NEWS

[12/06/2008] Interview with Lena Ek MEP
The latest edition of Euroheat 7 Power English language magazine includes interview with Ms Lena Ek MEP. Speaking about position of district heating in Sweden she outlines that "[d]istrict heating systems provide low CO2 supply of heat on the basis of biomass, waste, surplus heat from industry and electricity production. This achievement has made it possible to effectively decrease emissions, and limit dependency on foreign supplies. Sweden sees district heating as a strategic infrastructure in our efforts to develop a society of the post-oil era. And if it worked in Sweden, why should it not work for the rest of the EU?". Complete interview is available HERE.

[06/05/2008] DHC Technology Platform - Progress
On 18 April 2008 the first and very fruitful gathering of DHC Technology Platform members took place in Brussels.
Participants in the meeting reached agreement on central organizational issues like the working structure, membership and financing and planned activities for the upcoming period. Technology Platform work will take off in Autumn this year with a workshop set for 6-7 October 2008. Before that, a second constituting meeting, at which a chairman will be selected and certain organizational issues finalized, shall be held on 23 June.
The Technology Platform is an important step for increasing cooperation in R&D matters and to gain better recognition and support from European institutions. Members will have direct influence in shaping the long-term vision for the DHC sectors, a work which has already begun at last meeting, and to define and initiate projects eligible for EU funding. All member companies and organisations of Euroheat & Power are therefore invited to commit to this initiative.
At present, the following stakeholders have committed themselves to the platform: A2A, AGFW, Dalkia, Danfoss, Distretto Tecnologico Trentino, Dong Energy, European Geothermal Energy Council, Essent Warmte, Goteborg Energi, Halmstad University, Helsinki Energy, IEA Implementing Agreement, Logstor, MVV, Svensk Fjarrvarme, Technical University Berlin.

[20/12/2007] Supplement on climate Change to Planning Policy

On Monday this week the UK Government issued it’s long awaited Supplement on climate Change to Planning Policy Statement 1. Clause 27 provides powers for local planning authorities to oblige developers to connect to sustainable energy networks. This could refer private wire networks connected to renewable electricity generation. But it also includes district heating. It is available here.

[12/10/2007] Danish Board of District Heating (DBDH) launches a new image

DBDH has launched new and vibrant look for the organisation and quarterly journal HOT|COOL that is available free of charge on their website www.dbdh.dk

Their website itself is also undergoing a radical change in structure, information provided and design. It is to be updated regularly with information about events, news, and DHC community. They invite contributions and signing for electronic newsletter in English.

[25/09/2007] Energy statistics

As a contribution to the ongoing discussion on how to improve European energy statistics, Euroheat & Power and COGEN Europe have produced a common statement. It is available here.

[23/07/2007] Call for Proposals

Each year, Euroheat & Power organises Industry and Utility Forum. These successful events serve as a platform for presentation and discussion our industries' technical issues and developments. With attendance of around 120 participants our Forum has become an important international event for all involved in techniques of district heating & cooling (DHC) and combined heat & power (CHP).

Proposals for presentations are invited from the international CHP/DHC community for our next Forum that will take place in Bled, Slovenia on 8-9 November 2007. Subjects are not restricted and presentations are selected on the basis of potential interest by our audience, technical novelty and the impact on the sector with particular emphasis on bridging the expertise and experiences from Western and Eastern (including South Eastern) Europe.

Proposals are invited from the utilities and manufacturers operating in CHP/DHC sector. Prospective proposers should contact the Dusan Jakovljevic at 32 2 740 21 10, dusan.jakovljevic@euroheat.org for preliminary discussions and/or information. Deadline for proposals is Monday, 17 September 2007.

