Heat Action for 2030 and Beyond

Press release from Euroheat & Power:
How implementing various renewable and energy efficient solutions can save EU citizens billions Euro
“Restructuring Europe’s heating and cooling supply will provide affordable comfort, faster decarbonisation, and a more resilient energy system” policymakers and experts heard at the “Heat Action for 2030 and beyond” workshop organised by the Heat Coalition in Brussels.

On behalf of the incoming Presidency Ona Kostinaitė-Grinkevičienė, Lithuanian Energy Attaché, underlined the strategic importance of the heat sector, “More than two thirds of Lithuania’s citizens are served by District Heating – an infrastructure serving as a pillar in our energy transition. We expect that the proportion of renewable energy resources, notably biomass and waste, will comprise at least 60% in District Heating by 2020. Bearing these numbers in mind, clearly the future of the European heating sector is important for us”.

According to the new study “Heat Roadmap 2050 II” the EU can save at least 100 billion EUR by addressing heating and cooling. Prof. Sven Werner of Halmstad University involved in the study said, “Even when energy efficiency improvements in the building envelope reach the limit of what is realistically feasible, heating and cooling demand will continue to exist in the future and therefore it has to be properly factored in any energy modeling done by the European Commission”.

Dr. Tim Rotheray from the UK Combined Heat and Power Association added, “In the UK we have experienced that just a CO2 target will not do the job. Integrated energy planning is key for a cost-effective transition to a low-carbon energy system. The future EU framework needs to target cost-effective primary energy savings in the system, tapping into the existing potential at the local level”.
Concrete examples from Klaipeda, Lithuania and Hannover, Germany, illustrate how to use smart solutions to decarbonise heating and cooling and their significant impacts. During the debate, the panelists highlighted the need for a comprehensive and long-lasting effort.

Frédéric Hug, President of Euroheat & Power stated, “It’s not enough to issue a communication in Autumn. For several decades, the EU has focused on big, cross-border infrastructure and trade issues only. The next decades must be dedicated to finding out how smart technologies can optimally work together at all levels, including the local one”.

According to Wolfram Sparber, Vice-President of the RHC-Platform, “Research, Development and Innovation are the keys to unlocking the potential of renewable heating and cooling beyond 2020. It is crucial that at least 4 billion Euro is allocated to public-private R&D in the next 7 years”.

Gérard Magnin, Executive Director of Energy Cities said, “Heat sources are often available nearby and can take many forms: power plant, combined heat and power unit, waste incineration plant, free industrial heat, wastewater, data centres, etc. Local authorities should be the chief in orchestrating local heating and cooling strategy”.

Fiona Riddoch, Director of COGEN Europe, added, “By looking at different parts of the energy demand and supply in isolation, we may find solutions, but not the cheapest, fastest and best ones. Given EU’s growing concerns on competitiveness, addressing heating and cooling by taking an integrated view of the energy system is of paramount importance to help European industry stay competitive.