The role of technology-forcing standards and innovation to dramatically accelerate product energy efficiency

Panel: 1. Foundations of future energy policy

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Kevin Lane, Kevin Lane (Oxford) Ltd, United Kingdom
Fiona Brocklehurst, Ballarat Consulting, United Kingdom
Hans-Paul Siderius, NL Agency, The Netherlands
Mark Ellis, Mark Ellis and Associates, Australia

Abstract

There is mounting evidence that appliance energy efficiency programs have already delivered large carbon reductions, at very low or negative cost to society. As a result, most economies are continuing and expanding such programs.

Future performance requirements for appliances programs typically span a 2-6 year time horizon; to cover technical analysis, negotiation, and time for industry to develop and market products which meet the new requirements. In addition, some economies publish more stringent reach standards to describe likely performance requirements over a longer period, such as Japan’s Top Runner program.

These processes have successfully stimulated gradual energy efficiency improvements over short term horizons, with multiple iterations. However, some stakeholders wish to set longer term and stricter standards, though policy makers are constrained by what they know about current and likely future technologies and often rely on technology-cost information from industry, which may have an interest in not being forthcoming.

Implementing policies which push the energy performance boundaries to a level beyond what is currently considered cost-effective would be an approach to accelerate efficiency: Technology-Forcing Standards (TFS) if used appropriately, and coupled with earlier supporting policy measures on innovation may help identify the future trajectory of performance thresholds going from current products to new and as yet unidentified technology and services. This paper will consider this new approach, based on the lessons learned from a recently completed international project examining the suitability of TFS for product policy.

This paper will: review the approaches currently used in standards setting in the major economies, and compare-contrast the various options of applying TFS and their appropriateness for different situations. This will include a review of the benefits and risks of developing TFS and propose some risk mitigating options.

ERRATA

Minor changes have been made throughout the paper from the printed version.