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    	<title>CE Delft - Built Environment</title>
		<copyright>Copyright (c) 2012, CE Delft</copyright>
		<link>http://www.ce.nl/ce/rapporten/114/</link>
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		<language>nl</language>
		<description>CE Delft Rich Site Summary</description>
		<webMaster>webmaster@ce.nl (Webmaster)</webMaster>
		        
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Functional design of VESTA]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/functional_design_of_vesta/1211</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/functional_design_of_vesta/1211</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[At the request of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, PBL, a geographical computer model (&amp;lsquo;VESTA&amp;rsquo;) has been developed of energy use in the built environment. In this first phase the emphasis is on elaborating demand for heat. For each post code district the model calculates this demand from building data, distinguishing between housing, utilities and horticultural greenhouses. It is then determined whether waste heat is locally available and whether this can be cost-effectively supplied to the buildings in question. The cost-effectiveness of geothermal energy and heat/cold storage is also calculated. A geographical computer model like VESTA is essential for such calculations, because the cost-effectiveness of &amp;nbsp;heat grids is highly dependent on distance and building density. &amp;nbsp;

CE Delft elaborated the functional design of the VESTA model, including all the required formulae for energy computations and calculations of costs, yields and efficiencies, as well as determining the default values of the various parameters used.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:44:11 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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			<title><![CDATA[MRA: en route to energy neutrality]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/mra%3A_en_route_to_energy_neutrality/1175</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/mra%3A_en_route_to_energy_neutrality/1175</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[The Amsterdam Metropolitan Region (MRA) is a platform of local and regional authorities in the northern part of the Dutch coastal conurbation comprising 36 local authorities, the city region of Amsterdam and the provincial executives of Noord-Holland and Flevoland. MRA has announced the joint pledge of becoming &amp;ldquo;energy-neutral&amp;rdquo; as a region by the year 2040: by then, the region&amp;rsquo;s entire energy consumption is to be sustainably generated within the same region. The Route Map drawn up by MRA describes how these aspirations are to be achieved.

To this end, current energy consumption patterns were first quantified. The options for energy conservation and renewable energy generation was then assessed and ranked in order of cost-effectiveness, with economic and employment impacts also being duly considered. If the aspirations are indeed realised, ultimate cost savings on fossil-based energy in the region will amount to some three billion Euro annually. 

While these aspirations are certainly feasible, the platform has made it clear that major efforts will be required. One key element is to ensure there is sufficient support among both citizens and the business community. The Route Map sets out the steps that need to be taken in the short as well as longer term and the parties that will need to be involved. The focus is on elements on which collaboration under the MRA umbrella will have distinct added value or is even essential. The Route Map also includes a joint agenda for lobbying both the national government and the EU. A number of iconic projects are furthermore described, designed to provide tangible evidence of the value of collaboration to society at large.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:59:06 +0200</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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			<title><![CDATA[IPO National Road-map Waste Heat]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/ipo_national_road-map_waste_heat/1165</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/ipo_national_road-map_waste_heat/1165</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[In the Climate and Energy Agreement between the provinces and the government, the provinces include how they contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, energy conservation and increased use of renewable energy sources. One of the aspects of this Agreement is to identify the opportunities for the maximum utilization of waste heat.

Using the recently published Heat Atlas (Warmteatlas)&amp;nbsp;Of the National Centre for Expertise on Heat (Nationaal Expertisecentrum Warmte, NEW) by Agentschap NL, a quick scan was done of the potential of waste heat that is available per province. It can be assumed that potentially available waste heat in The Netherlands is around 100 PJ per year, about one third of the current heat consumption of Dutch households. About 57 PJ of useful heat can be used for heat supply to households (e.g. district heating). Enough for 1.2 million households and a CO2 reduction of 3,200 kton.

The provinces of The Netherlands vary widely. Both in heat supply and demand, and in view of government roles and the policy on heat. Not all provinces have to engage in active policies on waste heat or have the resources to fund projects. It is concluded that it is not possible for a generic set of policy recommendations for all provinces by which a successful use of waste heat is guaranteed.

A specific set of recommendations for every province is formulated. For all provinces together the IPO National Road-map Waste Heat was drawn up. This Road-map contains a number of concrete recommendations for the provinces, Agentschap NL and the national government. These recommendations concern the biggest obstacles in terms of legislation and facilitate the realization of waste heat projects in the provinces. 

    
        
            
            
            Total 
            heat
            demand
            (TJ)
            
            
            Useful 
            heat
            demand
            (TJ)
            
            
            Waste
            heat
            supply 
            (TJ)
            
            
            Potential
            use
            (TJ)
            
            
            
            Potential
            use
            (dwellings)
            
            
            
            CO2
            reduction
            (kton)
            
            
            
        
        
            Zuid-Holland
            63.585
            50.159
            25.325
            13.782
            297.000
            780
        
        
            Gelderland
            42.391
            42.007
            16.900
            9.829
            211.000
            556
        
        
            Limburg
            26.144
            35.581
            14.300
            7.317
            157.000
            414
        
        
            Noord-Brabant
            52.886
            28.174
            14.113
            8.063
            173.000
            456
        
        
            Groningen
            13.027
            13.979
            7.713
            2.144
            46.000
            121
        
        
            Noord-Holland
            54.510
            16.280
            7.225
            5.876
            126.000
            333
        
        
            Zeeland
            8.004
            13.975
            5.950
            1.783
            38.000
            101
        
        
            Overijssel
            23.578
            4.888
            3.375
            3.059
            66.000
            173
        
        
            Drenthe
            11.635
            6.051
            3.188
            1.814
            39.000
            103
        
        
            Utrecht
            24.473
            4.231
            2.113
            2.000
            43.000
            113
        
        
            Friesland
            14.349
            4.178
            1.650
            550
            12.000
            31
        
        
            Flevoland
            6.192
            4.070
            750
            750
            16.000
            42
        
        
            Total
            340.776
            223.572
            102.600
            56.967
            1.224.000
            3.224
        
    


Disclaimer: For this study use has been made of data provided in the Heat Atlas published by NL Agency, which has stated that these data are not suitable for quantitative calculations. Their usefulness is thus limited to identification of potential opportunities, which was the goal of the present study. The full disclaimer of the Heat Atlas is available (in Dutch) at www.warmteatlas.nl.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:43:02 +0200</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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			<title><![CDATA[Energy saving potential under the Dutch Environmental Control Act]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_saving_potential_under_the_dutch_environmental_control_act/1146</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_saving_potential_under_the_dutch_environmental_control_act/1146</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[In the Netherlands businesses and institutions are obliged under the Environmental Control Act to take steps to conserve energy if the costs of such measures can be recuperated within five years. A study by CE Delft and the DCMR Environmental Protection Agency shows that in the Netherlands as a whole there is potential for saving 47 PJ a year (the energy consumption of 500,000 dwellings) simply by following the letter of the Environmental Control Act &amp;ndash; which is good news for every local authority pursuing pro-active climate policy. 

The study is based on energy checks carried out over the past few years by DCMR at around 400 larger organisations such as secondary schools, nursing homes and offices. Besides providing information on energy performance, this also yielded insight into the usefulness and necessity of energy conservation measures. This environmental target approach is also available at www.dcmr.nl. If local authorities throughout the Netherlands were to follow up on the Environmental Control Act in this way, these kinds of institutions could on average save 15-20% on their energy consumption by implementing cost-effective measures with a payback of five years or less. On the basis of this study it can be concluded that it makes sense for local authorities to make systematic efforts to conserve energy in conformity with the Environmental Control Act, because this can lead to substantial savings on energy consumption.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 May 2011 10:59:38 +0200</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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			<title><![CDATA[200-200 in 2020Review of potential Dutch heat capacity]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/200-200_in_2020%3Cbr%3Ereview_of_potential_dutch_heat_capacity/1120</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/200-200_in_2020%3Cbr%3Ereview_of_potential_dutch_heat_capacity/1120</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[In the Netherlands demand for heat currently represents around 40% of total energy demand. In this country it is above all the built environment, industry (incl. the energy sector) and greenhouse horticulture that account for this relatively high percentage. These sectors vary in their demand characteristics as well as in the options available for heat savings and procurement of sustainably generated heat. For the organisation Warmtenetwerk (&amp;lsquo;Heat Grid&amp;rsquo;) CE Delft conducted a literature study to identify technical savings options in these sectors and the volume of heat that can be supplied sustainably.

