an evaluation of the state of our river basins is being currently developed. This assessment will identify rivers that have poor ecological quality and define measures to increase it until 2015, according to the Water Framework Directive. Wastewater collection still needs to be improved.
Waste: Inadequate treatment or improper disposal of industrial, agricultural, domestic or medical waste are major threats.

European Parliament puts energy efficiency at top of the agenda

The resolution A new Energy Strategy for Europe 2011-2020 adopted by the European Parliament states energy efficiency should be a key part of the EU energy strategy 2011-2020.

Exploit better the EU's energy efficiency and renewable energy potential

[The European Parliament]
37. Takes the view that energy efficiency and energy savings should be key priorities of any future strategy, as they represent a cost-effective way of reducing EU energy dependency and combating climate change, contributing to job creation and economic competitiveness and counteracting the increase in energy tariffs and bills, thus reducing energy poverty; calls on the Commission and the Member States to put energy efficiency at the top of the EU agenda, and calls for the implementation of existing legislation to be stepped up and for the timely adoption by the Commission of an ambitious Energy Efficiency Action Plan; therefore believes that it should be implemented in a way that takes into account the efforts already made in some Member States;

40. Believes that energy efficiency and energy savings should also focus on the whole energy supply and demand chain, including transformation, transmission, distribution and supply, alongside industrial, household and transport consumption;

41. Supports the development of a properly functioning market for energy services and the introduction of further market mechanisms to improve the energy efficiency as a way of stimulating the competitiveness of the EU economy;

42. Believes, further, that more focus should be placed on the energy performance of energy-consuming products; encourages the Commission to implement the eco-design directive to the full, e.g. by including more products and applying a dynamic standard-setting model to ensure that ambitious targets are set and regularly updated;

43. Calls on the Commission to present an evaluation of the implementation of the existing legislation; considers that, if the evaluation reveals unsatisfactory implementation of the overall energy efficiency strategy and the EU is therefore projected not to reach its 2020 energy efficiency target, the EEAP should include a commitment by the Commission to propose further EU measures for Member States, such as individual energy efficiency targets which correspond to at least 20% energy savings at EU level in line with the EU2020 headline targets and which take into account relative starting positions and national circumstances, and the approval in advance of each Member State's national energy efficiency action plan; considers that such additional measures should be shown to be necessary, fair and measurable and to have an effective and direct impact on the implementation of national energy efficiency plans; calls on the Commission and the Member States to agree on a common methodology for measuring national energy efficiency targets and monitoring progress towards achieving those targets.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Reviewing existing and proposed emissions trading scheme

Reviewing existing and proposed emissions trading scheme is a new publication by the IEA that analysis emissions trading schemes in place and under consideration in 2010, focusing on the energy sector.
An emission trading scheme is very important to effectively tackle climate change. Without a greenhouse gas emissions price companies are not stimulated to take action.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

China's commitments

The chinese government is committed to stick to the targets announced at last year's Copenhagen Climate Summit to cut the country's carbon intensity by 40 to 45 per cent by 2020 compared with 2005 levels.
A new plan for 2011 to 2015 pledges to make "progressive efforts" to establish a carbon market, work towards improving energy efficiency, and further develop low-carbon technology on an international basis.

Yesterday, the Gulbenkian Foundation promoted a talk with Christine Loh, the founder of Civic Exchange about China and the World. Special attention was given to environmental challenges, particularly air pollution. It is expected that by 2020 China will have 50% of the population living in cities and this creates great challenges. This talk was broadcasted online (but with cuts) and it may be available soon here.

More information: China unveils climate goals

A new climate deal in Cancun? Probably not

Starting on the 29th November, the climate change conference will be held in Cancun. A new climate deal for the period starting in 2013 is unlikely, but some agreements are possible, according to a UN official, on forestry, technology transfer and long-term financing to help governments tackle climate change issues.


More information: Cautious optimism ahead of climate summit

http://www.climatepolicytracker.eu

WWF and Ecofys launched a new tracking tool that shows that only a third of the necessary action needed today to put EU countries on a path towards a low carbon economy by 2050 (reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95%), is currently being undertaken.
It provides for the first time an up-to-date snapshot of greenhouse gas emission controls across the EU using a Member State-by-Member State and sector-by sector analysis.
“The Climate Policy Tracker is a powerful tool that measures the impact of policies and their effectiveness. It allows people to easily identify the policy sectors which need more attention and where action is most effective in reducing emissions. []
There are success stories in each country and policy makers should learn from best practices across Europe. Overall, however, the ratings are low. Support for renewable energy is most widely implemented across Europe and shows the most progress, whilst energy efficiency, transport and industry are lagging behind.”