The proposals should include the following information:
Title of the proposal
Author of the proposal, including a short curriculum vitae
Description of the topics to be covered
IT requirements

[12/07/2007] Euroheat & Power joins EPBD Buildings Platform

Euroheat & Power is pleased to announce joining the EPBD Buildings Platform. This platform is a European Commission initiative which provides information services for policy makers as well as for practitioners, consultants, experts in energy agencies, interest groups, assisting in the implementation of the

European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
It provides a single information source helping Euroheat & Power and our members in monitoring the implementation. In addition, we are looking forward to establishing further contacts and to engage in discussion of practical/technical questions with other interested parties via the Platform.
More information at http://www.buildingsplatform.org

[28/06/2007] Euroheat & Power Certification framework for district heating pipes
- first list of certificates
The first list of certified products - preinsulated pipes and fittings manufactured according to EN 253 and EN 448- are available here.
According to the Certification Guidelines for quality assessment of district heating pipes, Euroheat & Power encourages its member associations to deliver this list and recommend the members to buy and use only certified products.
2007 is the transition period year where the certification schemes started to be put in place. Information about new issued certificates will be available on this website periodically.
Certification bodies applied to be part of Euroheat & Power certification schemes as well as test institutes which acknowledged their services to Euroheat & Power are presented in the list available here.

[19/06/2007] New Vice-President of Euroheat & Power Euroheat & Power is glad to annonce election by General Assembly of Mr Jørgen G. Jørgensen as Vice-President of our organisation. Mr Jørgensen is currently director of Danish district heating association, Dansk Fjernvarme. He has been engaged in district heating for 20 years and has been director of Dansk Fjernvarme since 2003. Mr Jørgensen has replaced Mr Werner Dub who has served full two terms as Vice-President.

[22/05/2007] Recommended: Greenpeace Video on 'Decentralised Energy'

[19/02/2007] Energy Ministers on an energy policy for Europe
Meeting in Brussels on 15 February 2007, Ministers responsible for energy adopted a resolution that will be discussed by Head of States and Governments during the Spring meeting. Ministers endorsed all recent objectives set by the Commission on energy efficiency, renewed support to the emission-trading scheme as a central element of the European strategy against climate change. On renewables, Council asked the Commission to come forward in 2007 with a proposal. Preferences of the Council are the following: - a 20% share of renewable energy sources in overall EU energy consumption by 2020; - subsidiarity/flexibility at national level; targets on biofuels.
The Council’s document also underlined the importance of research and of the ‘development of a common approach to external energy policy.’

[29/01/2007] CHP/DHC should be at the heart of Europe's energy policy
Euroheat & Power, together with Cogen Europe, has published a statement calling upon the Spring Council to put CHP/DHC at the heart of Europe's energy policy. The statement followed the publication of a several hundred pages energy package by the European Commission which showed disappointingly little attention for the heat market. Euroheat and Power and COGEN Europe welcome the need of urgency of the European Commission for common action with a view to improving the security, sustainability and competitiveness of the European energy system. At the same time they call upon the Heads of States and Governments to provide clear signals that CHP/DHC are considered important elements of an overall strategy aiming at improving the resource efficiency of Europe's energy supply and that they are willing to pursue this potential seriously.
The statement can be downloaded here.

[26/11/2006] District heating & cooling included in Council's conclusions on energy efficiency
In its deliberations, the Energy Council of 23 November 2006 has primarily focused on the European Commission's recently adopted 'Energy Efficiency Action Plan'.
The Council outlined its overall support for the Commission's ambitious approach towards the restructuring of energy policy. It has also acknowledged that energy efficiency and energy savings should constitute a cornerstone of the European energy framework.
In this regard, the Council has for the very first time acknowledged the crucial role that combined heat & power and district heating & cooling could play for securing an energy efficient Europe's future.
It states that 'Council underlines that it is important to ensure that the most energy efficient technology available is used for the construction of new capacity, including the increased use of high-efficiency CHP, district heating and cooling and waste heat recovery'.
The complete press release of this meeting can be find here.
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/trans/91848.pdf