As various studies have shown, in the absence of new policies there will be little if any change in demand for heat over the next ten years. At the same time, however, there are numerous options for bringing about just such a change. This study shows that the technical potential exists to save almost 300 PJ of heat by 2020. The most important measures are the following:&amp;nbsp;

    Insulation measures in the built environment
    Process improvements in industry
    Utilisation of waste heat from power stations and waste incinerators
    Cogeneration (combined heat and power generation)

For the horizon of 2020 adopted in this study the sustainable options also provide almost 300 PJ potential. In this case the main options are the following:

    Geothermal energy in greenhouse horticulture and the built environment
    Biogas for bio-cogeneration, or green gas
    Heat pumps/heat-cold storage for the built environment
    Heat from biomass (bio-boilers) for greenhouse horticulture and industry

Although the technical potentials of heat conservation and sustainable heat are approximately the same, the two approaches differ in cost effectiveness. While almost 200 PJ of heat savings can be achieved cost-effectively, this amount is very limited in the case of the sustainable heat options. For an additional price of 10 &amp;euro;/GJ, however, the same figure of 200 PJ of sustainable heat is feasible. Compared with green power options (offshore and onshore wind, photovoltaics), a strong policy focus on heat con-servation and sustainably produced heat would therefore appear to be the logical choice, both economically and to make use of the available potential.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:27:28 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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			<title><![CDATA[Sustainable urban (re)development ]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/sustainable_urban_%28re%29development_/1093</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/sustainable_urban_%28re%29development_/1093</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[The urbanization process in large parts of the world requires an adequate urban development response. This might be found in the modern concept of sustainable urban (re)development, which adequately integrates spatial planning, socio-economic stimuli and ecological solutions. The study provides policy makers with insights and powerful examples of sustainable urban (re)development and of the underlying strategies.
Based on numerous earlier exercises, relevant indicators and parameters are listed, clustered and incorporated into a framework that can be used to assess actual situations.

Six cities are selected and analysed: Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Ottawa, Rotterdam, San Francisco and Vancouver. The main consideration to select these cities is that the project is part of a Memorandum of Understanding between Canada and the Netherlands. Another reason is that these cities are considered to be exemplary front runners with respect to sustainable urban development. The analyses of the cities are intended to obtain a better understanding of the effectiveness of sustainable urban development strategies in general and not to judge, rank or benchmark the cities in any way.
The cities show interesting similarities and differences in their approaches as well as unique pilots, which are elaborated upon in the report.
&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:05:05 +0200</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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			<title><![CDATA[Halving CO2 emissions in the built environment]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/halving_co2_emissions_in_the_built_environment/1079</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/halving_co2_emissions_in_the_built_environment/1079</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Some time soon major decisions will have to be made about effective environmental policies for the built environment. At the request of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency CE Delft has conducted a study into potential tools for this purpose. The aim of the study was to analyse the possibilities and limitations of nine potential policy instruments designed to achieve a major cut in CO2 emissions in the built environment of at least 50% in 2030 relative to 1990. 

Along with an analysis of the problems hampering improved energy efficiency, the report describes and analyses a series of policies ranging from subsidies to a carbon tax, considering not only their (social as well as direct) costs but also their effectiveness and practicability. These nine policy instruments vary in their robustness and thus in their impact in social terms, administrative terms and effectiveness for the purpose at hand. The assessment methodology employed was based on the one hand on an analysis of previous research: proceeding from empirical studies, what can we conclude with relative certainty? On the other hand, a digital survey was carried out to establish expert opinion regarding the instruments concerned.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:20:59 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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			<title><![CDATA[Amsterdam Energy Transition 2040 ]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/amsterdam_energy_transition_2040_/1080</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/amsterdam_energy_transition_2040_/1080</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[To engender a transition to sustainable energy systems the municipality of Amsterdam has elaborated an 'Energy Strategy 2040' describing the main routes by which this can be achieved in each of the sectors concerned. The document thus provides input for the city&amp;rsquo;s 'structural vision' document for 2040.

The Energy Strategy is set out in terms of CO2 emission cuts, in part because climate policy is one of the strategy&amp;rsquo;s cornerstones, though certainly not the only one. Among other key elements are social and economic policies. This is because policies to boost energy efficiency and encourage sustainable forms of power generation also require attention to acceptable variable housing costs and security of supply. In addition, policies on building insulation, efficient in-house installations and renewable energy sources like solar cells and wind turbines will have a major impact on regional employment as well as stimulating industrial innovation.

This means the Energy Strategy for 2040 is also an example of forward-looking social and economic policy. In adopting this strategy Amsterdam has chosen to be a front-runner, showing what is feasible and that it is feasible, with an appeal to citizens, industry and other government agencies to follow its lead. The local authority itself is setting a good example by striving for 100% climate-neutrality in 2015.&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:11:44 +0200</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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			<title><![CDATA[Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) in North Africa ]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/concentrating_solar_power_%28csp%29_in_north_africa_/982</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/concentrating_solar_power_%28csp%29_in_north_africa_/982</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[CE Delft has investigated the scope for developing Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) in North Africa and the potential for delivering the output to the Europe. 

The findings were as follows. In technical terms CSP is a proven technology and 
North Africa is excellently placed as a region to develop it. There is sufficient potential for distributing renewably sourced power from here to the countries of the EU. As yet, though, the Dutch government&amp;rsquo;s focus in developing renewable energy is firmly within the country&amp;rsquo;s own territory (as with onshore and offshore wind power and solar cells). When it comes to developing CSP, Dutch industries still show a preference for the south of Europe rather than North Africa. 

Meanwhile, however, twelve major European companies have announced their intention to invest around &amp;euro; 400 billion in creating the infrastructure and capacity for generating solar power in North Africa. CE Delft sees opportunities for the Netherlands &amp;ndash; government, knowledge institutes and industry &amp;ndash; to respond to these developments and contribute to the sustainable development of North African nations, exploiting the opportunities that CSP brings with it in this particular region.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:48:10 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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			<title><![CDATA[District heat in the Netherlands]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/district_heat_in_the_netherlands/980</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/district_heat_in_the_netherlands/980</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[In 2010 a new Heat Act is scheduled to come into force in the Netherlands, with the aim of ensuring fair terms and prices for consumers of district heat. The Office of Energy Regulation, part of the Netherlands Competition Authority, will be responsible for overseeing compliance with the legislation. Among other activities, the Office will be establishing policy rules laying down the conditions to be adhered to in establishing a reasonable price for heat supply. To adequately effectuate compliance with these rules, the Office commissioned CE Delft to conduct two studies, one to inventory existing Dutch heat grids, suppliers, producers and tariffs, the other providing insight into the main cost drivers of heat supply. 

Dutch heat grids: a market analysis
In the Netherlands district heat systems come in all shapes and sizes, from large scale grids with tens of thousands of connections to small grids serving only a handful of consumers. In collaboration with the energy companies involved and research organisations like SenterNovem, CE Delft has carried out a full survey of the country&amp;rsquo;s heat grids.

In this survey a distinction was made between large and small scale grids, with the dividing line set at 5,000 connections. The Netherlands has thirteen large scale grids serving approximately 227,000 consumers, the heat for which is supplied by big power generators (including Eneco, Essent and Nuon). In addition, these suppliers deliver heat to around 300 small scale grids. The other small scale grids, some 6,600 in all, are owned and operated by housing corporations, owner associations, project developers and other such parties. A total of 336,000 homes are connected to a small scale grid.

The heat tariffs charged by the major energy companies are based mainly on the&amp;nbsp; NMDA tariff recommendations drawn up by EnergieNed, the country&amp;rsquo;s energy trade association. The tariffs charged by the other suppliers (housing corporations, owner associations, etc.) are often computed by heat cost allocation agencies, based on the actual costs of heat supply.

The main heat sources for the large scale grids are (gas-fired) cogeneration plant and conventional (gas- and coal-fired) power plant, with a small fraction deriving from renewables. Small scale grids are fed with heat from a wide range of sources, from cogeneration plant (both small and large) and conventional boilers to heat and cold storage systems and communal solar boilers.

Cost drivers of heat supply in the Netherlands
In this second CE Delft study two types of factor driving heat supplier costs were distinguished: those influencing costs that are independent of supply and those influencing supply-dependent costs. The former have no (direct) relation with the amount of heat supplied, while the latter rise (proportionally) with increasing supply. 

The study shows that the main cost drivers in the first category are the size and age of the heat grid and historical acquisition costs (wage and material costs at the time of the initial investments). The supply-dependent costs (i.e. the price paid to generators) are governed by the type of heat source involved, cost-sharing arrangements between the heat distributor and producer, and the nature and scale of supply.

