Erec Newsletter March-april 2009 01

NEWSLETTER By the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) March - April 2009

POLICY update Renewable Energy Directive European Economic Recovery Plan European Parliament vote on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

NEWS from EREC the European Renewable Energy Council Contact

New horizon for EREC Policy Director Oliver Schaefer

EREC European Renewable Energy Council Rue d’Arlon 63-67 B-1040 Brussels Belgium

Project workshop: STORIES – Greek case studies presented in Athens 1st Stakeholders’workshop: Project MOUNTAIN_RES/RUE in Bulgaria New publications produced within the MASSIG project Kick-off project meeting: REPAP2020

Tel. +32 2 546 1933 Fax +32 2 546 1934

New project website: ENERGY UNION

[email protected] www.erec.org

IEE Call for Proposal - Renewable Energy Info Day Launch of Energy [R]evolution in India as a start-up for IREC 2010 in India

NEWS from REH the Renewable Energy House New4Old workshops

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Upcoming EVENTS International Renewable Energy Congress Green Power, Poznan, 19-20 May 2009 4th European Solar Thermal Energy Conference, Munich, 25–26 May 2009 1st European Algae Biomass Association (EABA) Conference and General Assembly Meeting, Florence, 3-4 June 2009 ESHA SHAPES Project – Multipurpose Power Plant Conference, 9-10 June 2009 European Technology Platform RHC – workshop of the geothermal panel, Brussels, 26 June 2009 3rd Biomass Industry Day, Hamburg, 1 July 2009 European Offshore Wind 2009 Conference & Exhibition, Stockholm, 14-16 September 2009 SolarPACES 2009, Berlin, 15-18 September 2009 24th EU PVSEC – EPIA – WIP institutional cooperation, Hamburg, 21-25 September 2009 China Wind Power 2009, Beijing, 21-23 October 2009 2nd EPIA International Thin Film Conference, Munich, 12 November 2009 3rd European Renewable Energy Policy Conference, Brussels, 16-17 November 2009 European Wind Energy Conference & Exhibition (EWEC) 2010, Warsaw, 20-23 April 2010

POLICY update Renewable Energy Directive The RES Directive has been endorsed by the Justice and Home Affairs Ministers on the 6th of April. It will: • be published in the Official Journal beginning of May. • enter into force 20 days after the publication in the OJ. Which means new RES-E plants or increased capacity started counting towards the target. • be transposed 18 months after publication in OJ which means November 2010 (except for article 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 on the RAPs which should be transposed immediately).

European Economic Recovery Plan On 28 January 2009, as part of the overall European Economic Recovery Plan, the Commission proposed a €5 billion investment package designed to stimulate the EU’s economy in the current recession. A substantial element of this proposal is dedicated to energy related projects, which is in line with the creation of a true functioning European energy market. It is essential that the European Economic Recovery Plan (EERP) achieves short-term economic stimulus and widespread job creation as well as sets the foundation for longer term recovery. EREC together with Energie-Cités, Climate Alliance, ICLEI and Eurocities was lobbying for the inclusion of a fourth project category of smart energy cities into the recovery plan as cities can deliver sustainable EREC Newsletter – March/April 2009 / 2

development that will lead to both short term stimulation and longer term restructuring of the EU’s economy. In an informal trilogue meeting on the 16th of April, the Council, the European Parliament as well as the Commission have found an agreement on the recovery plan which stipulates that in case it would not be possible to commit all funds by the end of 2010, the unspent money should be used to fund renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. The Parliament will vote on it during its May Plenary.