[11/08/2006] Euroheat & Power success in the consultation process on climate change
The European Commission has organised a consulation with stakeholders in order to prepare the policy framework to combat climate change after 2012.
Euroheat & Power contributed to the discussions in the working group on energy supply and we underlined the contribution of combined heat and power (CHP) and district heating and cooling (DHC) in developing more sustainable energy systems, and necessity of integrated approach on energy matters.
The final document reflects on the need for consideration of heating demands in an efficient way using the DHC infrastructure. This result is due to the active contribution to the consultation process by Euroheat & Power. The Commission is now finalising a green paper that will be published in October.
Furthermore, the Commission will also organise a consultation of stakeholders during the autumn to prepare the review of the emission trading scheme. Euroheat & Power will participate and make sure that new allocation rules take into account specificities of CHP/DHC.
The draft report of the ECCP 2 working group on energy supply is available here.

[22/06/2006] Mr Antonio Bonomo: New President of Euroheat & Power We are pleased to announce that Antonio Bonomo, Deputy General Director and Head of the Energy Division of ASM spa, Italy, is the new President of Euroheat & Power, the international association for district heating and cooling and combined heat and power. Euroheat & Power’s General Assembly elected Mr Bonomo to succeed Tomas Bruce whose mandate came to an end after four years in office Press release is available here.

[24/02/2006] Euroheat & Power responds to Biomass Action Plan
Euroheat & Power has welcomed the biomass plan published by the Commission in December 2005 and supports the Commission in its intention to foster the use of biomass with a view to reducing the use of conventional fuels and thereby meeting European objectives in terms of security of supply and reduction of CO2 emissions.

The Biomass Action Plan rightly acknowledges the important role that combined heat and power (CHP) and district heating and cooling (DHC) could and should play in achieving the objective of optimising the efficient and clean use of biomass.

In its response published on 24 February 2006, Euroheat & Power underlines:

To download Euroheat & Power's comments on Biomass Action Plan please click here.

Council of Ministers concludes on VAT: district heating included in list of reduced VAT rates
After three years of negotiations, Ministers finally approved the Directive reviewing reduced VAT rates at the beginning of this month. In 1992, the Council approved a Directive allowing the possibility for Member States to apply a reduced VAT rates to a list of services and products including supplies of natural gas and electricity. District heating was not included at the time and this led to distortions in domestic energy markets as lower taxes applied on energy supplies of gas and electricity. When the Commission commenced the review the Directive, Euroheat & Power, in co-ordination with the French district heating association and Amorce (French association of local heating communes) asked the Commission to make sure that the district heating would be treated equally with other energy supplies. In 2003, the proposal revising reduced VAT rates included district heating. However, given that decisions on taxation are taken on the basis of unanimity in the Council of Ministers, discussions took until beginning of February before finally reaching a conclusion.

The inclusion of district heating was never questioned until a compromise document of the Council’s Presidency took it away from the proposal end of January. Some Member States (i.e. Poland and the Czech Republic) as well as the European Commission insisted on reintegrating district heating, and the approved included district heating. This is a clear victory for our sector. It will put an end to the distortions existing in some countries. In France for instance, Amorce estimated that users have been overpaying around 300 million Euro to the State during the last six years due to the higher rates compared to electricity/gas users.
The compromise will also clear the way for possible continuation of reduced VAT rates on district heating in some of the new Member States. Several are in already using reduced VAT rates on district heating. In the Czech Republic, the sector has benefited since adhesion from a 5% rate but this is due to expire in 2007 (as set forth in the accession treaty). The new Directive will provide security and give possibility to continue with a reduced VAT rate.

This new Directive is a success for the sector, and reward to the efforts of Euroheat & Power members and the Secretariat!

More on the intranet.

Renewable heat: Vote in the European Parliament on 14 February 2006
Euroheat & Power is pleased to announce positive outcome of European Parliament vote on Renewable Heat proposal by Ms Mechtild Rothe MEP calling on the European Commission to take action in promoting use of renewable energy sources (RES) in heating and cooling. The final report reflects on ideas and concerns of district heating and cooling industry on the use of renewable energy sources. It presents district heating and cooling as a viable mean in maximizing use of renewables and it outlines its potential. Drafting of the report and the negotiation process were closely followed by the Euroheat & Power's Energy Policy Working Group recognising early implications of its outcome and actively contributing in the process in outlining the expertise of the CHP/DHC sector in dealing with renewables, and the possible role of district heating as an infrastructure in use renewables in the heat and cold markets. Our particular concerns included

We are pleased that all of these have been included in the final report and are closely following planned European Commission's Directive that should be out this year.

