{"id":17961,"date":"2022-09-18T21:51:33","date_gmt":"2022-09-18T21:51:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legalblog.ie\/?p=17961"},"modified":"2024-02-08T23:00:55","modified_gmt":"2024-02-08T23:00:55","slug":"energy-efficiency-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/energy-efficiency-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Energy Efficiency"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/energy-efficiency-2\/#Energy_Efficiency_and_Energy_Saving\" title=\"Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving\">Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/energy-efficiency-2\/#Energy-Efficient_Household_Goods\" title=\"Energy-Efficient Household Goods\">Energy-Efficient Household Goods<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/energy-efficiency-2\/#Industrial_and_Commercial_Energy_Saving\" title=\"Industrial and Commercial Energy Saving\">Industrial and Commercial Energy Saving<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/energy-efficiency-2\/#Eco_Design\" title=\"Eco Design\">Eco Design<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/energy-efficiency-2\/#Efficnecy_Obligations\" title=\"Efficnecy Obligations\">Efficnecy Obligations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/energy-efficiency-2\/#National_Plans\" title=\"National Plans\">National Plans<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/energy-efficiency-2\/#Targets\" title=\"Targets\">Targets<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/energy-efficiency-2\/#Metering\" title=\"Metering\">Metering<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/energy-efficiency-2\/#Efficiency_Obligation_Scheme\" title=\"Efficiency Obligation Scheme\">Efficiency Obligation Scheme<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Energy_Efficiency_and_Energy_Saving\"><\/span>Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Fossil fuels were \u00a096 per cent of all energy used in Ireland 2007.\u00a0EC Directive 2006\/32 on energy efficiency in end-use and energy services was put into Irish law by the European Communities (Energy End-use Efficiency and Energy Services) Regulations 2009. Its purpose is to increase energy savings when energy is supplied to end-users\u2014whether they are private consumers, companies or part of the public sector.<\/p>\n<p>It promotes cost-effective end-use energy efficiency through s promotional, awareness and support measures, the removal of institutional, financial and legal barriers and some public sector leadership in energy conservation. It includes actions required, including energy auditing, smart metering, billing and financial instruments for energy saving.<\/p>\n<p>It seeks to promote the development of a sustainable market for energy efficiency and related services. The target for \u00a02010 is set at 5,000GWh and the target for 2016 is 13117GWh. The target for energy efficiency in the public sector is 33 per cent. This process is overseen by SEAI.<\/p>\n<p>Energy consumption is examined, and energy conservation is rewarded. There were eight EMAS-registered organisations in 2007. The Environmental Protection Agency is prohibited by law from granting an IPPC licence unless satisfied that energy will be used efficiently in carrying out the relevant activity.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Energy-Efficient_Household_Goods\"><\/span>Energy-Efficient Household Goods<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The European Communities (Energy Efficiency Requirements for Ballasts for Fluorescent Lighting) Regulations 2001 implement Directive 2000\/55 on efficiency requirements for ballasts for fluorescent lighting.<\/p>\n<p>The European Communities (Energy Efficiency Requirements for Household Electric Refrigerators, Freezers and Combinations thereof) Regulations 1997 implement Directive 96\/57 on energy efficiency requirements for household electric refrigerators, freezers and combinations thereof.<\/p>\n<p>The European Communities (Efficiency Requirements for New Hot-water Boilers fired with Liquid or Gaseous Fuels) Regulations 1994 implement Directive 92\/42.\u00a0The European Communities (Efficiency Requirements for New Hot-Water Boilers fired with Liquid or Gaseous Fuels) (Amendment) Regulations 1995 implemented parts of Directive 93\/68.<\/p>\n<p>Directives on energy labelling of household electric ovens, household air-conditions, household lamps and dishwashers, washing machines, driers, refrigerators and Regulation 2422\/2001 on office equipment have all been transposed by regulations made under the European Communities Acts.<\/p>\n<p>Regulation 2422\/2001 provides for the Energy Star programme, which a joint programme with the United States to operate a voluntary co-ordinated energy labelling scheme. Participating manufacturers, sellers \u00a0or resale agents of relevant products must register to use the Energy Star logo on their products. They are entitled to use the logo provided that their products meet specified energy efficiency requirements.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Industrial_and_Commercial_Energy_Saving\"><\/span>Industrial and Commercial Energy Saving<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>SEAI provides an energy advisory service to the business. In 2011. The Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) facilitated by the SEI, was established to develop and maintain economical energy management.<\/p>\n<p>The Carbon Budgets 2009 and 2010 report that LIEN industries have saved energy costs of \u20ac60 million in both 2008 and 2009. Some companies have improved their energy efficiency by over 30 per cent over the last decade.<\/p>\n<p>The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) introduced an incentive scheme in 2003\/04 to incentivise business customers to reduce their electricity consumption during the power system&#8217;s peak hours (5pm-7pm) in winter months (November-February).