Indicators and Benchmarks
The EU Directive on Energy Efficiency in buildings (2001b) identifies the need
to improve energy efficiency in buildings, especially in existing buildings.
The directive requires that any new building over 1,000 m2, has a technical,
environmental and economic feasibility of alternative systems such as combined
heat and power (CHP), decentralised energy supply systems based on renewable
energy or district heating or cooling system, and that any building being refurbished
over 1,000 m2 improves the buildings energy efficiency.
More specific benchmarks are set in the European Commissions communication
on the energy dimension of climate change (1997) which sets a 15% reduction
in its emissions of greenhouse gases by 2010, compared with the reference year
1990. The Directive on the promotion of electricity from renewable energy sources
in the internal electricity market (2001c) confirms the target outlined above
of “12% of gross inland energy consumption from renewables for the Community
as a whole by 2010, of which electricity would represent 22.1%”. Further
benchmarks are set such as the requirement for the production of a report every
five years by each member state showing renewable energy consumption for the
following ten years, and indicating what measures have been taken to reach that
target.
A range of quantitative and qualitative benchmarks have been used within the
PETUS case studies. In the case study Management of Wind Farms in Wallonia gathered
qualitative benchmarks for example thresholds of noise for wind farm developments
(De WindNormCurve WNC-40 from the Dutch legislation specifies the maximal noise
of a wind-turbine regarding the wind speed at 10m of height) and German references
provided thresholds of stroboscopic effects. With regard to visual impacts the
idea is not to camouflage the wind-farms but to use them to structure the landscape.
Two groups of indicators have been defined European Community, Eurostat, the
Statistical Office of the European Communities: Structural indicators in energy
and Euro-indicators in energy. Structural indicators are provided annually and
cover Employment, Innovation and Research, Economic Reform, Social cohesion
and Environment. Within energy there are seven indicators which cover the share
of renewable energy (%) and gross inland consumption of energy. Euro-indicators
are monthly data that cover the supply of petroleum products, supply of electricity,
supply of natural gas and energy prices.
Within the PETUS case studies, indicators have been used to identify progress
or to make comparisons. In Breda, Holland (PETUS case study: Environmental monitoring
in Breda) ninety indicators are used to cover a range of environmental issues
including energy indicators.
For more information: Environmental monitoring in Breda |