You can download the report from http://www.europarl.eu.int/omk/si pade3?PUBREF=-//EP//NONSGML+TA+20060214+SIT+DOC+WORD+V0//EN&LEVEL=2&NAV=S&L= EN

Commission approves tax reduction to District Heating and Combined Heat & Power in Slovenia
The European Commission approved in November 2005 a scheme granting reductions in CO2 taxation to CHP and DH operators. The Commission decided to approve the new law, which entered into force in May 2005, as it requires a sufficient reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from the beneficiaries in order to be eligible for the tax reduction, and respects EU rules on the taxation of energy products. Under the new law, the tax reduction rate decreases by 8 percentage points each year from 43% in 2005 to 2010 when the reduction ends. District heating installations benefit from a 26% reduction in 2005, decreasing by 8 percentage points each year.

EHP Certification Guidelines for quality marking of DH pipes
Euroheat & Power Task Force Transport and Distribution during its 2003-2005 mandate developed the “EHP Guidelines for quality marking of district heating pipes”. The “Guidelines” endorsed by the EHP Board of Directors on 30 June 2005 aim at creating a European certificate/quality mark instead of many national ones. Therefore they should be seen as a common tool for the procurement of conventional and standardized products falling under the scope of the European standards EN 253 and EN 448 for straight pipes and fittings.
Through these “Guidelines”, Euroheat & Power provides the utilities and manufacturers acting in the district heating sector with a framework which can be joined on a voluntary basis. Together with the two standards mentioned above, the Guidelines are to be considered as:

Fore more information, please contact nikolai.pushkarev@euroheat.org

Success in Krakow
Euroheat & Power held Utility and Industry Forum earlier this month in Krakow, Poland. With excellent ground support from our Polish hosts: Izba Gospodarcza Ciepownictwo Polskie, Elektrociepownie Warszawskie, Kogen Polska and with kind support from Vattenfall Poland, Mayor of Krakow, Krakow District Heating Company and Hydro-X. The Forum was held in the wonderful building of the Krakow city town hall. With a large Polish and international audience and wide range of topics covered by our speakers, the Forum produced some very lively and interesting debate. Presentations are available, please email dusan.jakovljevic@euroheat.org for more information

Eco-labelling of heating sources: work is starting!
The first meetings related to the eco-labelling of heat pumps took place in Brussels in September. First, the kick-off meeting of the “adhoc working group” where the work is effectively done; and the meeting of the European Union Eco-labelling Board (EUEB) that is the body, made up of national standardisation bodies’ representatives, that takes decisions. For memory, the Commission mandated the EUEB to eco-label heating systems. A first product group, heat pumps, will be dealt with, before continuing further to address all heating options. Members of Euroheat & Power’s task force on eco-labelling and the secretariat attended the two meetings to communicate the views of the association. They advocated that the eco-labelling of heat sources should be consistent with EU legislation, address all systems/technologies, use the same criteria and encompass the whole energy chain (generation to delivery to the building) through the use of primary energy factors. The message was heard, and the work is to start on the basis of the propositions of EHP.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/ecolabel/documents/pm_eueb_en.htm

Euroheat & Power participates in EU-Russia Energy Dialogue
Energy is a central issue in the roadmap to intensify cooperation between the EU and Russia. In the context of the ongoing dialogue a thematic group on energy efficiency has recently been created. For the EU the main reason is the desire to (a) ensure availability of Russian energy for the EU, (b) ensure fair industrial competition, and (c) to continue the Kyoto Protocol process. For Russia, energy efficiency can contribute to the exportable surplus of energy resources and to the financing of economic development. Increased energy efficiency is a cost-effective alternative to investment in energy supply.