The profitability figures cited by heat suppliers vary considerably, depending on the grid concerned: from -11% to 23% for large scale grids and from -258% to 7% for small scale grids. Heat suppliers in a position to do so often opt for a portfolio strategy, using profitable heat grids to compensate for loss-making ones.&amp;nbsp; ]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:49:07 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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			<title><![CDATA[The energy transition starts regionally  ]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/the_energy_transition_starts_regionally__/971</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/the_energy_transition_starts_regionally__/971</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[The national government can do far more to support regional initiatives in the field of sustainable energy. This is the conclusion drawn by the Rathenau Institute on the basis of the report &amp;lsquo;The energy transition starts regionally&amp;rsquo;, prepared on commission by CE Delft.

The report examines three regional sustainability initiatives, as a pars pro toto for a broader trend: the Rotterdam Climate Initiative, under which the city has pledged to achieve a 50% cut in its CO2 emissions by 2025 relative to 1990 levels; the plans set out by the island of Texel to base its energy supply entirely on renewables by 2020; and Energy Valley, a partnership between the country&amp;rsquo;s three northernmost provinces that seeks to strengthen the region&amp;rsquo;s economy by developing new energy activities. 

In the report the Rathenau Institute argues that national legislation and regulations need to be streamlined and regions afforded greater scope for pursuing ambitions going beyond the national standards currently in place. There is also a need for an unambiguous vision by national government as to how the Netherlands is to engineer the transition to a sustainable energy supply.

Sustainability is not getting off the ground 
The study indicates that, in the regions considered, there is plenty of enthusiasm and expertise as well as a desire to collaborate. As yet, however, the goal of making the energy supply sustainable is not really getting off the ground. In elaboration of the various plans, the opportunities for energy-saving and use of renewables are not being fully exploited.

Owing to economic factors &amp;ndash; Rotterdam as a major international port, Texel&amp;rsquo;s tourist industry on and gas production in the north &amp;ndash; the emphasis is very much on continued use of fossil energy. Whether that will be a cleaner and greener enterprise than at present is anything but clear, though, as there is still insufficient support for carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Government support for regions 
Another conclusion of the study is that national government can do far more to support regional sustainability initiatives. When it comes to energy conservation, regional players are often keen to go beyond today&amp;rsquo;s national standards but lack the legal mandate to impose additional energy efficiency requirements. National standards therefore need to be made more ambitious. There is also a need for greater legal scope for regions that want to set their sights higher.

Similarly, plans for renewable energy systems are often thwarted by barriers in national legislation. To make use of the opportunities of renewable energy at the local level, legislation should far more of the &amp;ldquo;yes, provided&amp;rdquo; variety rather than today&amp;rsquo;s &amp;ldquo;no, unless&amp;rdquo;.

Finally, the Rathenau Institute concludes that regions would benefit from a clearer and more explicitly propagated vision on the part of national government as to how the Netherlands intends to flesh out the transition to a sustainable energy future, thereby making clear which initiatives the government intends to support for the long haul. With this kind of vision in place, it becomes far easier for the regions to create broad public support for large-scale energy projects like wind farms and CCS.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 Mar 2011 08:34:37 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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			<title><![CDATA[Electrical concepts for homes]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/electrical_concepts_for_homes/970</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/electrical_concepts_for_homes/970</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Energy concepts at the level of the individual dwelling focus predominantly on the building&amp;rsquo;s heating requirements, with very few, if any, such concepts available for electrical demand. For simplicity&amp;rsquo;s sake, it is often assumed that enough electricity can always be taken from or fed back into the grid, using the storage and distribution capacity of that grid. 

The envisaged result of this project is a survey of new electrical energy concepts for dwellings in which electrical demand for and/or grid load are reduced. &amp;ldquo;Concepts&amp;rdquo; is taken to mean both a coherent package of technologies and a theoretical description thereof.

By reducing the electrical demand of individual dwellings it becomes progressively easier to meet that demand in full using new technologies like photovoltaic solar cells (PV), small-scale wind turbines and &amp;lsquo;home power plants&amp;rsquo; (micro-heat and power generation), as this means the systems adopted can be made smaller and thus cheaper.

A first-pass review indicates there are presently only a few concrete, mature concepts available in the marketplace. What we see are a number of demonstration projects and pilot schemes, together with a series of technologies in various phases of market introduction that can serve as building blocks for a concept. To &amp;ldquo;join up the dots&amp;rdquo; between these demonstration projects and pilots, in this report four key concepts of a more theoretical nature are described, rooted in different conceptions of a dwelling&amp;rsquo;s function in the power grid.

The demonstration projects and technologies identified have been incorporated into these key concepts and then further elaborated with respect to marketing phase, level of application and benefits for the power supply.

Although the report focuses on dwellings, the results are also valid for shops and other small businesses and for combinations of these with private dwellings.&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;

The report will be of interest to developers, construction firms, home contractors, housing corporations, energy companies, grid operators and government policy-makers.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:34:17 +0200</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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			<title><![CDATA[Impact and elaboration of an Energy Conservation Fund]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/impact_and_elaboration_of_an_energy_conservation_fund/972</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/impact_and_elaboration_of_an_energy_conservation_fund/972</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[This report, prepared at the request of the Dutch environment ministry, VROM, looks into the options for setting up an Energy Conservation Fund to encourage investments in energy efficiency by private home owners and the utility building sector. It examines the costs and impacts of energy conservation measures and the (financial) barriers currently impeding their implementation. A range of incentives for removing these barriers are then assessed, viz. a government guarantee on loans, a subsidy on interest payments, a limited investment subsidy and several hybrid variants. The option &amp;lsquo;energy loan with guarantee&amp;rsquo; is then elaborated in more detail. 

One of the report&amp;rsquo;s final conclusions is that loan access and affordability are a necessary but not sufficient condition for securing substantial cuts in CO2 emissions and an attendant improvement in local environmental quality and quality of life. It is therefore recommended to make serious efforts on other fronts, too, so that the lack of knowledge and sense of urgency and ingrained opposition on the part of home owners can be remedied. In this respect, first and second time buyers in lower and medium income brackets are a key target group.

Meanwhile, political agreement has been reached on the design of a guarantee scheme for energy credits, to be announced this month in the Government Gazette.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:46:04 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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			<title><![CDATA[Warming up to heat]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/warming_up_to_heat/896</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/warming_up_to_heat/896</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[A public district heat grid in Haaglanden Municipal District can lead to a substantial cut in CO2 emissions in the region. Estimates of the potential indicate that annual CO2 savings may be as much as 130-190 kt CO2 in 2020. A public heat grid will also have a positive impact on both air quality and energy security and offers plenty of scope for &amp;lsquo;greening&amp;rsquo; the energy supply. However, a recent study by the Rotterdam municipal works department and past experience have shown that it is by no means straightforward to create a regional heat grid, because of the major financial investments involved. In particular, the use of heat sources like industrial waste heat, deep geothermal heat and heat from horticultural greenhouses involve major operating risks, though it is precisely these sources that can lead to substantial cuts in CO2 emissions. If the heat can be directly utilised, however, the risks are limited. This was the main reason for officials to reverse the order of the &amp;lsquo;chicken and the egg&amp;rsquo;: while in the past the main emphasis was on getting these large-scale heat sources up and running (as in the case of industrial waste heat and deep geothermal, for example), the aim now is to first generate substantial demand for heat before exploiting the sources in question. Given the cited advantages, it is important to create support for a public heat grid in the Municipal District. This brief report sets out a provisional operating strategy for developing a public heat grid as well as a concrete administrative road map for achieving this aim. Key initial steps in this process are to establish a &amp;lsquo;Steering Party on Heat Utilisation in Haaglanden&amp;rsquo; and draw up a so-called &amp;lsquo;Heat Contract&amp;rsquo; in which local authorities commit themselves to developing a regional grid. ]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:14:20 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
		</item>
		
		        
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[EPL Monitor 2008]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/epl_monitor_2008/952</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/epl_monitor_2008/952</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[EPL, the Dutch acronym for Housing Estate Energy Performance, is a measure of the total CO2 emissions associated with such an estate. Since 1999 the so-called &amp;lsquo;EPL monitor&amp;rsquo; has been recalibrated at regular intervals for both newbuild estates and renovation projects and in 2008 this exercise was again performed. All in all, the EPL of over 80 newbuild estates and around 50 renovation projects was determined. By means of a written questionnaire it was also investigated what role the regional approach developed by SenterNovem has played in energy-saving on estates over and above the legal obligation. The respondents were satisfied about this support, stating that this approach has often contributed to additional energy savings.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 Feb 2011 15:05:59 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
		</item>
		
