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Interactive EU Tests & Preparatory Material www.eutests.eu
The following essay has been written by an EU Tests user. Our experts have given some constructive feedback which may be useful for anyone preparing for the written exam of the EU competition. ******* ENERGY DEPENDENCE AND THE EU’s APPROACH
In 2005, European Commission presented the Green Paper “Energy Efficiency”. The central element was the predicted increase of the EU dependence on imported resources to 70% by 2030 from the current 50% level. Considering the general background of economic blooming need to meet the Lisbon target, energy security becomes a prerequisite. The depletion of the traditional energy resources and insufficient development of renewable energy, are the main reasons for the European Commission to propose a package of measures to establish a new Energy Policy for Europe at the beginning of 2007.
Comment [A1]: Overall a well written essay, nevertheless more attention should be given to the spelling, and some paragraphs could be shortened to focus more on the essential points
Comment [A2]: Too specific data for an intro, otherwise it would be fine in the next paragraph. Also, intro is a bit too long Comment [A3]: Remove
Moreover, the European Union ratified the Kyoto Protocol when the signatories undertaken to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to prevent the overheating of the planet by the end of this century. Europe committed to decrease with 8% the current quota during 2008-2012.
Comment [A4]: Pursuant to which / In which
Some time ago I wondered about EU’s possibility to respect the Kyoto requirements when Europe needs growth and more energy. However, I obtained the clarification just reading about the initiatives of the European Commission with regard to energy.
Comment [A6]: First person may be possible yet here consider using a general statement
1. Current proposal for a “New Energy Policy for Europe”. When presenting the proposal for a integrated energy and climate change package, the Commissioner Andris Piebalgs stressed that a new industrial revolution was needed in respect of the development of a low carbon economy. The package proposed by the Commission came up with solutions to answer the challenges, based on three central pillars.
Comment [A8]: Make sure to read twice the essay to avoid spelling or grammatical errors
1.1 A true internal market is a key measure to provide the competitiveness, sustainability and energy security for Europe. Assuring a clearer separation of energy production from energy distribution according to the competition rules, while extending with a minimum of 10% the interconnection level for the gas and electricity network are needed steps at this stage. A Council decision was adopted in 2006 to stimulate the development of important networks, as the Nabucco pipeline which will bring gas from Caspian Region to central Europe. 1.2 Accelerating the shift to the low carbon energy is the Europe’s ambition to maintain the leader position in the world, proposing a binding target of 20% renewable resources of its overall energy mix by 2020. Even though the EU’s leaders mentioned an intermediary target of 10% by 2010, this seemed a too high standard. One of the bottlenecks for the renewable energy resources is the competitiveness that they have to face on a market dominated by the traditional resources and a
Comment [A5]: Undertook
Comment [A7]: Also
Comment [A9]: Remove Comment [A10]: Below you list 4 or consider renaming the 4th as an independent title
Comment [A11]: Remove
Interactive EU Tests & Preparatory Material www.eutests.eu
massive growth will be required in three renewable energy sectors: electricity, biofuels and heating and cooling. Additionally, a minimum 10 % binding target should be achieved by all Member States for the share of biofuels in the overall petrol and diesel consumption for EU transport by 2020. A legislative framework to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars and vans will be proposed by the Commission by the end of this year. As research is essential to lower the cost of clean energy, Europe has decided to increase at least half of its financial appropriations for innovation on energy research during the next seven years. A potential investing resource is the money saved due to a more judicious behavior to decrese the wasting identified in the transport, building, or even in the energy production industry.
Comment [A12]: Spelling
1.3 Energy efficiency, if successful, could decrease with 20% the current consumption energy by 2020, saving around 100 billion Euros and an impressive volume of CO2 each year. This may result from the application of existing legislation and an effective implementation of the multi-annual energy programs. For instance, there were identified in the transport field measures like tax schemes favoring clean vehicles, rewarding the manufacturers supporting energy efficiency, and imposing fees to consumers for issues like tyre pressure, use of the public transport and car pools. In the building sector, replacing light bulbs, boilers and refrigerators with better performing appliances, or saving the wasted energy canceling the stand-by function of electrical devices are encouraged for both the industry and consumers. For the former ones, the efficient technology will help to produce more with less and the public authorities have to enhance the process in case the market mechanisms are not sufficient. Another saving possibility resides in new laws and new behavior of all the sectors concerned. (A minimum level of energy performance standard combined with labeling schemes would be needed for equipments, building and energy processing and distribution networks) 1.4 An Action Plan was approved in 2006 for the coming period, to address both the loses and the vulnerable price trends, the Council calling the member states for predictable price signals and actions and for energy efficiency awareness raising campaign through education.