Biomass: Commission publishes results of inquiry
The Communication on “The share of renewable energy in the EU” (COM(2004) 366 final) concluded that further efforts – in particular in the biomass sector – are needed in order to achieve the EU policy objective of doubling the share of renewable energies in gross energy consumption by 2010. In 2001, total biomass production for energy purposes was 56 Mtoe. To achieve the RES 12% target 74 Mtoe more are needed by 2010. Each sector has to contribute the following indicative additional amount of biomass energy: electricity 32 Mtoe, heat 24 Mtoe, and biofuels 18 Mtoe. This would lead to a total biomass accumulated energy production of 130 Mtoe in 2010.
The Commission feels that this additional biomass production can only be achieved in the sort term with strong and targeted measures and actions in all three sectors (electricity, heat, and biofuels for transport) and a better coordination of EU policies. It therefore intends to elaborate a Community Biomass Action Plan and has launched in March a public inquiry on the possible content of such a plan. The analysis of results has recently been published and can be downloaded from
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/energy/res/biomass_action_plan/index_en.htm

Euroheat & Power Summer Party
The Euroheat & Power Summer Party is becoming tradition in the Brussels energy circles. This year, it was held on 30 June 2005 in the garden of our Brussels’ office. Colleagues from the energy field were invited to enjoy a good time with the EHP board members and staff, in a relaxed and unexpected sunny atmosphere.
The delicious Lebanese food and the Hawaiian music band has contributed to the success of this event. For all of you who were not able to make it make sure do so in 2006.

Euroheat & Power 32. Congress in Berlin

The 32. Euroheat & Power Congress took place in Berlin on Monday, 6 and Tuesday, 7 June. It was organised in conjunction with our German National Association member, AGFW, who provided crucial logistical and on-the-ground support. Further contribution to the programme was received from IEA Implementing Agreement that made an important part of one of the panel sessions on Tuesday. Vattenfall provided for the generous and exciting evening event on Monday evening for all the participants.
The Congress started with a welcome speech from our President, Mr Tomas Bruce, and a key note address by Lars Josefsson, President and CEO, Vattenfall. It continued with an extremely lively and well received Europe Live debate that included a special message from the Energy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs and well informed contributions from three Members of the European Parliament, member of energy efficiency team of DG TREN, European Commission, NGO representative, Regine Guenter of WWF and Mr Josefsson. The debate was continued in the afternoon with ‘Energy Supply at the Service of Society’ panel debate Chaired by our Vice-President, Werner Dub. The day concluded in style with dinner
On day two, the Congress proceedings were split into three parallel sessions and all of these were received with a great interest from our audience. The Congress was attended by 340 participants from all parts of our industry. It was accompanied by a specialist trade exhibition and the poster exhibition by most of our National Association Members. It was also the occasion of the launch of new edition of Euroheat & Power book, ‘District Heating & Cooling, Country by Country 2005 Survey’
To see pictures from the congress please press here. (Please note that picture album is in Flash Macromedia)

20km Brussels Run – Euroheat & Power ‘No Energy Wasted’ team

The 26th Brussels20km run took place on Sunday 29 May. With more than 25.000 participants the run started in the Cinquantenaire Park under nice weather.
With cheering and music along the way the atmosphere was exceptional. Guillaume Casanova, our blazing trainee, was the best runner in the team. He completed the run in 1h40. Guillaume was closely followed by Dieter Oesterwind (1h59), Laszlo György (2h09), Adrian Bitoiu (2h24), Sabine Froning (2h34) and Erica Sedan (3h06).
Congratulations to our runners and many thanks to all who supported them! We hope to do even better next year and all interested to run should email EHP communications

Discussion paper on renewable heat published
At a moment when the debate is intensifying at EU level regarding renewables, EHP releases a paper on the role of combined heat & power (DHC) and district heating & cooling (DHC). While noting that already significant part of renewables, surplus heat from industries and waste incineration is currently used in district heating industry. The paper stresses that district heating will be an irreplaceable ally in further developing use of renewables. The paper insists on the important question of defining renewables and the need to use correctly existing Directives before adopting new legislation.
The discussion paper is available here.