		        
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[EPL Monitor 2008]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/epl_monitor_2008/951</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/epl_monitor_2008/951</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[EPL, the Dutch acronym for Housing Estate Energy Performance, is a measure of the total CO2 emissions associated with such an estate. Since 1999 the so-called &amp;lsquo;EPL monitor&amp;rsquo; has been recalibrated at regular intervals for both newbuild estates and renovation projects and in 2008 this exercise was again performed. All in all, the EPL of over 80 newbuild estates and around 50 renovation projects was determined. By means of a written questionnaire it was also investigated what role the regional approach developed by SenterNovem has played in energy-saving on estates over and above the legal obligation. The respondents were satisfied about this support, stating that this approach has often contributed to additional energy savings.
]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:35:48 +0200</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Transition strategy for electricity heat]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/transition_strategy_for_electricity_heat/897</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/transition_strategy_for_electricity_heat/897</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[The Regieorgaan Energietransitie, the body responsible for coordinating a move to greener energy systems in the Netherlands, has drawn up a strategy for making the production of electricity and heat/cold more sustainable. The strategy comprises the following elements:

    maximum energy conservation
    priority for renewable capacity and energy-efficient cogeneration
    consequently, less scope for new &amp;lsquo;must-run&amp;rsquo;, baseload capacity&amp;hellip;
    &amp;hellip;along with greater need for flexible, &amp;lsquo;quick-fire&amp;rsquo; gas-fired capacity
    initially &amp;lsquo;gas&amp;rsquo; can be natural gas, but with growing use of coal gas and biogas with time.

For this study, in which CE Delft teamed up with Jan Paul van Soest&amp;rsquo;s Sustainability Consulting this strategy was further underpinned and its robustness assessed in a series of computer simulations at Delft Technological University. These calculations show that in the generating system operated in north-west Europe &amp;lsquo;must-run&amp;rsquo; capacity&amp;nbsp; and renewable capacity are at odds with one another. If the Dutch government&amp;rsquo;s major policy programme &amp;lsquo;Clean and Efficient&amp;rsquo; is implemented as planned, there will be very little scope for (new) baseload capacity. One good way of integrating the fluctuating supply of renewable energy (particularly wind) into the system is to use &amp;lsquo;quick-fire&amp;rsquo; generating capacity burning gas. In the relatively short term (by around 2020-2025) this is the only realistic route for integrating wind power.


]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:43:26 +0200</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
		</item>
		
		        
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Energy performance requirements for existing homes]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_performance_requirements_for_existing_homes/889</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_performance_requirements_for_existing_homes/889</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[


 One of the main goals of the Dutch Energy Transition Platform for the Built Environment (PeGO) is to achieve a 30 percent reduction in energy consumption in the built environment by 2020. As part of these efforts the platform is keen to explore the scope for including a general energy performance requirement in the Building Decree, applicable to all existing dwellings. In the &amp;lsquo;Clean and Efficient&amp;rsquo; programme - in which the sitting government describes how it intends to secure its climate policy targets - this is also cited as a policy option.

This led to an exploratory study on acceptable and affordable energy performance requirements for this sector and an indication of the potential reduction in CO2 emissions that can thus be achieved. In this study an energy-saving measure is deemed affordable if the investment is recuperated within the technical lifetime. Most dwellings rented by housing co-ops and other such organisations can achieve a &amp;lsquo;B&amp;rsquo; label by means of cost-effective investments. This would yield roughly 2.4 of the envisaged 2.6 Mt CO2 reduction and would consequently make a sizeable contribution to the climate targets for the built environment in 2020. In the case of private ownership, a &amp;lsquo;B&amp;rsquo; label can only be cost-effectively achieved for about 15% of dwelling types. This is around 22% of the total private housing stock as of the year 2000. Compared with housing co-ops, private owners have less scope for implementing energy-saving measures across an entire complex of buildings, leading to higher costs. If a &amp;lsquo;B&amp;rsquo; label is indeed attainable in these 22% of dwellings, a CO2 reduction of around 1.5 Mt is feasible. As about 79% of the housing stock currently scores worse than a &amp;lsquo;C&amp;rsquo; label, it is quite probable that making a &amp;lsquo;C&amp;rsquo; label mandatory would also lead to interesting CO2 reductions. Subsequently, though, it would be relatively expensive to achieve an &amp;lsquo;A&amp;rsquo; or &amp;lsquo;B &amp;lsquo; label.&amp;nbsp; 
One&iuml;&iquest;&frac12; of OnOne of the main goals of the Dutch Energy Transition Platform for the Built Environment (PeGO) is to achieve a 30 percent reduction in energy consumption in the built environment by 2020. As part of these efforts the platform is keen to explore the scope for including a general energy performance requirement in the Building Decree, applicable to all existing dwellings. In the &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;Clean and Efficient&iuml;&iquest;&frac12; programme - in which the sitting government describes how it intends to secure its climate policy targets - this is also cited as a policy option.This led to an exploratory study on acceptable and affordable energy performance requirements for this sector and an indication of the potential reduction in CO2 emissions that can thus be achieved. In this study an energy-saving measure is deemed affordable if the investment is recuperated within the technical lifetime. Most dwellings rented by housing co-ops and other such organisations can achieve a &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;B&iuml;&iquest;&frac12; label by means of cost-effective investments. This would yield roughly 2.4 of the envisaged 2.6 Mt CO2 reduction and would consequently make a sizeable contribution to the climate targets for the built environment in 2020. In the case of private ownership, a &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;B&iuml;&iquest;&frac12; label can only be cost-effectively achieved for about 15% of dwelling types. This is around 22% of the total private housing stock as of the year 2000. Compared with housing co-ops, private owners have less scope for implementing energy-saving measures across an entire complex of buildings, leading to higher costs. If a &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;B&iuml;&iquest;&frac12; label is indeed attainable in these 22% of dwellings, a CO2 reduction of around 1.5 Mt is feasible. As about 79% of the housing stock currently scores worse than a &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;C&iuml;&iquest;&frac12; label, it is quite probable that making a &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;C&iuml;&iquest;&frac12; label mandatory would also lead to interesting CO2 reductions. Subsequently, though, it would be relatively expensive to achieve an &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;A&iuml;&iquest;&frac12; or &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;B &iuml;&iquest;&frac12; label. One of the main goals of the Dutch Energy Transition Platform for the Built Environment (PeGO) is to achieve a 30 percent reduction in energy consumption in the built environment by 2020. As part of these efforts the platform is keen to explore the scope for including a general energy performance requirement in the Building Decree, applicable to all existing dwellings. In the &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;Clean and Efficient&iuml;&iquest;&frac12; programme - in which the sitting government describes how it intends to secure its climate policy targets - this is also cited as a policy option.This led to an exploratory study on acceptable and affordable energy performance requirements for this sector and an indication of the potential reduction in CO2 emissions that can thus be achieved. In this study an energy-saving measure is deemed affordable if the investment is recuperated within the technical lifetime. Most dwellings rented by housing co-ops and other such organisations can achieve a &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;B&iuml;&iquest;&frac12; label by means of cost-effective investments. This would yield roughly 2.4 of the envisaged 2.6 Mt CO2 reduction and would consequently make a sizeable contribution to the climate targets for the built environment in 2020. In the case of private ownership, a &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;B&iuml;&iquest;&frac12; label can only be cost-effectively achieved for about 15% of dwelling types. This is around 22% of the total private housing stock as of the year 2000. Compared with housing co-ops, private owners have less scope for implementing energy-saving measures across an entire complex of buildings, leading to higher costs. If a &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;B&iuml;&iquest;&frac12; label is indeed attainable in these 22% of dwellings, a CO2 reduction of around 1.5 Mt is feasible. As about 79% of the housing stock currently scores worse than a &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;C&iuml;&iquest;&frac12; label, it is quite probable that making a &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;C&iuml;&iquest;&frac12; label mandatory would also lead to interesting CO2 reductions. Subsequently, though, it would be relatively expensive to achieve an &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;A&iuml;&iquest;&frac12; or &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;B &iuml;&iquest;&frac12; label.&iuml;&iquest;&frac12;      


]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:40:05 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
		</item>
		
		        
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Adaptation and mitigation: their relationship in the built environment]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/adaptation_and_mitigation%3A_their_relationship_in_the_built_environment/899</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/adaptation_and_mitigation%3A_their_relationship_in_the_built_environment/899</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[As the climate changes the Netherlands will be confronted with more frequent heat waves, extreme rainfall and drought. There will also be an increased risk of flooding. The country will have to adapt to the new conditions brought about by climate change (adaptation) while at the same time making efforts to prevent such change (mitigation). But what is the precise relationship between adaptation and mitigation? This report looks into the situation with respect to the built environment. 

