The OPEN Energy Technology Bulletin circulates news of activities, findings, events and publications originating within the IEA Energy Technology Network. Its particular focus is on news from entities coming under the guidance of the IEA Committee on Energy Research and Technology (CERT). Through the OPEN Energy Technology Bulletin, the IEA seeks to generate broader cross-fertilisation of energy technology information and ideas among a readership of energy policy-makers and all those concerned with energy technology issues around the globe. The goal is to create wider awareness of advances in energy technology development and deployment associated with the work of the IEA and its Technology Network.

March 2013

MAIN STORIES

• First IEA regional technology study plots carbon-neutral Nordic energy system. The Nordic region can become carbon-neutral by 2050 through big changes in its energy sector, including a ten-fold increase in wind generation, an end to all use of coal and significant electrification of transport, the IEA reports in the first regional edition of Energy Technology Perspectives, its flagship technology publication. Nordic Energy Technology Perspectives outlines the opportunities and challenges for the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway – a major fossil fuel exporter – and Sweden to use their rich renewable energy resources to transform their landscape and economy, with 10 000 onshore and 3 000 offshore wind turbines and the region exporting 75% of its new power generation. More…
   
• Promoting electric vehicle investment. Now that the electric vehicle (EV) market is moving beyond demonstration projects and into the mainstream, policy makers face the challenge of creating supportive environments to promote EV investment and enterprise. E-Mobility Business Models, subject of the recently-created Task 22 from the Hybrid and Electric Vehicles IA (HEV IA), aims to advance understanding of the opportunities to generate revenue and limit costs in the provision of electric vehicles, recharging infrastructure, and the associated links to energy systems.  Task 22 is inviting researchers and practitioners from business, policy, economics, engineering, technology management, and innovation sectors, to contribute expert analysis and commentary, and participation is not limited to HEV IA membership. For more information visit the Task 22 home page or contact the Operating Agent to express your interest. 
  The Electric Vehicles Initiative (EVI) – a Clean Energy Ministerial initiative including 15 governments and the IEA – and the IEA will launch the Global EV Outlook on 16 April in New Delhi at the fourth Clean Energy Ministerial. The Global EV Outlook represents the collective effort of two years of primary data gathering and analysis and will assist policymakers in understanding the EV landscape to 2020.
  Meanwhile, the need for greater international co-operation was one of the main discussion topics at the most recent HEV IA Executive Committee meeting held in Stuttgart in October 2012, and a number of new collaborative initiatives including co-ordinating data collection with other EV-related organisations were highlighted. More…
   
• Renewing collaborative efforts to deploy CHP and efficient DHC.  Governments, international organisations, industry and academic representatives gathered at IEA headquarters on 12-13 January for a joint workshop to renew collaborative efforts to deploy Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and efficient District Heating and Cooling (DHC), critical technologies for energy efficiency and for balancing variable renewable energy. The meeting launched Phase III of the IEA CHP/DHC Collaborative effort, an IEA initiative first created in 2007 to accelerate deployment of CHP and efficient DHC and provide a forum for analysis, best-practice sharing and related data collection. The draft work plan for 2013-2014 includes recruiting new partners, the development of a case studies compendium including business models and financing mechanisms, and plans for continuing the CHP/DHC country scorecard series, country-specific reports that give an overview of CHP/DHC at the national level and include policy and implementation recommendations, as well as the provision of related data.  Workshop presentations;  more... 
   

• IEA workshops pave the way for energy storage roadmap.  The IEA hosted a modelling workshop on 23rd January 2013 to support the analysis for Energy Technology Perspectives 2014 and the Energy Storage Technology Roadmap.  The workshop discussed different modelling approaches and needs to include operational aspects into long-term planning models of future power systems in order to:
  
  - better capture the interdependencies of operational issues and long-term investment decisions within a single model;
  - illustrate how the electricity system could operate in the 2°C Scenario (2DS) in the future;
  - highlight the role of some flexibility options (DSM, storage, interconnection and thermal power plants); and
  - enable quantitative assessments, including cost and technology potential, of flexibility options.
  
  Modellers met with policymakers, technology vendors, system operators and R&D strategy managers to assess the latest modelling capabilities with modelling requirements in the field.  Meanwhile a second workshop on 13-14 February brought together more than 50 representatives from governments, universities, private industry, and other international organisations to help set the scope of the upcoming roadmap. The IEA Energy Technology Network was well represented at both workshops by representatives from a number of Implementing Agreements including Energy Conservation through Energy Storage (ECES IA), Energy Technologies Systems Analysis Programme (ETSAP IA), Wind Energy Systems (Wind IA), Demand-Side Management (DSM IA), the Hydrogen IA, as well as members of the International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN IA) and the IEA Heat Pump Programme (HPT IA).
    

NEW TECHNOLOGY NETWORK PROJECTS 

• Full-scale ground testing of wind turbines and their components is the focus of a new Task 35 in the Wind Energy Systems Implementing Agreement (Wind IA). The task will operate two subtasks, one on blade testing and one on drive train testing, to guide the use of test facilities for full size components as a reliable alternative or complement to filed tests in design validation as well as demonstration of functionality and safety response.  Countries interested in participation should contact the Operating Agent.
   
