New study highlights large 2050 energy savings potentials

(eceee news, 1 Feb 2019) More than half of EU’s final energy demand could be saved by 2050, if market barriers are removed. This is shown in a new Fraunhofer ISI study which assesses the impacts of new societal trends.

The aim of the Study, conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute for System and Innovation Research ISI, commissioned by the Coalition for Energy Savings (where eceee is a member organization), was to look at 2050 from an energy efficiency and savings perspective following the EU's principle of putting energy efficiency first.

The study finds that tapping all available cost-effective savings potentials across sectors could halve the EU’s energy demand by 2050. 

The study offers an innovative approach by providing new insights in how societal trends could enhance those potentials. Examples of such trends are digitalisation, new economic and social models, the transition to a circular and decarbonised economy and a new quality of life.

The starting point of the Study is the bottom-up modelling of the techno-economic energy savings potentials by 2050 in the so-called Removing Market Barriers Scenario. The researchers assessed the additional impact of new societal trends that are already impacting all parts of the economy. This is the first time their impact on the development and deployment of energy efficiency technologies, services and solutions is systematically investigated, according to the Coalition for Energy Savings.

Stefan Scheuer, Secretary General of The Coalition for Energy Savings, says:

“This Study shows for the first time the importance of considering energy efficiency in managing societal trends in order to make the energy transition attractive for citizens and businesses.”

Bernard Respaut, Chief Executive at European Copper Institute says:

“This Study once again underlines that cost-effective energy efficiency measures are key to achieving the clean energy transition.”

View the press release from the Coalition for Energy Savings here: http://www.energycoalition.eu/30-january-2019-pioneering-research-2050-energy-savings-potentials

Download the study here

Summary of the study