European Parliament Vote on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive The European Renewable Energy Council welcomes the plenary vote on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in the European Parliament. With a majority of 549 votes in favour of the report, the European Parliament clearly showed that addressing the building sector is key in the fight against climate change and will provide for the creation of new jobs in the energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors. Net Zero Energy Buildings The European Parliament report requires all new buildings to become net-zero energy buildings by December 2018. Both existing and new public buildings must implement requirements three years earlier, considering the exemplary role they have to play. Net-zero energy buildings implies a high level of energy efficiency measures, in combination with on-site renewable energy production. However, EREC regrets that the obligation to consider and take into account the feasibility of renewable energy sources in new buildings from the entry into force of the Directive – which was agreed in the ITRE vote - has been watered down in the plenary vote. Financing mechanisms EREC strongly welcomes the agreement on financing mechanisms. The Parliament’s report requires the European Commission to bring forward in 2010 legislative proposals considering reduced VAT-rates for services and products linked to renewable energy and energy efficiency. The proposals should also consider an increase of the maximum amount of the European Regional Development Fund allocation to support energy efficiency and renewable energy. Last but not least, a fund should be established, based on contributions from the Community budget, the European Investment Bank and Member States for investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy in buildings. EREC now calls on the Council to keep this integrated approach based both on demand and supply-side measures to fully reap the benefits of sustainable buildings in terms of security of energy supply, competitiveness of our industries and sustainability.

NEWS from EREC the European Renewable Energy Council New horizons for EREC Policy Director Oliver Schaefer After five years of directing EREC’s policy team, Oliver Schaefer has decided to take up a new challenge by opening the Brussels office of SunPower Corporation. Oliver was a valued member of the team and will be very much missed. EREC would like to thank Oliver for his commitment and dedicated work over the last five years and wishes him all the best for his future career.

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Project workshop: STORIES – Greek case studies presented in Athens On the 11th of March the STORIES team organised a workshop aiming to present the results of the analysis of Greek case studies at the premises of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) in Athens. This workshop was part of the local targeted campaigns as foreseen in the project. This successful event gathered more than 40 participants among whom all major stakeholders (i.e. regulators, industry, Greek government, researchers, representatives of island authorities). The most relevant goal reached in the workshop was the high level of interest on the project expressed by the Ministry of Development (represented by its Director for RES and ES), who promised that the results of STORIES will be taken into account from the Law Preparing Committee, responsible for new legislation in the field of RES. The presentations of the workshop (in Greek and in English) are available on STORIES Website Further information, please visit EREC website

1st Stakeholders’workshop: Project MOUNTAIN_RES/RUE in Bulgaria The first of a series of Stakeholders’ Workshops will be held in the Sapareva Banya Municipality, in Bulgaria, on the 13th of May, within MOUNTAIN_RES/RUE project. These interactive events will gather energy actors and interested stakeholders from candidate States with the purpose of disseminating MOUNTAIN_RES/RUE results in other EU’s communities with similar characteristics and receiving feedbacks on the project. The agenda of the workshop is available on MOUNTAIN RES/RUE WEBSITE For further information, please visit EREC website

Intelligent Energy Europe

New publications produced within the MASSIG project

The following documents on “Market Access for Smaller Size Intelligent Electricity Generation” are available (in English or German). M. Raimann et al.: "Pre-conditions for entering "big markets" by "small DG". C. Obersteiner, L. Weißensteiner, R. Haas et al. "Market potentials, trends and marketing options for Distributed Generation in Europe" Energy Economics Group, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria, November 2008 T. Erge "Examples for: Adjustment of Generation Properties by Clustering" Fraunhofer ISE, Freiburg, Germany, September 2008 G. Streckiene, A. N. Andersen: "Analysing the optimal size of a CHP-unit and thermal store when a German CHP-plant is selling at the Spot market" EMD International A/S, Aalborg, Denmark, 28.5.2008 EREC Newsletter – March/April 2009 / 4

T. Erge: "Energieproduzenten intelligent vernetzen" Fraunhofer ISE, Freiburg, Germany published in: Haustech, Zurich, Switzerland, June 2008, p.30-33 A. N. Andersen: "Biogas store is winning over Thermal store" EMD International A/S, Aalborg, Denmark, 1.6.2008 Please find here the publications. More publications to come: stay posted! For further information, please visit EREC website

Kick-off project meeting: REPAP2020 On the 3rd April the kick-off meeting of the project “Renewable Energy Policy Action Paving the Way towards 2020 (REPAP2020)” signed the start of a 30-month-period cooperation among EREC, EUFORES, national RES Associations as well as some scientific partners.. REPAP2020 aims at facilitating the process of implementation of the RES Directive at a national level as well as at creating a network of key players in the field of renewable energy by creating networks among RES industry associations, Parliamentarians (both EU and national Parliaments) and National Administrations in charge of energy issues. For further information, please visit EREC Website