• Low temperature district heating for future energy systems, the first task-shared Annex of District Heating and Cooling (DHC IA), is currently under preparation and will provide a platform for international cooperation between national DHC research projects.  For further information contact the Operating Agent.
   
• Advanced Motor Fuels (AMF IA) has announced two new projects: Annex 46 will examine Alcohol application in CI engines, and Annex 45 Synthesis, characterisation and use of hydro treated oils and fats for engine operation.  
   
• Two new projects announced by the Heat Pump Technologies programme (HPT IA): Heat pumps in smart grids (Annex 42) and Fuel-driven heat pumps (Annex 43).  Both Annexes are still open for new participants.  Visit the HPT IA Annex page for further details. 
   

NEW PARTICIPANTS IN IEA R&D PROGRAMMES

• Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research has become a Contracting Party in Ocean Energy Systems (OES IA)
• South African National Energy Development Institute and the European Commission have become Contracting Parties in Smart Grids (ISGAN IA)
• Budapest University of Technology and Economics has become a Contracting Party in Fluidized Bed Conversion (FBC IA)
• ITER China Domestic Agency has become a Contracting Party in Co-operation on Tokamak Programmes (CTP IA)
• Danish Technological Institute has become a Contracting Party in Heat Pumping Technologies (HPT IA)
• Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, Israel, has become a Contracting Party in Advanced Fuel Cells (AFC IA), Advanced Motor Fuels (AMF IA) and the Hydrogen IA
• International Copper Association – Copper Alliance has become a Sponsor in Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS IA)
• European Copper Institute has become a Sponsor in Demand-Side Management (DSM IA)
• Electric Power Planning and Engineering Institute has become a Sponsor in the Clean Coal Centre (CCC IA)

TECHNOLOGY NETWORK PUBLICATIONS

• Four mapping and benchmarking webinars announced for March 2013.   The Efficient Electrical End-Use Equipment (4E IA) Mapping and Benchmarking Annex runs online seminars to present the results and key conclusions for each product analysed to a wider audience.  Taking part in the seminars is a great way to learn more about the analysis behind each of the reports.  For the full programme of past and future webinars consult the Annex Webinar pages.

• Renewable energy action on deployment: Launch of the READy book and the Action star. Launched in January 2013, the READy book from the Renewable Energy Technology Deployment IA (RETD IA) presents a kaleidoscope of policy options that have proven to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies, based on experiences around the world at the local and national levels. The REAdy book also introduces the Action star, a graphic representation of six policy categories that are essential for the acceleration of renewable energy deployment. Applying the ACTION star guides policy makers in choosing the right ingredients for successful policies. 
  
  
• Environmental Effects of Marine Energy Development around the World.  This final Annex 4 report‌ from Ocean Energy Systems (OES IA) contains three case studies of specific interactions of marine energy devices with the marine environment that survey, compile, and analyse the best available information in one coherent location. These case studies address 1) the physical interactions between animals and tidal turbines; 2) the acoustic impact of marine energy devices on marine animals; and 3) the effects of energy removal on physical systems. Each case study contains a description of environmental monitoring efforts and research studies, lessons learned, and analysis of remaining information gaps.  More…
  
  
• Social Acceptance of Wind Energy Projects is the latest in the Recommended Practices series from the Wind Energy Systems programme (Wind IA).  These good practice recommendations are aimed at planners, policymakers, and practitioners of wind power development, and present strategies from around the world that have been successfully used to improve wind power projects.  Also now available in the same Recommended Practices series is Remote Sensing for Wind Resource Assessment. These and other recent reports are available on the Wind IA website.
  
  
• Small PV systems for remote homes: The latest report from the Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS IA) Task 9 – Pico Solar PV Systems for Remote Homes‌ - looks at a new generation of small PV systems for populations in remote areas.  ‌

NEWSLETTERS

Latest newsletters from IEA programmes

• Stellarator News, February 2013 from the Stellarator-Heliotron Implementing Agreement
• IEA Clean Coal Centre Newsletter, February 2013
• Greenhouse News, January 2013, from the Greenhouse Gas programme (GHG IA)
• Solar Update, January 2013, from the Solar Heating and Cooling programme (SHC IA)
• IA-HEV Newsletter - The Road Ahead, January 2013, from the Hybrid and Electric Vehicles IA (HEV IA)
• Bright Spark, January 2013, from Efficient Electrical End-Use Equipment (4E IA)
• DSM Spotlight, December 2012, from the Demand-Side Management programme (DSM IA)
• AMFI Newsletter, March 2013, from the Advanced Motor Fuels IA (AMF IA)

ANNUAL REPORTS

Latest annual reports from IEA programmes

• Ocean Energy Systems 2012 Annual Report features papers by four experts on the theme of Development of the International Ocean Energy Industry – Performance Improvements and Cost Reductions.
• Demand-Side Management 2012 Annual Report features a theme chapter entitled Smartness requires DSM by Hans Nilsson, Advisor to the DSM IA.
• Bioenergy Annual Report 2012 features a 15-page article on Biomass Feedstocks for Energy Markets.  