The analysis presented in this study shows there are numerous adaptation measures at the level of individual buildings that have a positive impact on mitigation and vice versa. In other words, there is often synergy. There are also plenty of mitigation measures with a neutral effect on adaptation and vice versa. There are only a few adaptation measures with a negative impact on mitigation, the use of fans and air conditioning systems being the most important. Active cooling of dwelling interiors requires energy, leading to CO2 emissions, unless sustainably generated cold (or energy) is used for the purpose. Stakeholders (housing co-ops, architects, developers, councils, etc.) are still very much unaware of the coming shift in domestic energy demand from the winter to summer as average temperatures in the Netherlands rise. Information campaigns could be used to raise the awareness of the groups in question. By applying &amp;lsquo;passive cooling&amp;rsquo; principles (suitable use of shade, south-facing buildings and efficient options for night-time ventilation) homes can be kept comfortable for many years to come. Another key issue is to give due prominence in the Energy Performance Standards for Buildings (EPG) to the amount of energy used in homes for active cooling.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:20:06 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
		</item>
		
		        
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Vision on achieving a major share of renewables]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/vision_on_achieving_a_major_share_of_renewables/892</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/vision_on_achieving_a_major_share_of_renewables/892</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[This report contains the joint recommendations of environmental NGOs, trades unions and energy companies for a future stimulus package for renewable electricity. What all these parties would like to see is a major role for renewable power by the year 2020. The recommendations have been underwritten by the Netherlands Society for Nature and Environment (Stichting Natuur and Milieu), Energy Ned, Nuon, Esent, Eneco, Greenchoice, Greenpeace, the Dutch umbrella organisation on renewable energy and the trades union ABVAKABO FNV, and were facilitated by CE Delft. The resultant document represents a bridge between Green4sure &amp;ndash; the energy plan put forward by the environmental NGOs and trades unions &amp;ndash; and the Energy Agenda 2030 proposed by the energy sector.

The parties argue for a stable set of market instruments to structurally bridge the gap in cost price between renewable and conventional electricity. In 2020 renewable technologies will still be more expensive than their conventional counterparts. Although the current &amp;lsquo;SDE&amp;rsquo; scheme forms a good policy tool for bridging this cost-price differential (the so-called &amp;lsquo;inefficient top&amp;rsquo;) in the coming years, it needs to be improved in two important ways. In the first place it is essential that long-term political commitment be formally laid down for the investments associated with securing the targets. The second area requiring improvement according to the parties is that the funding mechanism for the SDE should be via the electricity price rather than coming from the national budget. 

To stimulate renewable energy production from 2015 onwards, the organisations argue for introduction of an EU-wide commitment by a &amp;lsquo;frontrunner group&amp;rsquo;, possibly including the UK, Poland, Sweden and Belgium. The aim of such a move would be to introduce an &amp;lsquo;escalator&amp;rsquo; under which member states are obliged to annually increase the share of renewables used in meeting national electricity demand. Such a scheme would be tied to a number of solid conditions, including a well-functioning system of &amp;lsquo;green certificates&amp;rsquo; for use among participating countries.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:22:10 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Recommendations on CO2 abatement policy in Rotterdam Municipal District  ]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/recommendations_on_co2_abatement_policy_in_rotterdam_municipal_district__/950</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/recommendations_on_co2_abatement_policy_in_rotterdam_municipal_district__/950</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Rotterdam Municipal District (RMD), comprising all the municipalities in the Rijnmond industrial zone, has pledged to cut its CO2 emissions by 40%. These aspirations emerged from an earlier project in which CE Delft set out the options available, working together with RMD, local councils and other stakeholders. These options have been translated into a Regional Climate agenda.

The main options are as follows:

    Implementation of an energy conservation programme for existing dwellings that ties in with the national programme &amp;lsquo;Doing more with less&amp;rsquo;.
    Tighter energy performance standards for new dwellings.
    Systematic environmental auditing of businesses and institutions for energy-saving policies and if necessary an obligation to implement them, combined with incentives.
    New businesses and institutions: energy efficiency as a condition for establishment in RMD.
    Greenhouse horticulture and offices: creation of a regional physical planning framework for underground storage of cold and heat.

It also emerged from the project that the collaboration under the umbrella of RMD can lead to synergies, by:

    Exchange of know-how and setting up pilot projects.
    Coming to collective arrangements with regional players like housing associations.
    Setting the same requirements on businesses seeking a location.
]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:55:38 +0200</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
		</item>
		
		        
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Texel energy vision and implementation plan]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/texel_energy_vision_and_implementation_plan/861</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/texel_energy_vision_and_implementation_plan/861</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[In collaboration with the local authority CE Delft has developed an energy vision for the Dutch island of Texel. In doing so CE Delft elaborated the various elements of the programme on paper, with the island council taking responsibility for the implementation plan, naturally working closely together and with input from numerous residents and organisations on the island. The result is a vision that enjoys widespread support and one provided with numerous handles for concrete action over the next few years. The plans were approved by the island council in August 2008.

Texel has always been special and so, too, are its ambitions to have a fully sustainable energy supply in 2020. This document first delineates these ambitions as precisely as possible, going on to examine the options available for the various forms of energy use and for stepwise realisation of the goals. The emphasis is on what is feasible, not on what is not. In the process of developing the vision, use was made of transformation charts and other pictorial aids giving insight into what steps need to be taken at what point in time and where. 

On Texel there is plenty of scope for making a success of these efforts. In the past there have already been numerous (pilot) projects in the field of energy conservation and renewable energy, but there is nonetheless a wide chasm between the situation today and ambitions for 2020. We now enter a phase of achieving ‘focus’ on the one hand and ‘volume’ on the other. This will include setting up an organisation to implement the programme. Much depends on the support that is forthcoming from Texel’s population and business community. In technical terms it is feasible; if the will is there, so too will be the way.
]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:35 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
		</item>
		
		        
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Gas4sure - Natural gas as a transition fuel]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/gas4sure_-_natural_gas_as_a_transition_fuel/860</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/gas4sure_-_natural_gas_as_a_transition_fuel/860</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Gas4sure is a programmatic document setting out the role of natural gas in the transition to a sustainable energy supply. Being the cleanest fossil fuel, natural gas will play a relatively key part in this transition from a mainly fossil-based energy supply to one based on efficient technologies and renewable sources. Gas4sure is a follow-up to Green4sure, the green energy plan elaborated by CE Delft for the Dutch environmental and trades unions movements. Green4sure explains how in the next 25 years we can create an energy supply with half today's79 CO2 emissions and what roles the various parties will need to play to make that future feasible. In Gas4sure the use of natural gas is not in itself the aim, but given the marked changes in conditions for the environmental impacts of the energy supply, rather an outline of the role of gas under those conditions.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:44:05 +0200</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
		</item>
		
		        
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Configurations and optimisations of the Amsterdam heat grid]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/configurations_and_optimisations_of_the_amsterdam_heat_grid/893</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/configurations_and_optimisations_of_the_amsterdam_heat_grid/893</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Amsterdam has recently announced ambitious climate targets, with district heating forming a key part of the strategy to secure them. There are regular strategic discussions between the municipal council and market parties on the use of such heat, particularly when large-scale construction and restructuring projects are on the agenda. The council has expressed a need for substantive support in the field of district heat and therefore asked CE Delft to prepare background documentation on the topic. This report, the result of that effort, examines the features of the present district heating system, the issue of CO2 reduction, the advantages of a &amp;lsquo;horseshoe&amp;rsquo; grid and potential innovations for securing even greater environmental gains. The report concludes with a management summary in which CE Delft puts forward its own vision on district heating in Amsterdam.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:26:10 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Background data on electricity labelling 2007]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/background_data_on_electricity_labelling_2007/833</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/background_data_on_electricity_labelling_2007/833</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Since 1 January 2005 power suppliers in the Netherlands have been obliged to label their electricity as to source. CE Delft has reviewed the electricity mix supplied to the Netherlands in 2007. It consists of electricity generated from natural gas (over 50%), hard coal (24%), nuclear (9%) and renewables (13%). In terms of CO2 and radioactive waste, the associated environmental burden is 426 g CO2/KWh and 0.000270 g nuclear waste/KWh.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:57:29 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
		</item>
		
		        
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[CO2 emissions of Amsterdam boroughs]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/co2_emissions_of_amsterdam_boroughs/830</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/co2_emissions_of_amsterdam_boroughs/830</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[This brief report presents energy consumption and CO2 emissions data for each of Amsterdams boroughs (stadsdelen), for households and for trade and industry. These research results, from the report Building blocks for Amsterdams CO2 abatement programme (in Dutch), have been brought together separately to give borough environmental policy coordinators a handy refer-ence document. As such, it is more of an extract from the main report rather than an independent research result.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:18:32 +0200</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Energy saving by Delft businesses: Prioritisation of enterprises and an effective procedure]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_saving_by_delft_businesses%3A_prioritisation_of_enterprises_and_an_effective_procedure/829</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_saving_by_delft_businesses%3A_prioritisation_of_enterprises_and_an_effective_procedure/829</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[For the 1500 small and medium-sized businesses (SME) in Delft the local authority is responsible for implementing the Environmental Control Act, one element of which concerns energy saving. The authority asked CE Delft to assess how this particular issue could best be tackled: 

- which businesses should be afforded priority? 
- what approach can best be adopted for these SME?  