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eco_Design\"><\/span>Eco Design<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The European Communities (Ecodesign Requirements for certain Energy-Related Products) Regulations 2011 implement Directive 2009\/125 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. This framework Directive specifies the framework within which detailed measures setting EU design requirements for specific energy-related products are proposed by the Commission.<\/p>\n<p>It covers energy-using products (such as televisions, dishwashers and certain boilers), and some other products that can save energy, such as insulation materials and showerheads. Manufacturers or importers of products may not market or put a product into service unless it conforms with the implementing measures specified under the Regulations.<\/p>\n<p>Regulation 761\/2001 allows voluntary participation by organisations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) updated by Regulation 761\/2001 enables companies which meet certain standards for environmental and energy performance to use the EMAS logo.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Efficnecy_Obligations\"><\/span>Efficnecy Obligations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 confirms powers for the CER (CRU) to require energy businesses to ensure tariffs are energy efficient. The legislation requires energy suppliers to provide clear and comprehensible information in consumer bills.<\/p>\n<p>The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 provides for an energy efficiency obligation scheme for suppliers and distributors of energy. An energy efficiency fund may be established by the Department or another on its behalf. It may be financed by payments from suppliers subject to an energy-saving obligation. The purpose of the fund is to assist delivery of energy efficiency programs and measures.<\/p>\n<p>The Energy Efficiency Directive 2012\/27\/EU on energy efficiency requires the establishment of energy efficiency targets for 2020. There are legally binding obligations for energy suppliers and users. States may make the targets more ambitious.\u00a0The target may be based on primary or final energy consumption, energy savings or energy intensity. States must give notice of the manner in which they propose to meet targets to the Commission by May 2014.<\/p>\n<p>States may require the distribution systems operators or retail energy sales companies or a combination to achieve energy savings of 1.5% of the energy sales to final consumers in each year to the end of 2020. Alternative policy measures may be taken to achieve equivalent energy savings and reductions for final consumers.<\/p>\n<p>At least 3% of the floor area of state-owned buildings must be renovated annually and the purchase of building services and products with high-energy performance must be prioritised.<\/p>\n<p>States must undertake an assessment of the potential for high-efficiency cogeneration and efficient district heating and cooling by the end of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>There are to be mandatory regular energy audits for larger companies, undertaken at least every five years. Certified energy and environmental systems may be exempted.<\/p>\n<p>The Directive on Energy Efficiency (Directive 2018\/2002\/EU) brings the policy framework to 2030 and beyond. There is a target reduction of at least 32.5% relative to 2007. There is the possibility of an increase in the target in 2023 in the event of cost reductions due to economic or technological development.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"National_Plans\"><\/span>National Plans<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Ireland prepared its third National Energy Efficiency Action Plan in 2014 under the directive. It agreed to save 20% of average final energy consumption relative to 2001 to 2005. This covers the entire economy other than aviation and marine bunker fuel. It targeted one-third of savings in the public sector.<\/p>\n<p>In 2017 Ireland submitted its National Energy Efficiency Plan. The Plan sets out energy savings including in the supply and distribution of electricity and use. It is part of the overall energy efficiency requirements placed on EU member states. Ireland committed to a 20% reduction by 2020.<\/p>\n<p>The distribution system operator and the retail energy sale companies must achieve a 1.5% annual saving on energy sales to final consumers. The target is being met through energy efficiency obligation scheme reductions and alternative measures.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Targets\"><\/span>Targets<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Commission for Energy Regulation sets targets for ESB Customer Supply to achieve energy efficiency gains in the end-use of electricity. These targets are agreed upon each year, and performance against the target is reported to CER at the end of each year.<\/p>\n<p>Residential targets are pursued through specific energy efficiency promotions, including promotional support for energy-efficient products, targeted direct marketing and dedicated inserts with ESB Customer supply bills.<\/p>\n<p>Irish projects have been financially supported by the EU Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) Programme, which promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy in the EU.<\/p>\n<p>The energy efficiency obligation scheme under the European Union (Energy Efficiency) Regulations 2014 requires all energy suppliers with annual sales above 600GWh to achieve collective energy savings of 550GWh per annum. Over the first phase of the scheme (2014-2017) energy suppliers are projected to have delivered energy savings of 1,850GWh.<\/p>\n<p>Following a review and public consultation on the obligation scheme conducted in 2016, the annual target obligated parties are collectively required to deliver was increased to 625GWh in 2017 and will further increase to 700GWh for 2018, 2019 &amp; 2020. In addition, the threshold for participation in the scheme was decreased from 600GWh annual final energy sales to 240GWh annual final energy sales. All other terms and conditions for the scheme remain the same. Obligated energy suppliers are required to deliver their energy efficiency savings in the non-residential (75%), residential (20%) and energy poverty (5%) sectors.