Organisational members

Topten

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:40:01 +0200

Euro-TopTen is a project in an international level (www.topten.info) and where Quercus is the entity responsible for the project management and development in Portugal. This project is an on-line research tool that pretends to guide the consumers to a better choice of domestic equipments and vehicles. The main criteria considered in this study is the energy efficiency but is considered as well the products life cycle and their impacts on health and environment.

EcoCasa

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:43:51 +0200

In 2004, Quercus began the EcoCasa program with the purpose of reducing energy consumption. Through this project various tools were developed to help citizens making the best energy choices. These included a website (www.ecocasa.org), a consumption simulator – the Virtual Energy House, and a game for kids – the Energy Game.

EcoFamilies Project The EcoFamilies project aim is to evaluate the energy savings potentials and the effects of changes in practice, looking at contributions towards the reduction of energy consumption. In 2006 this program was applied to 30 families in Lisbon region, and in 2007 was implemented to 225 families in a national level. The project focus mainly on the consumption categories of lighting, entertainment and informatics, that together represent about 30% of the total consumption of the EcoFamilies, and where changes in behaviour are crucial to obtain consumption reductions.

Clearing House Project

admin — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:10:30 +0200

The project is based on the EC's intentions for establishing a Clearinghouse for promotion of small-medium scale sustainable energy projects as stated in the EU Green Paper on Energy Efficiency. The technology focus is on RUE in building measures. The intervention of ClearSupport targets project owners - municipalities and residential & associated actors - in the regions Latvia, Lithuania, Northern Poland, Czech Republic and Crete . The results of the performed work and its replication value will be disseminated broadly, especially aiming at 'paving way for better energy building performance in EU less developed regions. The action entails these objectives with a view to facilitating local Clearinghouse establishment by: • Helping to overcome organisational barriers for efficient Clearinghouse operations at local level and giving feedback to the EC on the local implementation process • Helping to create a sound framework for RUE in building projects • Bridging the gab between project owners - municipalities and residential - and the financing sources available for project financing Raising awareness and channel information to the action's target groups on RUE in building projects and Clearinghouse aspects in general The ClearSupport action is expected to serve a vehicle for the development of a European Clearinghouse for small-medium scale sustainable energy projects, and giving feedback to the EC on the implementation process. Its main direct impact will be the initiation of a considerable number of RUE in building projects processed through the PSF. Its further potential is to streamline project handling under a Clearinghouse, thereby addressing the huge need for sustainable energy investments in EU less developed regions

Reg Energy

admin — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:08:48 +0200

RegEnergy has established a Europe wide network of communities, energy suppliers, research facilities and regional development agencies which share and exchange information and knowledge concerning reforms of the heat energy sector. Its main focus lies on the promotion and strengthening of renewable and energy-efficient energies. The project conveys innovative political and financial solutions to regions and communities in order to meet the challenge of an increasing energy demand for heat and cold. It thereby contributes to the supply of secure, environmentally sound and affordable heat energy in Europe. RegEnergy strengthens the economic and social cohesion in Europe as safeguarding the energy supply is an important precondition for economic development and the promotion of competitiveness on a regional level. It was co-funded by the European Union as an Interreg IIIC project with a duration of 30 months. (April 2005 - December 2007). RegEnergy partners have jointly developed a web based guide for municipal and regional decision makers, which enables regional and municipal policy-makers a) to search for relevant good practice examples covering innovative policy measures and financing solutions for sustainable heating and cooling projects and b) to develop suitable approaches to implement sustainable heating and cooling projects and measures in their regions or communities. The web based guide takes into account different potential interest profiles of regional and municipal policy makers: Do you want to promote sustainable heating/cooling solutions at regional or local level? Do you want to be a leader by example, e.g. by improving municipal utility and district heating services for your community, by setting up energy management systems or using renewable heating/cooling in public buildings? Do you want to foster sustainable heating/cooling solutions by spatial planning or regional/local energy planning? Do you want to promote regional development, business development and job creation through sustainable heating/cooling? Do you want to contribute to mitigate global warming and climate change through sustainable heating/ cooling? Please refer to www.reg-energy.org