The project started by inventorying the relevant businesses and their energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The total CO2 emissions of the Delft busi-ness community are around 150 kt. Apart from a few major institutions like the in the order of 15-30%.  Next a workshop was held with staff from the local authority's specialist Envi-ronment team. On this occasion the decision was made that in the future a clear distinction should be made between big and small energy users. The former will have a pre-arranged visit geared specifically to energy saving, us-ing a checklist to assess whether available cost-effective measures have in-deed been implemented. With small-scale users the main focus will be on pro-viding information, via the folders put out by organisations like Energiecentrum MKB (Energy Centre for SME) and Infomil.   For 2008 the priorities are the so-called MJA-II enterprises (tackling of free-riders), new construction work (harmonisation with building inspectorate) and supermarkets (mandatory covering of refrigerated cabinets).]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:43:00 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
		</item>
		
		        
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Climate policy costing methodologies]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/climate_policy_costing_methodologies/784</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/climate_policy_costing_methodologies/784</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[This study examines why studies to assess the cost effectiveness of policies addressing the climate impact of transport have yielded such widely different results to date. To this end, experts in the Netherlands were consulted and the national and international literature reviewed. Our analysis of the costing methodologies in use shows there are three types of choice having a major influence on results. The first concerns the perspective adopted. Are costs being considered from the perspective of the end user, society or government? Secondly, there are a series of choices to be made in calculating direct expenditures, with respect to depreciation rates and prior estimates of investments, among other things. Finally, there is a basic choice as to whether only direct expenditures are to be included, or a comprehensive welfare-economic analysis carried out. Are the welfare effects of behavioural change or additional externalities to be included, for instance?]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:21 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Green light for LED2 lighting]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/green_light_for_led2_lighting/755</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/green_light_for_led2_lighting/755</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[At the request of the Energy Conservation Programme Office of the Netherlands’ Direc-torate-General for Public Works &amp; Water Manage&not;ment (Rijkswaterstaat), CE Delft has looked into the benefits of using LED2 lamps rather than incandescent lamps for traffic lights and ship’s signalling lights. For an honest comparison of the environmental im-pact of these lamps, it is not only the use phase that needs to be analysed, but the en-tire life cycle, i.e. raw materials extraction, production, use and ultimate waste disposal.

Taken over a 10 year lifetime, the LED2 lamp scores better than the incandescent lamp on all the environmental themes considered. Although in the raw materials phase a LED2 lamp has a greater environmental impact than an incandescent lamp (due to the circuit board in the former), in the use phase this is more than compensated for. The life cycle environmental impact of an LED2 lamp is thus smaller than that of an incan-descent lamp. The analysis indicates that, based on the available information, it can be concluded that the savings in the use phase more than offset the slightly greater envi-ronmental impact arising in the production chains of the ABS, PC and circuit board.

Regardless of its environmental benefits, a LED2 lamp also provides better visibility, greater reliability and a longer lifetime, thus reducing maintenance costs. 

Based on these results, it is environmentally preferable to use LED2 lamps rather than incandescent lamps (including krypton and halogen units).

]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:35 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Building blocks for Amsterdamï¿½s CO2 reduction programme]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/building_blocks_for_amsterdam%EF%BF%BDs_co2_reduction_programme/754</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/building_blocks_for_amsterdam%EF%BF%BDs_co2_reduction_programme/754</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[The Amsterdam local authority has set itself the target of reducing the city&iuml;&iquest;&frac12;s annual CO2 emissions by 40% in 2025 compared with 1990 and making the municipal organi-sation carbon-neutral by 2015. These are ambitious targets that demand a vigorous and efficient strategy. CE Delft was commissioned by the authority to review the city&iuml;&iquest;&frac12;s carbon emissions in 1990 and 2006 and make a projection for 2025, in each case providing a sectoral breakdown. In addition. an extensive list of possible measures was drawn up (the so-called &iuml;&iquest;&frac12;long list&iuml;&iquest;&frac12;), indicating their potential contribution to securing the target, their lead time and their cost-effectiveness. On this basis it was concluded that the envisaged target is feasible, but that it will require a maximum effort from all parties. Securing it will depend in part on how successful national and European climate policies prove to be and will require the active participation of the city&iuml;&iquest;&frac12;s businesses and citizens. It is as yet impossible to identify concrete reduction measures for securing the full tar-get, but given the project&iuml;&iquest;&frac12;s horizon this is not yet necessary, for innovation is still taking place. What is important is that concrete steps be taken as soon as possible to reverse the upward trend in carbon emissions over the past 15 years and start making substan-tial cuts. Finally, recommendations are made for a monitoring strategy for the CO2 reduction programme, allowing progress to be followed and assessed from time to time and due corrective action to be taken should this prove necessary.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:07:41 +0200</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Energy in the greater Rotterdam region 2007]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_in_the_greater_rotterdam_region_2007/568</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_in_the_greater_rotterdam_region_2007/568</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[For a number of years several local government agencies in the Rijnmond industrial area round Rotterdam have been collaborating on an environmental monitoring programme, publishing a comprehensive environmental status report each year, the MSR review. Given the relevance of energy issues for Rotterdam, this year energy was in the spotlight and CE Delft was commissioned to prepare a thematic sub-report entitled ‘Energy in Rijnmond’, providing a detailed review of Rijnmond’s energy flows. For each of the relevant policy target groups the report inventories emissions, trends, possible abatement measures and the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders. One of the areas of focus is the industry/energy complex, because of the massive flows of energy and CO2 in this area and the substantial investments scheduled in the years ahead. The report concludes with recommendations on regional policies and how they might be monitored.

The report will be used to underpin the Rotterdam Climate Initiative, an ambitious plan drawn up by local government in the Rotterdam district to secure a 50% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. In May 2007 a delegation from the city presented the English-language version to Bill Clinton, leader of the New York-based Clinton Climate Initiative.

]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:21 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Green4sure; A Green Energy Plan*]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/green4sure%3B_a_green_energy_plan%2A/550</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/green4sure%3B_a_green_energy_plan%2A/550</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[On June 5th Dutch environment minister Jacqueline Cramer was presented with the final report of Green4sure, a plan to halve the Netherlands’ carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. This comprehensive and ambitious plan has been elaborated by CE Delft at the request of six of the country’s major trades unions and environmental NGOs. At the heart of the plan is introduction of a system of emission allowances for all energy consumers, either individually (industry, electrical power generation and aviation, to be brought under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme) or collectively (the built environment and transport). To promote acceptance of these ‘climate budgets’, the required efforts and thus the costs have been differentiated according to a three-tier system: a 40% reduction for sectors under the EU ETS, -60% for the built environment and -35% for transport. The allowances for all three systems would be auctioned rather than issued. This core policy would be backed up by a variety of flanking policies, including efficiency standards for vehicles, buildings (new and existing) and appliances.

Given the evident need for urgent action and the fact that climate budgets will take a number of years to implement, Green4sure includes an array of temporary policies. One of these is an interim Power Generation Act setting a cap of 375 g/kWh on the carbon emissions of new generating plant. How this is to be achieved is up to the generator. 

