Quantification of synergies between Energy Efficiency first principle and renewable energy systems

Project Information

sEEnergies

Grant agreement ID: 846463

DOI

10.3030/846463

Project closed

EC signature date 12 April 2019

Start date 1 September 2019

End date 30 June 2022

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 1 453 642,50

EU contribution

€ 1 453 642,50

Coordinated by

AALBORG UNIVERSITET
Denmark

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - sEEnergies (Quantification of synergies between Energy Efficiency first principle and renewable energy systems)

Reporting period: 2021-02-01 to 2022-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

As a response to the European Commission’s 2050 decarbonization goals, sEEnergies uniquely considers all aspects of the Energy Efficiency First Principle (EEFP).

Energy Efficiency First is the fundamental principle around which EU’s Energy System should be designed. In practice, Efficiency First means giving EE a fair chance in the models and impact assessments that policy makers use to make decisions, strengthening those laws that already target efficiency, and integrating it into all other Energy Union policies.

sEEnergies has four main objectives:
1. To develop a holistic temporal and spatial assessment of EE potentials by utilising energy systems synergies and in this way make the EEFP more operational
2. To assess the energy-related impact of the EEFP at the sector and energy system levels to quantify EE and make it comparable with investments on the supply side
3. To asses the additional impact of EE measures in different sectors, as well as their impact on markets, in order to support policies aiming at promoting and implementing the EEFP
4. To develop an online GIS visualisation platform to make the EEFP more concrete in relation to energy demand and supply

The overall aim of sEEnergies is to quantify and operationalize the potentials for energy efficiency in buildings, transport, and industry. The project goes beyond state-of-the-art science-based knowledge and methods by combining buttom-up knowledge with energy systems modeling and spatial analysis in the EU.

By combining and complementing existing sectorial knowledge with hour by hour modeling of the energy systems and spatial analysis in the EU, sEEnergies has developed an analytical decision support tool.
sEEnergies provides advances on the state of the art of the understanding of EEFP consequences for each sector. This insight enables policy makers and other target groups to easily find the results concerning their sector of interest.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

For BUILDINGS, sEEnergies provides:
- EE potentials in the building envelope and electricity savings considering the cost aspects of refurbishment measures
- Balances between onsite and system renewable energy and EE measures
- Energy saving and EE cost curves for the built environment for member states using detailed building level data
- Comprehensive analyses of the use of excess heat from industry and low temperature district heating

For TRANSPORT, sEEnergies provides:
- Holistic assessment of EE potentials by analysing strategies for more efficient vehicles, modal shift, and transport demand measures
- Use of state of the art mobility and technology knowledge combined with GIS spatial analyses
- Development of scenarios for the development in mobility and transport using EE, electrification, and new technologies

For INDUSTRY, sEEnergies provides:
- Quantification of industrial EE potentials in all industrial sub sectors and member states
- Use of state of the art knowledge combined with GIS spatial analyses for using industrial symbioses
- Development of scenarios for industry where each sub sector can be analysed in depth considering EE potentials and potential structural industrial changes

For ENERGY GRIDS, sEEnergies provides:
- Analysis of the behaviour and costs of different energy grids ( thermal and gas grids) as well as energy storage solutions
- Comprehensive overview of the key technologies, performance indicators, costs and future perspectives per energy grid
- Investigation of the future role of gas grid and type of gases that will be part of the gas network and market

For SPATIAL ANALYSIS, sEEnergies provides:
- Consideration of the geographical dimension of EE measures to relate plausible EE measures to their spatial context and viability
- Mapping of EE potentials using geographical information systems (GIS) and analysis of input data on sectoral EE potentials
- Development of web based GIS interface for the visualisation and presentation of data and results of sEEnergies

For ENERGY SYSTEMS, sEEnergies provides:
- Bottom up country level analysis with high level resolution on each energy sector
- Modelling and assessment of the impact of energy efficiency measures at system level
- Investment roadmap based on the evaluation of the most critical EE improvements combined with an analysis of additionalnon energy impacts
- Development of sound science based knowledge to support policy making aiming to implement the EEFP

Results have been disseminated at stakeholder webinars, via the project website, social media, newsletters, scientific publications and conference presentations.
The project website presents Policy Briefs, EE Roadmap and REPOWER EU Tools, among others.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Impacts are a better understanding of which energy efficiency measures have large impacts and which have smaller impacts. This can support better and more targeted policies both at the EU level and among national decision makers.

See more in the attached Final Summary Report and on www.seenergies.eu

EE modelling and impact by sEEnergies