Niklas Höhne, Director Energy and Climate Policy, Ecofys

Portugal is rated E in the climate policy tracker, along with other 14 member states, including Spain and the UK. Denmark, Germany, Ireland and Sweden are rated D.
Country Summary
Portugal made a significant effort to implement new policies to reach the Kyoto target, but significant gaps exist for the country to be on a low-carbon development path. Several good initiatives are planned but not yet implemented. Highlights are its support for renewable electricity and efficient appliances. If the positive policy-making trend continues, Portugal will rate significantly better next year.

Success Stories
Portugal has a well-designed feed-in tariff for RES and is about to reach the ambitious target of 45% of electricity consumed coming from RES. - Energy efficiency policies in industry, buildings and transportation are promising.

Areas that need improvements
Portugal made a significant effort to implement new policies to reach the Kyoto target but significant gaps exist to be on a low-carbon development path. - Although the support for RES electricity is well designed and is giving important results, important barriers, such as administrative bottlenecks and grid development need to be removed to reach the targets.

Evaluation per sector for Portugal

Green touchscreen

Green touchscreen is an online tool developed by Siemens to measure the energy efficiency of buildings, allowing to monitor energy consumption in real time.

Green touchscreen in Lx sustentável blog (in portuguese)

Lighter coloured roads could reduce temperatures in hot urban areas

Urban areas are considered heat islands due to land use changes (materials that effectively retain heat with low permeability to water). Compared to rural areas, temperatures in cities can typically be warmer by several degrees. This heat is transferred to the surrounding air and increases air pollution problems (tropospheric ozone and smog) and the demand for air conditioning and even heat-related illness and dead in vulnerable people.
However, this effect can be minimised through the use of green roofs and lighter-colored surfaces, which reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat.
A recent study by Synnefa, A., Karlessi, T., Gaitani, N. (2010) tested the use of cool colored thin layer asphalt and estimated its potential to improve microclimate. This solution could significantly lower surface temperatures in hot urban areas, making living conditions more comfortable and reducing the amount of energy needed to cool buildings. Paved roads are typically made of a mixture of asphalt (bitumen) and aggregate material. But different ways are being developed: in this study they used a colourless, flexible asphalt binder and various pigments and sizes of coloured aggregates (granular materials), resulting in beige, off-white, green, red and yellow paved material that were tested for their ability to reflect solar energy and compared to a thin-layer sample of conventional black asphalt. All samples reflected back higher levels of solar radiation than conventional black asphalt, ranging from 55% (off-white) to 27% (red and green), compared with 4% radiation reflection of black asphalt.
However, lighter coloured surfaces can cause glare, which can be a problem for drivers. But some 'invisible' reflectance is possible if the reflectance is in the 'near-infra-red' part of the spectrum.
In conclusion, the thin-layers of coloured asphalt could be applied onto existing or new asphalt road surfaces. Computer modelling suggests an off-white coloured surface on a road could lower the average air temperature by 5°C in low wind speeds.

Reference: Synnefa, A., Karlessi, T., Gaitani, N. (2010) Experimental testing of cool colored thin layer asphalt and estimation of its potential to improve the urban microclimate. Building and Environment. 46: 38-44.

Contact: asynnefa@phys.uoa.gr

Thursday, November 18, 2010

IEA Open Energy Technology Bulletin (18th November)

The IEA Open Energy Technology Bulletin states that if their 25 energy-efficiency policy recommendations were applied globally, carbon emissions equal to 200% of those currently emitted by the EU could be saved per year.

The IEA release the following Policy Pathways Brochures:
Monitoring, Verification and Enforcement - Improving Compliance within Equipment Energy Efficiency Programmes - provides policy makers and other stakeholders with “how-to” guidance for hands-on action to capitalise better on energy-efficiency policies.

Energy Performance Certification of Buildings - A Policy Tool to Improve Energy Efficiency - focuses on the building sector that is responsible for 40% of energy consumption.

Natural gas network and energy grid upgrades

According to the European Commission, €200bn will be spent in the next ten years to upgrade EU's natural gas networks (€70bn) and energy grids(€130bn) and bring more renewable energy on-line.

The EU energy strategy 2020 published on 10th November
defines the energy priorities for the next ten years and sets the actions to be taken in order to tackle the challenges of saving energy, achieving a market with competitive prizes and secure supplies, boosting technological leadership, and effectively negotiate with our international partners.


Some priority areas for improving energy transport systems include a North Sea offshore electricity grid to link wind power installations in the regions and south-western electricity links between the North of Africa, Spain, France and Italy for solar power projects.

It is also referred that the implementation of smart grids could reduce the EU's annual primary energy consumption in 2020 by almost 9%. A decision on a specific strategy for smart grids is expected in the first half of 2011.

Carbon capture and storage should be treated with caution because the technology has not been proven.