Comment [A13]: A good listing of the three major action areas with good examples
2 Future agenda at EU level 2.1 2007-2009 Action Plan. More action is needed at EU level to deal with supply disruptions of the imported gas and oil and to boost the advanced technologies to produce sustainable energy and to collect carbon emissions from the power station using fossil raw materials. To redirect towards sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply, the spring European Council highlighted new priorities for 2007-2009: realization of an inter-connected opened market for gas and electricity, development of domestic energy sources, including renewable energy, extension of its internal market principle to
Comment [A14]: Consider adding a short introduction about the coming points
Comment [A15]: Open
Interactive EU Tests & Preparatory Material www.eutests.eu
neighboring countries. Development of cooperation to meet emergences and to create an early warning tool as well as a network of security correspondents are major target points. Additionally, an European Strategic Energy Technology Action Plan will be elaborated to extend to concept and use of renewable resources. 2.3 Kyoto and external relations opportunities. The Kyoto commitments are a strong motivation for EU to be a leader in the world to support the achievement of the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and the Commission’s intention to put forward in 2007 a proposal for a new international agreement on energy efficiency is highly appreciated. An integrated climate and energy policy, in a mutually supportive way could provide new sources of energy in a sustainable environment. Money saved due to energy efficiency and carbon pricing is an important resource that can be invested in research to burst the production and use of sustainable alternatives. Moreover, as Russia is the principal supplier of gas and oil, EU has initiated negotiations to conclude a post Cooperation and Partnership Agreement while having a more precautionary attitude. The potential contractual cooperation will have to be based on the safe competitive rules allowing third parties the access to the resources supplying main pipeline from Russia to the European Union. An attitude that differentiates the supplying services from the infrastructure itself, as the EU’s rules on competition requests, should prevent the monopoly the Russion Federation is maintaining in energy supplying services. Not only prices, industry and population’s budgets are vulnerable, but also the supplying itself is affected by unpredictable external events of EU’s influence powers. Given the last years difficult situations when EU has had to face supply disruptions of gas and oil provided by the Russian Druzhba Pipeline, solutions are looked for to avoid in the future the energy security turbulences through action on the international stage. Apart other traditional energy resources existing in neighbor and Asian countries and that need to be considered, EU’s agenda has to include the practically exploitation at the international level of the high efficiency white energy generated by the windmills, solar panels, water electricity plants or wave power. As a result, the Commission Paper ”Facing External Energy Risks” underlined that besides intensifying the relationship with the new external partners for gas and oil supply, EU has taken the lead to promote the renewable energy technologies and to enhance the respect of Kyoto engagements by the international signatories for a sustainable energy and environment. Instruments like improving EU-Central Asia initiatives, the Neighborhood Policy, the Partnerships with the Mediterranean countries, cooperation relations with Caspian and the Black Sea regions, dialog with OPEC countries and building a special dialogue with African countries have to be rationally used for the future energy security.
In conclusion, EU fore has started to tackle inter-linked energy dependence, economic increase and clean environment issue to the core, actively dealing with internal and external factors that affect a safe and sustainable supply that affect the EU’s growth and welfare of its population. Energy and
Comment [A16]: Since you used a title in the previous points, consider adding one here as well
Comment [A17]: Spelling
Comment [A18]: Well written section, nevertheless consider cutting it a bit shorter
Interactive EU Tests & Preparatory Material www.eutests.eu
environment are global twin challenges for development, and EU undertook the leading role enhancing research initiatives and militating for genuine solutions to be fostered by the international key players.
