With the energy service directive – on track towards mainstreaming energy services in the EU?

Michael Geißler, Alexandra Waldmann, and Ralf Goldmann, Berliner Energieagentur GmbH

Keywords

energy services, Energy Services Directive, EPC, market development, balance sheet issues, customer finance, facility management, European Union

Abstract

The Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) and the Directive on End-use energy efficiency and energy services (ESD) are in force and now are on the way of being implemented.

While this new legislation is in place, providing a clear signal from the EU Commission on the value of energy services to increase energy efficiency, security of supply and at the same time supporting climate protection goals, its value to help mainstream the application of energy services in the European Union remains to be seen. Besides an improved political framework, crucial elements for further market uptake are the creation of demand for energy services on the side of the building owners as well as increased awareness of and responsiveness to the opportunities of energy service projects on the side of the financial institutions.

The paper will discuss, based on past and ongoing work (1) the Market demand for energy services through the expansion of services currently offered, towards more comprehensive refurbishment measures, (2) Facility Management as a possible link to increase the sectoral application of energy services, its role for implementing the EPBD (3) ESCO versus customer financing with a focus on balance sheet issues, and their possible advantages in creating more demand for energy services.