<\/p>\n<p>The plan describes alternative measures to be used including<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>an SME programme to increase energy efficiency awareness by way of advice training and mentoring<\/li>\n<li>building regulation incrementally improving efficiency stand moving towards\u00a0 low\u00a0 carbon housing<\/li>\n<li>efficient boiler replacement provided under building regulations setting minimal seasonal efficiency of 86% and 90% gross calorific value from 2011 for new boilers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The large industry energy network is a voluntary network facilitated by SEAI of companies<br \/>\nadhering to strong energy management and environmental protection practices.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Metering\"><\/span>Metering<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The smart metering programme facilitates energy efficiency by providing detailed, accurate, and timely information for energy users, assisting in reducing unnecessary energy usage.Accelerated capital allowances promote energy-efficient products and technologies by way of enhanced capital allowances Vehicles have been taxed in accordance with CO2 emissions since 2008<\/p>\n<p>The European Union (Energy Efficiency) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 provide for technical specifications for<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>public sector energy audits purchases by public bodies,<\/li>\n<li>heat and hot water meters measures for consumption of heating, cooling and hot water<\/li>\n<li>determination of economic feasibility of metres or individual heat cost allocators by the Minister.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Smart grids and smart meters must be provided and rolled out, and bills must contain information on energy to enable and encourage users to use energy more efficiently.<\/p>\n<p>The CER (CRU) must ensure that final consumers of electricity and gas are provided with a competitively priced smart metering system reflecting actual energy consumption. It must provide information on the time of use.<\/p>\n<p>The ESB networks, the distribution system operator is obliged to provide customers with competitively priced metres where new connection is made or where there is a major renovation in the building.<\/p>\n<p>The CER (CRU) may require energy suppliers to apply tariffs relative to the time of use to a class or classes of customers. CER (CRU) is to ensure that the requirements for smart meters, including in relation to privacy security and advice and information set out in the legislation, are met.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Efficiency_Obligation_Scheme\"><\/span>Efficiency Obligation Scheme<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The European Union (Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme) Regulations 2014 allows the Minister to give notices to energy suppliers or classes of them requiring measures, standards, conditions, targets, and timescales, which they must achieve in respect of the period to which the notice applies.<\/p>\n<p>They may meet their required target by energy reduction or contribution to the energy efficiency national fund at a rate to be determined. The fund can be used to support the required objectives, including<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>supporting energy efficiency improvement programs<\/li>\n<li>energy efficiency improvement measures<\/li>\n<li>promoting the development of a market for energy efficiency<\/li>\n<li>improvement measures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The directive and regulations require public bodies to play a demonstrative role in the area of energy audits, energy-efficient procurement, and purchase and letting of energy-efficient buildings.<\/p>\n<p>There are minimum criteria for energy audits. A national registration scheme for registration of energy audits is to be established and maintained by SEAI. SEA I is responsible for assessing qualification accreditation and certification schemes for energy audit<\/p>\n<p>The European Union (Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 amends the methods of measuring and verifying energy-efficiency initiatives.<\/p>\n<p>There are requirements for the promotion of energy efficiency in combined heat and power. SEAI is to undertake an assessment and analysis of the potential for efficient combined heat and power district heating and cooling.<\/p>\n<p>CER (CRU) may require the transmission and distribution systems operators to undertake an assessment of energy efficiency potential for the electricity and gas distribution networks in the State and submit its assessment to it.<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-17961\" data-postid=\"17961\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-17961 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving Fossil fuels were \u00a096 per cent of all energy used in Ireland 2007.\u00a0EC Directive 2006\/32 on energy efficiency in end-use and energy services was put into Irish law by the European Communities (Energy End-use Efficiency and Energy Services) Regulations 2009. Its purpose is to increase energy savings when energy is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[219,246],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17961"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17961"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17961\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31564,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17961\/revisions\/31564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17961"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17961"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}