Comment [A19]: Well written conclusion, just as long as it should be
The following essay has been written by an EU Tests user. Our experts have given some constructive feedback which may be useful for anyone preparing for the written exam of the EU competition. ******* ENERGY DEPENDENCE AND THE EU’s APPROACH
In 2005, European Commission presented the Green Paper “Energy Efficiency”. The central element was the predicted increase of the EU dependence on imported resources to 70% by 2030 from the current 50% level. Considering the general background of economic blooming need to meet the Lisbon target, energy security becomes a prerequisite. The depletion of the traditional energy resources and insufficient development of renewable energy, are the main reasons for the European Commission to propose a package of measures to establish a new Energy Policy for Europe at the beginning of 2007.
Comment [A1]: Overall a well written essay, nevertheless more attention should be given to the spelling, and some paragraphs could be shortened to focus more on the essential points
Comment [A2]: Too specific data for an intro, otherwise it would be fine in the next paragraph. Also, intro is a bit too long Comment [A3]: Remove
Moreover, the European Union ratified the Kyoto Protocol when the signatories undertaken to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to prevent the overheating of the planet by the end of this century. Europe committed to decrease with 8% the current quota during 2008-2012.
Comment [A4]: Pursuant to which / In which
Some time ago I wondered about EU’s possibility to respect the Kyoto requirements when Europe needs growth and more energy. However, I obtained the clarification just reading about the initiatives of the European Commission with regard to energy.
Comment [A6]: First person may be possible yet here consider using a general statement
1. Current proposal for a “New Energy Policy for Europe”. When presenting the proposal for a integrated energy and climate change package, the Commissioner Andris Piebalgs stressed that a new industrial revolution was needed in respect of the development of a low carbon economy. The package proposed by the Commission came up with solutions to answer the challenges, based on three central pillars.
Comment [A8]: Make sure to read twice the essay to avoid spelling or grammatical errors
1.1 A true internal market is a key measure to provide the competitiveness, sustainability and energy security for Europe. Assuring a clearer separation of energy production from energy distribution according to the competition rules, while extending with a minimum of 10% the interconnection level for the gas and electricity network are needed steps at this stage. A Council decision was adopted in 2006 to stimulate the development of important networks, as the Nabucco pipeline which will bring gas from Caspian Region to central Europe. 1.2 Accelerating the shift to the low carbon energy is the Europe’s ambition to maintain the leader position in the world, proposing a binding target of 20% renewable resources of its overall energy mix by 2020. Even though the EU’s leaders mentioned an intermediary target of 10% by 2010, this seemed a too high standard. One of the bottlenecks for the renewable energy resources is the competitiveness that they have to face on a market dominated by the traditional resources and a
Comment [A5]: Undertook
Comment [A7]: Also
Comment [A9]: Remove Comment [A10]: Below you list 4 or consider renaming the 4th as an independent title
Comment [A11]: Remove
Interactive EU Tests & Preparatory Material www.eutests.eu
massive growth will be required in three renewable energy sectors: electricity, biofuels and heating and cooling. Additionally, a minimum 10 % binding target should be achieved by all Member States for the share of biofuels in the overall petrol and diesel consumption for EU transport by 2020. A legislative framework to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars and vans will be proposed by the Commission by the end of this year. As research is essential to lower the cost of clean energy, Europe has decided to increase at least half of its financial appropriations for innovation on energy research during the next seven years. A potential investing resource is the money saved due to a more judicious behavior to decrese the wasting identified in the transport, building, or even in the energy production industry.
Comment [A12]: Spelling
1.3 Energy efficiency, if successful, could decrease with 20% the current consumption energy by 2020, saving around 100 billion Euros and an impressive volume of CO2 each year. This may result from the application of existing legislation and an effective implementation of the multi-annual energy programs. For instance, there were identified in the transport field measures like tax schemes favoring clean vehicles, rewarding the manufacturers supporting energy efficiency, and imposing fees to consumers for issues like tyre pressure, use of the public transport and car pools. In the building sector, replacing light bulbs, boilers and refrigerators with better performing appliances, or saving the wasted energy canceling the stand-by function of electrical devices are encouraged for both the industry and consumers. For the former ones, the efficient technology will help to produce more with less and the public authorities have to enhance the process in case the market mechanisms are not sufficient. Another saving possibility resides in new laws and new behavior of all the sectors concerned. (A minimum level of energy performance standard combined with labeling schemes would be needed for equipments, building and energy processing and distribution networks) 1.4 An Action Plan was approved in 2006 for the coming period, to address both the loses and the vulnerable price trends, the Council calling the member states for predictable price signals and actions and for energy efficiency awareness raising campaign through education.