New project website: ENERGY UNION

Plenty of information on “Intelligent Energy” and on the project Rail Tour 2009 are available on the new ENERGY UNION website...”it’s time” to visit it! For further information, please visit EREC website

IEE Call for Proposal – Renewable Energy Info Day The new IEE Call for Proposal was launched at the end of March. A total budget of €65 million will be granted in support of IEE projects of which €25 million will be devoted to renewable energy and related integrated projects. The deadline for submitting applications is the 25th June 2009. More information at Energy - Intelligent Energy Europe A Renewable Energy Info Day for “Multiplier” Organizations will be held at the EACI headquarters in Brussels on the 29th April. This half-a-day event will be built on the European Info day for the Intelligent Energy Europe programme, held in January 2009, and will be particularly dealing with those Renewable Energy key actions (i.e. ALTENER and Integrated actions) which are open in the IEE Call 2009. The "multiplier organisations" involved will participate in discussions and ask questions during the Info day, but will be also requested afterwards to mobilise their members, partners and clients, who are key actors in the market, to participate in high quality proposals for IEE projects. EACI’s aim is to attract new proposals for IEE projects which will rise to the challenge of the 20-20-20 targets and make big impacts in the market. The agenda of the event is available here. EREC Newsletter – March/April 2009 / 5

Launch of Energy [R]evolution in India as a start-up for IREC 2010 in India On 24-25 March 2009, EREC together with Greenpeace released the second version of the "Energy [R]evolution: A sustainable India Energy Outlook" and calls for political will to back solutions for India's energy that is secure, technically feasible and sustainable in a climate challenged world. The report shows how ambitions of economic growth and development can be met while curbing India's carbon emissions. More than 35% of the India's electricity demands can be met from renewable energy by 2030 and 50% of the projected energy requirements can be met simply from smart and efficient generation, distribution and use of energy. In parallel, EREC held meetings with different Indian stakeholders and high-level contacts in the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy on the subject of the International Renewable Energy Conference that is planned to take place in New Delhi from 17-19 February 2010. As for previous events (Bonn 2004, Beijing 2005, Washington 2008), EREC together with other stakeholders will help to facilitate business sector participation at this major global renewable energy conference.

NEWS from the REH the Renewable Energy House New4Old workshop

The New4Old workshop is targeted to architects, planners, developers, building engineers as well as real estate agents. It will take place on next 25th and 26th May at the University of Athens. The participation is free of charge. This workshop is organized in collaboration with the National and Kapodestrian University of Athens – NKUA – which will host 3 sessions in the 2-days workshop : Air Conditioning Inspection and Audit Procedures in the Tertiary Building, Integration of RES and RUE measures in historic buildings, High energy performance buildings and market opportunities For further information, please visit EREC website New4Old will also be part of the 3-days international conference Ökosan from 7th to 9th October 2009 in Weiz, Austria. The event organized by AEE-INTEC features conferences, visits of sites and poster presentations. Topics on the building stock and approaches for solutions will be analyzed and revealed with representatives of policy, economic and research. Please go here for further information

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Upcoming EVENTS International Renewable Energy Congress Green Power,Poznan, 19-20 May 2009

On the 19th and 20th May 2009, PIGEO (Polish Economic Chamber of Renewable Energy) will organise the International Renewable Energy Congress Green Power in Poznan/Poland. EREC will facilitate this event that will represent the first of a series of national RES conferences, as foreseen in REPAP2020. The Congress will be composed by: a plenary session; the Conference “Financing investment projects in the Renewable Energy Sector”; 6 sector conferences and Accompanying events (e.g. Green Rooms – info points for investors). All representatives of EREC’s members are entitled to a 15% discount on the registration fee. For further information please visit Greenpower 2009