Euroheat & Power Seminar "Methodologies on Calculating CHP Products"

On 25 May, Euroheat & Power organised a seminar on "Methodologies for calculating CHP products" within the framework of the OPET CHP/DH cluster project. Main objective of the event was to disseminate the results of the CEN/CENELEC workshop 14 which had been initiated by Euroheat & Power in order to solve questions in relation with the implementation of Annex II of the Directive.

Commission official Guido de Wilt informed participants about the comitology/implementation process and issues to be solved. Other speakers focused on the more technical questions, the workshop process and results. The CWA 14 is expected to serve as a major input to the commitology procedure.
More info at: www.euroheat.org/Methodologies for calculating CHP products.html

Communication on Renewables

The European Commission recently issued a communication on renewables assessing the different policies and measures implemented in Member States to reach the 12% of RES and 21% of renewable electricity targets in 2010.

Under current trends, the Commission says targets will not be reached - the figures for both targets would rather be in the order of magnitude of 8-10%, respectively 18-19% in 2010. The report attributes the difficulty to reach targets to the slow development of both biomass and renewable heat. If the proposal does not envisage general targets for renewable heat; it says that additional measures will be proposed, complementary to the buildings and CHP directives. The communication announces an EU plan on biomass for the end of 2005 and the intention of setting a post-2010 new EU target for renewables.
Link to the communication:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy/res/legislation/doc/country_profiles/com_2004_366_en.pdf

National Allocation Plans - Infringement Procedure to be launched by Commission

During a press conference on 18 May, Commissioner Wallström proved to be very determined to launch an infringement procedure against Member States who have not yet presented their allocation plans for the emissions trading scheme. These should have been submitted by the 31st of March for the EU 15, and 1st of May for the new Member States.

Only Demark, Germany, Ireland, Finland, Austria, UK, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden, Latvia, Slovenia and finally Slovakia had presented their plans by mid-May. Margot Wallström declared herself quite unhappy about the over-allocations contained in several plans arguing that an excess of allowances would lead to additional efforts in fields not covered by the emissions trading.

Knowing that the emissions markets should start 1st of January 2005, this leaves the Member states being late with their national plans hardly 6 months time to fulfil their commitments

IEA Implementing Agreement - New call for projects

The IEA Implementing Agreement on DHC and CHP will soon launch the call for proposals for the next Annex (3 years period - Annex VIII). The call for proposals is to be finalised during the next meeting of the IEA IA Executive Committee, which takes place on 9-11 June in Sweden. The probable deadline for submitting the project proposals within the area of interests announced in the call will be 1 October 2004. The selected project proposals will receive financial support out of the common budget financed by IEA IA member countries. Each project will be evaluated by a group of experts.
More on IEA IA website

Third Call for Proposals under the 6th Framework Programme

Under the 6th Framework Programme, within the priority theme "Sustainable Energy Systems" the third call for proposals is opened starting from 8 June and closing on 8 December 2004. The focus is on research activities with short and medium term impact.

The European Commission organises an Information Day on 22 June 2004 in Brussels in order to give a detailed overview of the third Call for Proposals, and to offer potential proposers an opportunity to meet, find new partners and discuss.

Main areas covered by the call: Cost-effective supply of renewable energies, Grid issues, Polygeneration, Alternative motor fuels including biofuel-cities & hydrogen for transport, Thematic promotion and dissemination.

In the field of polygeneration, demonstration projects should be aimed at improving the efficiency of an overall system covering supply and demand - the complete spectrum from primary energy sources to energy services for private or industrial consumers.
Priority areas will be: the improvement of competitiveness of poligeneration, innovative integration of poligeneration.
More details at: http://www.managenergy.net/conference/infoday0604.html

 

Previous articles : Archive