The effects of the plan have been quantitatively assessed, and the targeted 50% reduction in carbon emissions can indeed be achieved, with an attendant 2.1% improvement in energy efficiency. In 2030 the overall costs will be over 4 billion euro, but these will be offset by major benefits totalling around 3 billion a year. There will be slight growth of employment. For the average household, the increase in costs will  rise to around 600 euro over 25 years, but over the same period national income will have grown by 50%. ‘Frugal’ consumers and users will be better off under Green4sure, while their ‘wasteful’ counterparts will face higher costs.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:21 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Understanding policy instruments for ambitious targets]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/understanding_policy_instruments_for_ambitious_targets/721</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/understanding_policy_instruments_for_ambitious_targets/721</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Under its ‘energy transition’ policy, the Netherlands aims to halve CO2 emissions in the built environment in 2030 compared with1990. This report is concerned with the simulation of policies to achieve that target. Policy simulations provide highly instructive insights into this kind of complex problem and facilitate users in the search for solutions, moreover.

According to research by Dutch planning agencies, the existing array of policies will not be enough to secure the envisaged emission targets: in the best case, no more than 10% reduction will be achieved. More drastic measures are therefore needed. This will mean further intensification of current policies, but above all introduction of tougher new regulations, a system of carbon emission rights and/or a further increase in energy taxes. By thus increasing use of clean energy and promoting more efficiently designed buildings/plant/equipment as well as more efficient use thereof, it will be possible to achieve the targets.

Policy simulations are an innovative addition to existing kinds of policy studies and can yield insight the dynamics and effects of a range of policies. A policy simulation allows the professionals involved to themselves experience the consequences of new policy within a short space of time. In a simulation exercise, different policy options can be straightforwardly compared, with their social and environmental impacts being highlighted in very penetrating fashion. In addition, the participants gain a better understanding of their own role in the policy ultimately proposed. 

]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:35 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Directive in sight]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/directive_in_sight/561</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/directive_in_sight/561</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Article 9 of European directive 2006/32/EC on energy end-use efficiency and energy services, issued in 2006, states that member states must repeal or amend any legislation or regulations that unnecessarily or disproportionately impedes or restricts implementation of the directive. This study reviews the extent to which such problems exist in the Netherlands and what steps can be taken to address them. Its specific focus is on financial instruments designed to encourage energy efficiency among all categories of end-users in the Netherlands, except those participating in the European Emissions Trading Scheme. The study identifies the barriers to various kinds of grants, funding and other financial schemes on offer from energy service suppliers.

The results show that at the moment the most relevant barriers arise more from a lack of legislation and regulations rather than any kind of mutual conflict. This is particularly true of legislation on pollution monitoring and groundwater issues. 

Among the potential impediments identified are elements of the Environmental Protection Act, the Waste Substances Act and food safety regulations. In most cases these barriers are understandable and intentional, i.e. intended to guarantee the safety, health or welfare of project principals and residents, and cannot therefore be termed unnecessary or disproportionate. In the case of the Waste Substances Act there does appear to be an unnecessary barrier, though, and steps are now being taken to address the problem. 

Apart from the instances cited, market parties regularly encounter problems relating to the Tenancy Act. Closer examination shows that the barrier lies not so much in the Act itself, but in how the term ‘individual freedom’ is interpreted in tenant-landlord contracts. This means the problem lies outside the scope of directive 2006/32/EC.  

Finally, there is the issue of administrative charges, cited by many market parties as constituting an unnecessary or disproportionate barrier to the effective working of energy efficiency subsidies and funding. The report concludes that much is already being done to reduce these charges, one current area of focus being energy-related charges. 
]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:35 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Energy consumption in the animal feed supply chain]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_consumption_in_the_animal_feed_supply_chain/520</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_consumption_in_the_animal_feed_supply_chain/520</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[The concentrate fed to Dutch livestock embodies at least 62 PJ primary energy consumption, over half of it outside the Netherlands. On average, transport is responsible for a quarter of the energy used, and crop cultivation, including fertiliser use, for 30%. Soya waste is the raw material contributing most to energy use: 18% in 2004. 

In this way, the indirect energy consumption embodied in concentrated feed is responsible for over half the overall energy used by the sectors in question (dairy and meat (processing)). This means there is plenty of scope for improving overall energy efficiency by supply chain measures. In the sectors in question there is major potential for elaborating the kind of “wide-scope” themes mentioned in the Second Long-Term Energy Efficiency Agreements (MJA2), especially as concentrate makes up a substantial share of producer costs. 

This inventory, commissioned by Senternovem, provides interested parties with an extensive review of energy consumption in animal feed (raw material) supply chains. With this information, businesses can get to work under MJA2 or the so-called DKE programme.  
]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:35 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Coalitions for Energy Innovation in Europe*]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/coalitions_for_energy_innovation_in_europe%2A/751</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/coalitions_for_energy_innovation_in_europe%2A/751</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[The ‘Energy Transition’ is a Dutch government initiative that seeks to achieve a struc-tured transition to sustainable energy systems. While current energy policy is con-cerned with securing targets for the year 2010, the Transition programme focuses spe-cifically on the period thereafter. The Dutch government is keen to share this approach with international partners and create alliances for the future. 

At the request of the Interdepartmental Programme on Energy Transitions (IPE) and in collaboration with the Clingendael International Programme (CIEP), CE Delft has car-ried out a pilot study to identify potential European partners for an Energy Transition approach at a strategic political and international level. The project’s guidance commit-tee comprised Messrs. F. Vollenbroek (IPE), F. Dietz (IPE), F. Berkhout (Free Univer-sity of Amsterdam) and E. Breunesse (Shell). 

The procedure adopted was to draw up a series of selection criteria, which were used to perform a quick scan of the 25 EU countries with respect to energy innovation. This led to selection of 6 countries, which were then subjected to a more detailed SWOT analysis. Representatives of these countries (Denmark, Germany, Poland, Spain, Swe-den and the United Kingdom) were then invited to a workshop in The Hague on 24 No-vember 2006 to launch joint actions and/or coalitions, using the SWOT analysis as a background document. 
]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:35 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Energy Conservation Dossier]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_conservation_dossier/507</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_conservation_dossier/507</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[The Energy Conservation Dossier is a comprehensive review of energy saving in the Netherlands. It explains what energy conservation is and how it can be encouraged. The dossier has been published by Sdu as one of a series of dossiers put out by the Dutch journal Stromen.

The dossier shows there is still major scope for energy saving as well as plenty of reasons to do so. It also explains how the policies of the Dutch government and the European Commission tie in with and seek to promote the various conservation options. The question of how additional energy savings can be achieved is discussed on a number of occasions. A major portion of the dossier is devoted to concrete conservation measures, particularly in the built environment, on business estates and in the transport sector. A separate section deals with the avenues available to local government. The options are illustrated with reference to several real-world projects.

One energy-saving concept elaborated for one of the first times at greater length in this dossier is ‘resistance costs’. Many conservation measures often meet with resistance, impeding utilisation of the savings potential they embody. The dossier makes a number of suggestions as to how this resistance might be addressed.

]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:35 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Evaluation of the Longlite QL3]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/evaluation_of_the_longlite_ql3/485</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/evaluation_of_the_longlite_ql3/485</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Oxxio, working in collaboration with Longlite, has plans to launch an attachment for a light bulb which it holds can cut the energy consumption of the bulb without reducing the illumination provided, at the same time achieving a substantial increase in bulb lifetime. As traditional light bulbs still account for a major share of the market and users consciously opt for this type of light source for certain applications, the new product could have significant benefits.

In part-cooperation with Eindhoven Technological University’s Light Laboratory, CE Delft has evaluated these claims and the associated environmental gains. The main conclusion is that the so-called QL3 attachment does indeed cut energy consumption, by 12.2% on average. There is a decrease in illumination, though, such that the total lighting efficiency, expressed in lumen per watt, also declines. Although the claim that the QL3 extends bulb lifetime was not tested experimentally, a study of the documentation provided makes this very plausible.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:35 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
		</item>
		
		        
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Structural energy conservation in the built environment]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/structural_energy_conservation_in_the_built_environment/461</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/structural_energy_conservation_in_the_built_environment/461</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Because there is still plenty of scope for major energy savings in the built environment, in 2005 the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs investigated the feasibility of a system of so-called White certificates (energy-saving certificates) for application in this sector. Under the system it would be obligatory for energy providers to obtain such a certificate. At the request of EnergieNed, CE has analysed three alternative systems, allowing them to be properly evaluated against the proposed White certificates.

The study surveys the most relevant segments and measures and suggests criteria for comparing the various systems. Each of the systems are then put through the calculations and compared as to impact and anticipated support. A workshop with stakeholders was also organised. 

The study indicates that the additional energy savings of 65 PJ/y envisaged by 2020 constitutes an ambitious target. Even if the conservation measures are dovetailed perfectly with ‘natural’ replacement and renovation schedules and so on, there will still be substantial expenditure involved. 