More information:
Brussels unveils energy infrastructure overhaul

How to Build the Supergrid

Check out the latest Scientific American article on how to build the supergrid (paid article).

Smart grids could save Europe €52bn

Experts from the Smart Energy Demand Coalition state that smart grids and smart meters could save Europe €52bn.

Smart grids reduce losses in the electricity network through automation and smart meters provide information on energy consumption to consumers and allow them to manage their consumption.

Utilities will also be able to lower the system voltage level and make meter-reading redundant, argued Chris King, chief regulatory officer at eMeter. After deducting necessary costs like the installation of smart meters and new software, the net benefit would still be €31 billion per year, he said.


More information:
"Smart grids could save Europe €52bn"

Energy efficiency and emissions reduction

According to the EPA, energy efficiency is most likely the most cost effective way for industrial facilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The revised Clean Air Act states that from January 2011, new facilities or major modifications to existing ones should employ the best available control technology (BACT) to minimise emissions

More information:
Energy efficiency most effective way to reduce emissions, says EPA

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Roadmap 2050

Roadmap 2050 is an initiative by the European Climate Foundation to provide a practical, independent and objective analysis of pathways to achieve a low-carbon economy in Europe, in line with the energy security, environmental and economic goals of the European Union.
In 2050 is it technically possible and affordable to have an electric mix of 80% renewable energy, 10% fossil fuels with CCS and 10% nuclear. For this to happen, governments need to start cooperating now to create an European "super grid" reliable for high shares of renewable energy supply and to define ambitious targets to 2020 for greenhouse gas emissions reductions, so that the carbon price starts working as a stimulus for innovation and competitiveness.
Reports are available for download here.

World Energy Outlook 2010

World Energy Outlook 2010

The world appears to be emerging from the worst economic crisis in decades. Many countries have made pledges under the Copenhagen Accord to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. Commitments have also been made by the G-20 and APEC leaders to phase out inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies. Are we, at last, on the path to a secure, reliable and environmentally sustainable energy system?

What more must be done and spent to achieve the goal of limiting the global temperature increase to two degrees Celsius? What would be the impact of these actions on oil markets?

How will emerging economies increasingly shape the global energy landscape? Where will their policy decisions lead us? And will China sustain and intensify the four-fold improvement in energy intensity it has achieved in the last thirty years?

How quickly will the contribution of renewables to meeting the world's energy needs grow? How much will it cost? And to what extent does growth in deployment and use of renewable energy hinge on government support?

All these questions and many others are answered in the World Energy Outlook 2010 (WEO-2010).

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Article uploaded in Pluridoc

Analysing the implementation of three vehicle renewal and one urban mobility measures defined in the Portuguese Energy Efficiency Action Plan (PNAEE) is available in Pluridoc.

Abstract:
The Portuguese Action Plan on Energy Efficiency (PNAEE) aims a 10% reduction in final energy consumption in 2015, compared with the average of final energy consumption from 2001 to 2005, through the implementation of energy efficiency policies in transportation, residential, services, industry and government. The transportation sector is responsible for more than a third of final energy consumption and will have the highest predicted energy savings (41%). This paper analyses the implementation of measures included in the vehicle renewal and urban mobility programs. The vehicle renewal program aims to increase energy efficiency of cars through incentives to replace them by more efficient ones and equipment changes. It focuses on reducing the percentage of passenger and commercial vehicles with more than 10 years to 30% and the greenhouse gas emissions from new cars to 110 g CO2/km, so low emissions vehicles represent 10% of the total number of cars circulating in 2015. Urban mobility program aims to encourage the use of public instead of individual transport in urban areas through the creation of mobility plans, the increase in efficiency of public transportation and modal shifting in cities. It focuses on transferring 5% of passenger km (pkm) in Metropolitan Areas of Lisbon (AML) and Porto (AMP) from individual to public transportation in 2015. Based on estimated car ownership, end-of-life vehicles’ decommissioning and new low-emission vehicles sales, the paper concludes that meeting the targets for vehicle renewal measures is unlikely. Based on the increase from individual transport in pkm in AML and AMP, meeting the target is likely. However, trends in pkm are uncertain in the upcoming years. Even assuming that public transportation will continue losing pkm (from 1991 to 2001, the transportation system in AML and AMP changed from one based on public transport to one based on individual transportation), the percentage loss to cars remains difficult to estimate.

Keywords: efficiency plan, transportation, policies, mobility, vehicle renewal

Comments are greatly appreciated!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Interview with Tulsi Tanti (in portuguese)

An interesting interview with Tulsi Tanti, the CEO of Suzlon (Indian wind turbines manufacturer) can be found here (in Portuguese).

Suzlon is the third largest manufacturer of wind turbines in the World.

Tanti argues that tariffs should be dynamic and that who should pay renewable energies costs' is everyone that consumes above the average and in the peek hours.