IEA PUBLICATIONS

• Technology Roadmap: Low-Carbon Technology for the Indian Cement Industry.  This latest publication in the IEA Technology Roadmaps series outlines a possible transition path for the Indian cement industry to reduce its direct CO₂ emissions intensity to 0.35 tCO₂/t cement and support the global goal of halving CO₂ emissions by 2050.  Also in the same series and scheduled for completion in 2013 and 2014 are roadmaps on chemical catalysis, energy efficient building envelopes and energy storage. Currently under consideration for future development are hydrogen and ocean energy.  A number of existing roadmaps are also scheduled for update including carbon capture and storage, wind, solar PV, and nuclear.  Additional national roadmaps on solar energy technologies for China and South Africa are also being developed. The vision for each of the IEA roadmaps is based on the Energy Technology Perspectives 2°C Scenario (2DS).  This scenario describes how technologies across all energy sectors may be transformed by 2050 to give an 80% chance of limiting average global temperature increase to 2°C.  The 2DS sets the target of cutting energy-related CO₂ emissions by more than half by 2050 (compared with 2009) and ensuring that they continue to fall thereafter. 

• World Energy Outlook 2013. The 2013 edition of the IEA’s flagship publication World Energy Outlook will be released on 12 November, and it will present a full update of energy projections through to 2035, as well as insights into what they mean for energy security, climate change, economic development and universal access to modern energy services. WEO-2013 will also cover these topical energy sector issues: redrawing the energy-climate map; energy in Brazil; oil supply, demand and trade; the global spread of unconventional gas supply; the extent of fossil fuel subsidies in the Middle East; energy trends in Southeast Asia.

• Energy Policies of IEA Countries Sweden 2013 Review  analyses the energy-policy challenges currently facing Sweden, and provides studies and recommendations for each sector.  Press release; Stockholm launch slides.

 FORTHCOMING EVENTS

• International Process Integration Jubilee Conference, Gothenburg, Sweden, 18-20 March 2013.  A unique event for all those interested in industrial energy systems and their possible future role in achieving a more sustainable society, i.e. the industrial process and energy R&D community, decision makers in industry and society as well as policy makers.  Visit the IETS IA conference page. 
   
• IEA Clean Coal Centre Workshop on Upgrading and Efficiency Improvements in Coal-fired Power Plants, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, United Kingdom, 19-20 March 2012.  This two day meeting will bring together international experts in the field of power plant refurbishment and improvement and will include a tour of E.ON's Combustion Test Facility at Ratcliffe. Visit the conference website.
    
• 6th IEA CCC Clean Coal Technologies Conference (CCT2013), Thessaloniki, Greece, 12-16 May 2013.  The CCT2013 conference in Thessaloniki will include:  clean coal technologies, developments in carbon capture, zero emissions technologies, and utilisation of low grade coals.  In addition, CCT2013 will be an important international networking opportunity. For more information visit the website.
   
• EURELECTRIC Annual Conference, Bologna, Italy, 3-4 June 2013. Under the banner “Innovative Investments: Re-Energising Europe", this year's Eurelectric Annual Convention and Congress will highlight the crucial roles of innovative financing, markets and technologies in the drive towards a sustainable energy future, but also economic growth. It will review the past decade's energy policies within an international context and identify promising policies to promote technology research and innovation to catalyse the low-carbon transition. Visit the EURELECTRIC conference site. 
  
  
• International Oil Shale Symposium 2013, Tallinn, Estonia, 10-13 June 2013. Energy independence out of oil shale, industry-related job creation and economic sustainability of shale oil production are among the key topics of this 4-day event.  With long-standing expertise of industrial oil shale industries, Estonia is one of the few countries in the world already commercially utilising oil shale. The Symposium will include 2 days of panel sessions at the Tallinn University of Technology and 2 days of field trips to Enefit’s industrial facilities in Narva, Estonia, including a visit to the new Enefit280 Oil Plant.  Visit the symposium website. 

• 3rd IEA Clean Coal Centre Workshop on Cofiring Biomass with Coal, Groningen, Netherlands, 20-21 June 2013.  The workshop website is open for registration and the submission of abstracts. Abstracts must be submitted by 15 March and are invited on any aspect of biomass co-firing.

• EVS-27, Barcelona, Spain, 17-20 November 2013. This year’s conference will consist of two main activities: the Congress (project dissemination) and the Ride&Drive, which will offer participants the opportunity to try all kinds of battery, hybrid and fuel cell electric vehicles in the regular Barcelona traffic.  Final date for abstracts is 21 March.  Visit the conference website. 

• 11th IEA Heat Pump Conference, Montreal, Canada, 13-15 May 2014.  The call for papers for this event is now open and abstracts may be sumbitted through the conference website until 15 April 2013.

IEA international collaborative energy technology R&D programmes (also known as Implementing Agreements) function within a framework created by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Views, findings and publications of these programmes do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the IEA Secretariat or of all its individual member countries.

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