An EU Strategy on Heating and Cooling

INTRODUCTION

Heating and cooling consume half of the EU's energy and much of it is wasted. Developing a strategy to make heating and cooling more efficient and sustainable is a priority for the Energy Union. It should help to reduce energy imports and dependency, to cut costs for households and businesses, and to deliver the EU's greenhouse gas emission reduction goal and meet its commitment under the climate agreement reached at the COP21 climate conference in Paris. Although the heating and cooling sector is moving to clean low carbon energy, 75% of the fuel it uses still comes from fossil fuels (nearly half from gas). While this strategy will contribute to reducing import dependency, security of supply remains a priority, especially in Member States that rely on a single supplier. Heating and cooling and the electricity system can support each other in the effort to decarbonise. It is essential to recognise the links between them and exploit synergies. This strategy provides a framework for integrating efficient heating and cooling into EU energy policies by focusing action on stopping the energy leakage from buildings, maximising the efficiency and sustainability of heating and cooling systems, supporting efficiency in industry and reaping the benefits of integrating heating and cooling into the electricity system. It is accompanied by a Staff Working Document giving an overview of this complex sector3 . The solutions will be examined in the ongoing reviews of legislation under the Energy Union. A smarter and more sustainable use of heating and cooling is within reach as the technology is available. Actions can be deployed rapidly, without prior investment in new infrastructure, and with substantial benefits for both the economy and individual consumers, provided that (household) consumers can afford to invest or have access to the finance needed to do so.

VISION AND GOALS

To achieve our decarbonisation objectives, buildings must be decarbonized. This entails renovating the existing building stock, along with intensified efforts in energy efficiency and renewable energy, supported by decarbonized electricity and district heating. Buildings can use automation and controls to serve their occupants better, and to provide flexibility for the electricity system through reducing and shifting demand, and thermal storage. Industry can move in the same direction, taking advantage of the economic case for efficiency and new technical solutions to use more renewable energy. In this sector, however, some fossil fuel demand can be expected for very high temperature processes. Industrial processes will continue to produce waste heat and cold, as will infrastructure. Much of it could be reused in buildings nearby. While this is a vision for the longer term, big gains can be reaped immediately

CHALLENGES

With 50% (546 Mtoe) of final energy consumption in 2012, heating and cooling is the EU’s biggest energy sector. It is expected to remain so.

Renewables accounted for 18% of the primary energy supply for heating and cooling in 2012, while fossil fuels accounted for 75%.

Full report: ec.europa.eu