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Technology Agreements - End-Use Technologies--Buildings

Buildings and Community Systems (ECBCS)
Approximately one-third of end-use energy consumption in IEA Member countries occurs in residential, commercial and public buildings. Uses include heating, cooling, lighting, appliances, and general services. Buildings are therefore a major demand on energy resources and the emissions associated with supplying and consuming this energy make up an important component of total emissions. Despite a general improvement in the thermal performance of buildings, much energy is still inefficiently used.

District Heating and Cooling
Increasing end-use energy efficiency and expanding use of renewable energy are generally recognised as key requirements for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG), promoting sustainable development and reducing vulnerability to supply disruptions. Often overlooked is the critical role that District Heating and Cooling (DHC) can play in meeting these goals by reducing fossil fuel consumption by facilitating productive use of waste heat from industrial processes, electricity generation, waste incineration or renewable energy sources.

Energy Storage
Energy storage technologies are a strategic and necessary component for the efficient utilization of renewable energy sources and energy conservation. There is a great technical potential to substitute for burning fossil fuels by using stored heat that would otherwise be wasted and using renewable generation resources.

Heat Pumping Technologies
The Heat Pump Programme is the foremost worldwide source of independent information and expertise on heat pump, refrigeration and air-conditioning systems for buildings, commerce and industry. Its international collaborative activities to improve energy efficiency and minimise adverse environmental impact are highly valued by stakeholders.

Efficient Electrical End-Use Equipment
Energy efficiency is more than ever a top priority on the international agenda, particularly as deployment of energy-efficient equipment is the most cost-effective short-term path to greater energy security and lower greenhouse gas emissions while at the same time reducing pressure on energy resources. The IEA estimates that energy-efficiency improvements could contribute 47% of reductions in energy-related CO2 emissions potentially achievable by 2030.

 

End-Use Technologies--Electricity

Demand-Side Management
The IEA DSM Programme promotes energy efficiency and demand-side management for global sustainable development and for business opportunities.

Electricity Networks Analysis, Research & Development (ENARD)
ENARD’s vision is to facilitate the uptake of new operating procedures, architectures, methodologies and technologies in electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) networks, such as to enhance their overall performance in relation to the developing challenges of network renewal, renewables integration and network resilience.

High-Temperature Superconductivity (HTS) on the Electric Power Sector
High temperature superconductors are ceramic materials which carry very large electric currents in very small volumes, something that conventional materials cannot do because of the energy dissipated in them.As a result they have the potential to be cost-effective in commercial applications in the electric power sector. The use of superconductivity can result in substantial environmental improvements by energy saving, replacement of oil in cables and transformers by inert liquid/gas nitrogen, and by enabling more economic underground power transmission, thereby reducing concerns about electro-magnetic radiation, visual pollution and noise.

End-Use Technologies--Industry

Emissions Reduction in Combustion
Understanding of combustion processes is fundamental to achieving further improvements in fuel use efficiency, reduce the production of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, and ease the transition to alternative fuels.

Industrial Energy-Related Technologies and Systems
The IETS program focuses on energy use in a broad range of industry sectors, uniting IEA activities in this area. The program was established in 2005 as a result of a merger, revamping and extension of activities formerly carried out by separate individual programs. The former programs for Pulp & Paper and for Process Integration are now parts of the IETS. The new program is still under development, with several new activities starting up.

End-Use Technologies--Transport

Advanced Fuel Cells
Fuel cells have the potential to convert fuels to electricity at very high efficiencies comparedwith conventional technologies. In addition to reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases resulting from the increased efficiency their use does not result in the production of the other noxious emissions that are usually associated with combustion.

Advanced Materials for Transportation
Fuel for transport accounts for some 32 per cent of final energy use. Almost all of this energy is in the form of oil and transport accounts for 60 per cent of total oil usage. The use of ceramic materials in engines has the potential to allow the use of higher operating temperatures and hence improved efficiency.

Advanced Motor Fuels
Fuel for transport accounts for some 32 per cent of final energy use. Almost all of this energy is in the form of oil and transport accounts for 60 per cent of total oil usage. Of this, road transport accounts for 83 per cent. Alternative motor fuels, therefore, are important to increasing diversity of supply. In addition, many alternative motor fuels either from fossil fuels or from renewable resources offer advantages in terms of emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants compared with conventional fuels.

Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
Fuel for transport accounts for some 32% of final energy use. Almost all of this energy is in the form of oil and transport accounts for 60 per cent of total oil usage. Of this, road transport accounts for 83 per cent. Hybrid and electric vehicles offer an opportunity to reduce the dependence of transport on oil and at the same time, can offer the potential to reduce adverse environmental impacts of energy supply and use. The use of hybrid drive systems incorporating an electric motor together with another power source may be the best way to capitalise on the potential benefits of electric traction systems.