4th European Solar Thermal Energy Conference, Munich, 25–26 May 2009

The European Directive on Renewable Energy Sources – which was agreed upon in December 2008 – covers for the first time also the heating and cooling sector. And obligations to use solar thermal or other renewable technologies in buildings are spreading in Europe. Last year, consumers saw the oil price surge to 140 $ per barrel and in January Europeans were again reminded that its gas supply depends upon only a very small number of countries. These new framework conditions are creating opportunities for the solar thermal industry. The 4th European Solar Thermal Energy Conference (estec2009) aims to help the solar thermal sector to take advantage of this favorable context. The estec2009 programme has been drawn up to help you “get ready for the solar thermal boom”. It will provide up-to-date information on current and emerging solar thermal markets, newest technological innovations and latest policy developments. All stakeholders of the solar thermal sector are invited to participate in estec2009 on 25-26 May 2009 at the Bayerischer Hof – one of Germany’s top hotel addresses. For further information please visit www.estec2009.org

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1st European Algae Biomass Association (EABA) Conference and General Assembly Meeting, Florence, 3-4 June 2009

EBB (European Biodiesel Board) invites you to the 1st EABA Conference and General Assembly meeting, to be held in Florence, next June 3-4, 2009. The main objective of EABA is to join forces of the European scientific communities and of industrial sectors active in the field of algae or aquatic biomass, in order to create a platform to promote synergies, maintain solidarity and represent the European Algae Biomass sector vis-à-vis the EU and international authorities. The draft programme and registration form are available online. For further information about the event and the association, please visit our website, www.eabaassociation.eu or contact us at [email protected].

ESHA SHAPES Project – Multipurpose Power Plant Conference, 9-10 June 2009

In the context of the EU FP6 co-funded SHAPES project, which ESHA is coordinating, project partner Wasser Tirol is organizing a seminar for to visit and have lectures in different multipurpose SHP plants operating around the Tirol area in Austria. The SHAPES Project promotes the appropriate technology for multipurpose small power plants, for example as drinking water power plants or waste water power plants. The event is targeted at communities, authorities, industries, engineers and water distribution companies, and is free of charge. Closing date for application is 29 May 2009 Contact person – Angelika Rabanser – [email protected] Tel: +43 512 209 100

European Technology Platform RHC – workshop of the geothermal panel, Brussels, 26 June 2009

ETP-RHC GEOTHERMAL PANEL The European Technology Platform - RHC is now officially created and endorsed by the European Commission. 4 panels are created: Solar Thermal / Biomass / Geothermal / Cross cutting issues (District heating, Storage, Cooling…). The Platform intends to elaborate detailed research strategies within the next two years. Geothermal Panel The establishment of a geothermal panel in this ETP is a very important step to help accelerate the development of geothermal technology so that it can quickly become a significant energy resource in Europe. EREC Newsletter – March/April 2009 / 8

This kick-off meeting will serve as the first step in creating the different working groups (Geothermal Heat Pumps, …) and in electing the Geothermal Panel’s Steering Committee. For further information please contact [email protected] or visit www.egec.org

3rd Biomass Industry Day, Hamburg, 1 July 2009

EUBIA is organising the third installment of the “Biomass Industry Day” to take place in Hamburg, Germany on the 1st July 2009, in the framework of the 17th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition. The programme of this one-day will focus on financing biomass for electricity and heating projects and present case studies of various projects in those sectors. The morning session will look at the EU policy framework in place to incentivise investment in biomass projects, by giving an overview of the RES Directive and will discuss the upcoming European Commission Communication on Financing Low Carbon Technologies. Analysing the investment needs in the biomass sector to reach the EU 2020 targets will be presented in this section. The next session will look at the financing and investment trends in large scale biomass power generation in the EU. A roundtable of industry experts will discuss where biomass investments lie and where the money will come from up to 2020 and tackle questions on what the financing challenges, risks and costs associated with bio power generation in Europe are and the barriers to the development of large scale biomass projects. The afternoon session will look at the successful commercial deployment of biomass technologies in the electricity and heating sector presenting case studies from various companies. For further information please EUBIA website and contact: [email protected]

European Offshore Wind 2009 Conference & Exhibition, Stockholm, 14-16 September 2009

European Offshore Wind 2009 will bring together policy makers, technical specialists, operational teams, business leaders and academics to deliver the latest developments and discoveries in offshore wind. The conference programme addresses the challenges and opportunities in the development of offshore wind power from a wide range of perspectives. Be a part of the world's largest offshore wind event: Register online now as a conference delegate and get a 100 Euro early-bird discount. Over 80% of the exhibition space has already been sold - book your stand now and join the leading players in offshore wind energy.

