Energy Efficiency: Doing More With Less in the European Heating and Cooling Markets

Speaker: Professor Sven Werner, Chalmers University (Sweden)

In recent resolutions and reports, the European Parliament stresses the importance of developing an energy system which allows Europe to meet its climate objectives, to reduce its dependence on imports and to ensure long-term competitiveness in line with the Lisbon agenda. A more responsible use of fossil fuels, along with the promotion of renewables, are recognised as key instruments.

Heating and cooling of buildings accounts for roughly 40% of all energy use in the EU. In that context, how can the heating and cooling sector contribute to achieving the objectives?

Prof. Sven Werner has extensive experience in research, consulting and management in the energy industry and is one of the main authors of the Ecoheatcool study. This study, which is co-funded by the European Commission, aims at providing insight in the European heating/cooling markets, identifying possibilities for more district heating/cooling and issuing strategic recommendations to decision-makers. In his presentation, Prof. Werner outlined first results of the work.