Comment [A13]: A good listing of the three major action areas with good examples
2 Future agenda at EU level 2.1 2007-2009 Action Plan. More action is needed at EU level to deal with supply disruptions of the imported gas and oil and to boost the advanced technologies to produce sustainable energy and to collect carbon emissions from the power station using fossil raw materials. To redirect towards sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply, the spring European Council highlighted new priorities for 2007-2009: realization of an inter-connected opened market for gas and electricity, development of domestic energy sources, including renewable energy, extension of its internal market principle to
Comment [A14]: Consider adding a short introduction about the coming points
Comment [A15]: Open
Interactive EU Tests & Preparatory Material www.eutests.eu
neighboring countries. Development of cooperation to meet emergences and to create an early warning tool as well as a network of security correspondents are major target points. Additionally, an European Strategic Energy Technology Action Plan will be elaborated to extend to concept and use of renewable resources. 2.3 Kyoto and external relations opportunities. The Kyoto commitments are a strong motivation for EU to be a leader in the world to support the achievement of the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and the Commission’s intention to put forward in 2007 a proposal for a new international agreement on energy efficiency is highly appreciated. An integrated climate and energy policy, in a mutually supportive way could provide new sources of energy in a sustainable environment. Money saved due to energy efficiency and carbon pricing is an important resource that can be invested in research to burst the production and use of sustainable alternatives. Moreover, as Russia is the principal supplier of gas and oil, EU has initiated negotiations to conclude a post Cooperation and Partnership Agreement while having a more precautionary attitude. The potential contractual cooperation will have to be based on the safe competitive rules allowing third parties the access to the resources supplying main pipeline from Russia to the European Union. An attitude that differentiates the supplying services from the infrastructure itself, as the EU’s rules on competition requests, should prevent the monopoly the Russion Federation is maintaining in energy supplying services. Not only prices, industry and population’s budgets are vulnerable, but also the supplying itself is affected by unpredictable external events of EU’s influence powers. Given the last years difficult situations when EU has had to face supply disruptions of gas and oil provided by the Russian Druzhba Pipeline, solutions are looked for to avoid in the future the energy security turbulences through action on the international stage. Apart other traditional energy resources existing in neighbor and Asian countries and that need to be considered, EU’s agenda has to include the practically exploitation at the international level of the high efficiency white energy generated by the windmills, solar panels, water electricity plants or wave power. As a result, the Commission Paper ”Facing External Energy Risks” underlined that besides intensifying the relationship with the new external partners for gas and oil supply, EU has taken the lead to promote the renewable energy technologies and to enhance the respect of Kyoto engagements by the international signatories for a sustainable energy and environment. Instruments like improving EU-Central Asia initiatives, the Neighborhood Policy, the Partnerships with the Mediterranean countries, cooperation relations with Caspian and the Black Sea regions, dialog with OPEC countries and building a special dialogue with African countries have to be rationally used for the future energy security.
In conclusion, EU fore has started to tackle inter-linked energy dependence, economic increase and clean environment issue to the core, actively dealing with internal and external factors that affect a safe and sustainable supply that affect the EU’s growth and welfare of its population. Energy and
Comment [A16]: Since you used a title in the previous points, consider adding one here as well
Comment [A17]: Spelling
Comment [A18]: Well written section, nevertheless consider cutting it a bit shorter
Interactive EU Tests & Preparatory Material www.eutests.eu
environment are global twin challenges for development, and EU undertook the leading role enhancing research initiatives and militating for genuine solutions to be fostered by the international key players.
Comment [A19]: Well written conclusion, just as long as it should be