For further information please visit www.offshorewind2009.info

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SolarPACES 2009, Berlin, 15-18 September 2009.

SolarPACES 2009 conference (Electricity, fuels and clean water powered by the sun) supports by ESTELA (European Solar Thermal Electricity) is a foremost symposium for the who’s who in concentrating solar power and chemical energy systems. SolarPACES 2009 offers a forum for industry, research, politics and financing stakeholders within the framework of a scientific conference programme with leading world experts. SolarPACES 2009 looks back on a 30-year tradition of conferences in a skyrocketing CSP market. The last meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada attracted almost 500 international experts from science, industry, politics and the finance sector.

For further information please visit www.solarpaces2009.org.

24th EU PVSEC - EPIA-WIP institutional cooperation, Hamburg, 21-25 September 2009 The 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (21st to 25th September 2009) and Exhibition (21st to 24th September 2009) will be held at the CCH - Congress Center and International Fair in Hamburg, Germany. The “who's who” of the PV Solar branch will meet to discuss the latest developments in science and industry. The 24th EU PVSEC is organised by WIP. There is a close institutional cooperation with EPIA in different fields of the event. Contact person: Ms. Kinga Timaru-Kast. Phone: +32 (0)2 400 10 57, E-mail: [email protected] For more information: www.photovoltaic-conference.com

China Wind Power 2009, Beijing, 21-23 October 2009 As said by EWEA China has potential to be the world’s biggest wind energy market by 2020. China Wind Power 2009 hosted by Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association (CREIA) and Chinese Wind Energy Association (CWEA) will be China’s most important wind energy conference and exhibition. For more information: www.chinawind.org.cn

2nd EPIA International Thin Film Conference, Munich, 12 November 2009 For its second edition, the EPIA International Thin Film Conference will presents the state-of-the-art of PV Thin Film and offer an excellent opportunity to network with Thin Film's most knowledgeable experts. Contact person: Ms. Kinga Timaru-Kast. Phone: +32 (0)2 400 10 57, E-mail: [email protected]

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3rd European Renewable Energy Policy Conference, Brussels, 16-17 November 2009

Major European RES policy conference organised by EREC (European Renewable Energy Council) and its partners. It will serve as a high-level platform for dialogues between the renewable energy industry and the political level at a moment when the new Commission and the new European Parliament will be in place, thereby offering an excellent possibility to the RES industry to position themselves towards these new decision makers. The Conference will place within the frame of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union at an appropriate and strategic time: After the election of the new Members of the European Parliament and the Commission At the time when Member States have to define their Renewable National Action Plans Before the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (COP15) This means the 3rd European Renewable Energy Policy Conference could have a significant influence on Members States decisions on which renewable energies to insert in their National Action Plans which have to be finalized by June 2010. This issue will also be reinforced during the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (COP15) which will take place in December 2009. Please find here the 1st Announcement of the Conference. For further information please visit www.erec.org/policyconference2009 GET VISIBILITY IN FRONT OF EU-DECISION MAKERS! The 3rd European Renewable Policy Conference is the perfect moment to initiate a partnership with EREC, Sophie Liberatore (EREC Marketing Manager) is at your entire disposal and would be delighted to give you further information about sponsorship opportunities.

European Wind Energy Conference & Exhibition (EWEC) 2010, Warsaw, 20-23 April 2010

The call for abstracts for EWEC 2010 is now open. The comprehensive programme will cover every key aspect of the wind energy market – from technical and theoretical to policy and practice. Don’t miss this opportunity to present at Europe’s leading wind energy conference - submit your abstract now. The 4,700 m2 of exhibition space has already been sold. You can still raise your company’s profile at the event by becoming a sponsor – take a look at our sponsorship opportunities to find the one that best suits you. For further information please visit www.ewec2010.info

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