4E- Efficient Electrical End-Use Equipment

admin — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:05:49 +0200

IEA Implementing Agreement for a Co-operating Programme on Efficient Electrical End-Use Equipment (4E) A number of IEA member countries join forces in a new international collaborative programme to promote wider use of more energy-efficient electrical equipment. This co-operation is taking place in the framework of the new IEA implementing agreement. The Governing Board of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has in March 2008 given support to the co-operation. The co-operation will focus on efficiency of electrical end-use equipment. Energy efficiency is more than ever a top priority on the international agenda. Using energy-efficient equipment is the most cost-effective short-term path to greater energy security and lower greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change. It reduces pressure on energy resources. The IEA estimates that energy-efficiency improvements could contribute 47% of reductions in energy-related CO 2 emissions potentially achievable by 2030. Addressing today's energy challenges has a global as well as a national perspective. Electrical equipment is produced and traded on a global scale. Very substantial gains are possible if energy-efficiency issues are addressed through international co-operation and interaction, being crucial when responding to governments' need for guidance. The new "4E" IEA Implementing Agreement may constitute an essential collaborative tool.

CEECAP: Energy labelling of household appliances in Central and Eastern Europe

admin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:30:13 +0200

Overview of CEECAP project activities undertaken to promote appliance labelling.

VATT Finnish Economy - Structural Indicators 2008

admin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:03:13 +0200

VATT Finnish Economy - Structural Indicators 2008 especially pp. 121-137, (Chapter 7)

VATT Discussion paper 405 - Impacts of the European Emission Trade System

admin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:01:14 +0200

Better buildings through energy efficiency - A roadmap for Europe

admin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:03:16 +0200

EURIMA is the European Association of Insulation Manufacturers and represents the interests of all major mineral wool producers throughout Europe. EURIMA members manufacture a wide range of mineral wool products for the thermal and acoustic insulation and fire protection of domestic and commercial buildings and industrial facilities. EURIMA was established in 1959 to promote improved standards and regulations for the use of insulation materials. More recently, it has developed to reflect the growing environmental concerns of society.

Sustainable Energy Watch

admin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:45:11 +0200

In the absence of an energy chapter in Agenda 21, HELIO International has undertaken to assess and monitor the contribution of energy systems to an improved quality of life and to check the implementation of environmental Conventions and principles. To ensure accurate, unbiased information on energy development, HELIO created the Sustainable Energy Watch, (SEW). SEW is a worldwide network of energy experts and grassroots leaders. Their combined analysis of in-country energy production and evaluation of daily life provides a comprehensive assessment of energy developments and their impacts on society.

The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership

admin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:47:44 +0200

The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership is an action and advisory group, established in 2003 to take a lead in accelerating the shift to low carbon vehicles and fuels in the UK and to help ensure that UK business can benefit from that shift. The LowCVP is a partnership of over 280 organisations from the automotive and fuel industries, the environmental sector, government, academia, road user groups and other organisations with a stake in the low carbon vehicles and fuels agenda.

Purchasing Guidelines

admin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:36:09 +0200

The Purchasing Guidelines are aimed at anyone influencing the purchasing process in Danish public sector organisations and institutions. This applies equally to managers, who establish the overall guidelines and responsibilities for energy and purchasing, those responsible for IT, and technicians and staff that plan and carry out the purchase of electrically powered devices and equipment. The Purchasing Guidelines facilitate the organisation of a responsible purchasing policy that takes both finances and the environment into account. The Guidelines also comply with the legal requirements covering energy efficient purchasing by government institutions, and with the voluntary agreements concluded with the Danish municipalities.

Improved energy statistics for the built environment

admin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:32:34 +0200

Since 2003, the Agency has been operating the 'Improved Energy Statistics for the Built Environment' project, which is intended to provide the Cabinet Office and the Ministries, the Agency itself and other concerned parties with improved material concerning the final use of energy in the built environment