There is no one \'ideal\' system. Rather, the choice is a political one, between comparatively low-cost systems with fairly major implications in terms of implementation and systems costing far more but easier to implement. CE also proposes several compromises. When it comes to choices and estimates, the report reflects the opinion of CE. 


]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:35 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[New EPE strategy]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/new_epe_strategy/462</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/new_epe_strategy/462</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[The Dutch subsidy scheme established as part of the so-called BANS climate agreement (2003) contains the provision that “if the Energy Performance Co-efficient (EPC) for dwellings is tightened in the course of the subsidy scheme, the Energy Performance of Estates (EPE) standard for new dwellings should, if necessary, be tightened proportionally”. On 1 January 2006 the EPC was indeed tightened, from 1.0 to 0.8, and the question therefore arises whether and to what extent EPE targets need to be raised. This report consists of an argued recommendation for a new EPE standard for dwellings under the BANS agreement and a set of Frequently Asked Questions on the consequences of a tighter EPC for the EPE standard. ]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:35 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Energy saving in the built environment]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_saving_in_the_built_environment/460</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_saving_in_the_built_environment/460</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[In the Netherlands the ‘New Gas Platform’ is striving for cleaner and more efficient application of fossil fuels and has set itself a target of 30% less primary energy consumption in the built environment by 2020. The Platform commissioned CE Delft to inventory the institutional bottlenecks and barriers standing in the way of energy conservation and renewable power generation.

The study makes it clear why the principal actors in the built environment do little, if anything, to conserve energy or play their part in creating a sustainable energy supply. The main reasons lie in the only partly rational decision-making process and in concrete barriers and resistance to change. The study report discusses the interrelationships between these issues with reference to a behavioural model.

The problems involved are reviewed in detail for each ‘segment’ of the built environment: production halls, health care, (new) housing, offices and education. The report concludes with a summary of the principal barriers, with suggestions and leverage points for addressing them.

One of the key recommendations is to focus first on production halls, health care and (social, rented) housing, as far as housing construction is concerned. These sectors are relatively free of barriers and good results can therefore be expected in the reasonably short term. Another key recommendation is to embark on a rethink of how to address the barriers and bottlenecks in the remaining sectors – offices, education and private housing construction – which are so broad and substantial that there is little chance of them being removed using simple measures or, indeed, in the short term.
]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:35 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[’Market & Environment’ in the built environment]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/%92market_+en+_environment%92_in_the_built_environment/430</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/%92market_+en+_environment%92_in_the_built_environment/430</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[As a follow-up to the 2003 ‘Market &amp; Environment’ manifesto, a broad alliance of Dutch businesses and NGOs as well as several ministries have been discussing ways of achieving a 50% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions in the built environment and in greenhouse horticulture. In pursuit of this aim an action plan was drawn up, which was recently presented by CE. The challenge was substantial, as the goal was not to develop novel technologies or technical measures, but to identify the options available to government and industry for implementing those that already exist.

Until now the main focus of government and industry has been on promoting innovation, i.e. developing new technologies. All too often, though, the essential next step – scaling-up and actual market introduction – fails to get off the ground, as the innovations struggle to secure a place in today’s markets. Again and again, there proves to be no market for most of the innovations concerned and consequently little if any progress towards sustainable development. As things currently stand, sustainable options and practices manage to penetrate only very modest market niches, outside of which investments are simply too high and financial returns too low. As with any other economic activity, sustainable technologies and activities must bring in revenue, and there is thus a need for some form of market regulation to alter the playing field.

After a year of discussions the parties were unable to draw up a consensus document on these issues and CE Delft therefore decided to prepare an action plan itself. The time is not yet apparently ripe for a broad alliance of this kind to establish a common platform on sustainability. There was, nonetheless, broad satisfaction with the course of the discussions, because they made it clear to all concerned that solid environmental ambitions inevitably require far-reaching measures, but that for many parties these are still ‘one bridge too far’. Based on the discussions and the action plan, CE is now doing further research on the impact of far-reaching measures in the built environment.

The action plan comprises four key elements:a government mechanism putting a cap on fossil energy consumptionefficiency standards for buildings and equipment, wherever possibleincentives for innovation, in the form of temporary grants, etc.removal of barriers.
]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:35 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Energy-saving behaviour]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy-saving_behaviour/484</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy-saving_behaviour/484</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[The aim of this study, commissioned by the Netherlands Energy Council and carried out in collaboration with CEA, was to assess the possible role of ‘soft’ policy instruments (public education, information, feedback, etc.) in securing substantial energy savings. Despite the major savings still potentially achievable, even cost-effective measures that remain available are by no means always implemented. The behaviour of three groups of energy users was investigated: households, small businesses and motorists, for none of whom energy costs form a substantial part of the cost of living or turnover.

With all these groups, there is plenty of resistance to adopting more energy-conserving patterns of behaviour. The study distinguished four types of behaviour: behaviour determining perceived needs, investment behaviour, usage behaviour and the decision to use renewable energy. Resistance to behavioural change was found to be lowest for investments in appliances and clean energy sources among consumers who were both environmentally aware and price-conscious. 

Although ‘soft’ policies can temporarily promote greater rationality in these decisions, in themselves they can make no more than a minor contribution to substantial, long-term, additional energy savings. They are expensive and appeal to only a small group, moreover. The strength of these kinds of policies lies in legitimising and reinforcing the effect of ‘hard’ instruments, which do have the potential for achieving substantial energy savings. 

The study concludes by recommending that the Energy Council employ ‘hard’ policies as the principal means of securing the major energy savings envisaged, backing these up with ‘soft’ policies to increase their effectiveness. ]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:21 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[An Energy-Agri-Cluster as an alternative to the Zuiderzee rail link]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/an_energy-agri-cluster_as_an_alternative_to_the_zuiderzee_rail_link/397</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/an_energy-agri-cluster_as_an_alternative_to_the_zuiderzee_rail_link/397</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[The Energy-Agri-Cluster plan was developed by CE Delft in just a few weeks as a robust, non-transport alternative to the proposed Zuider-zee rail link between Amsterdam and the North of the Netherlands. It is a multi-element programme drawn up as a coherent strategy for improving the North’s economic structure, at the same time giving an impulse to creating a more sustainable national energy supply. This dovetails perfectly with the government’s plans for an Energy Transition, the Energy Valley already operational in the region and the specific features of this area – in particular the major scope for underground CO2 sequestration, the capacity of the Eems Port, and the ‘Agri-cluster’ programme and knowledge infrastructure already in place. The Energy-Agri-Cluster, designed to augment existing government plans, also aims to make the regional economy less sensi-tive to natural gas prices.  

The plan comprises the following core elements: a biomass / coal gasification unit with CO2 storage, a CO2 transport grid, a 2nd-generation ethanol plant, a biorefinery facility, a Blue Energy plant (extracting energy from the freshwater-saltwater interface), a virtual micro-CHP plant and a ‘knowledge network’. The plan, which would require a one-off government subsidy of € 550 million and an additional € 2 billion from private investors, would lead to a CO2 emission reduction of between 5 and 11 Mt annually and create at least 2000 jobs in the long term. 

The Energy-Agri-Cluster has been given a positive assessment by economic consultants Ecorys as well as by a team of experts for the Energy Transition and the Strategic Environmental Assessment committee of the Zuiderzee rail link project.

]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:35 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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			<title><![CDATA[Energy saving potential in the ICT sector]]></title>
			<link>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_saving_potential_in_the_ict_sector/344</link>
			<guid>http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/energy_saving_potential_in_the_ict_sector/344</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[At the request of the provincial Environmental Federations of Drenthe, Groningen and Friesland, CE has carried out an exploratory study on energy consumption in the ICT sector and, more importantly, on ways to reduce it. Several showcase ICT energy saving projects were also tracked down, as a means of aiding the effectiveness of communication and education efforts in this area. 

Given the high energy consumption of data hotels and telecom switches, companies like this have a strong motive for cutting back their energy consumption. ICT consultancies might also have a part to play in transferring information on energy-saving to other companies’ offices. Such advice can lead to substantial cost savings (as at Server Based Computing, though actual savings depend on the chosen configuration), introduction of power management schemes, or replacement of (written-off) ICT equipment by more efficient units. Those interviewed stated that when it comes to such consultancy and purchase of efficient equipment there is a need for a European energy label for ICT and office equipment, as is already the case for many domestic appliances. 

]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:17:35 +0100</pubDate>
			<category>Algemeen</category>
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