Renewable Energy

Global hydrogen demand grew marginally, with most still from traditional sources. Shift to low-emissions hydrogen is crucial, underpinned by technology and investment growth. Challenges persist in financing, regulation, and infrastructure, but opportunities for innovation and development in various sectors remain, with significant implications for the future energy landscape.

The STORMING project innovates in methane cracking for CO₂-free hydrogen and carbon nanotubes production, aligning with Hydrogen Europe's pathways for a sustainable energy transition and offering economic and environmental benefits. Challenges remain in scaling and integration into industries.

The "From Farm to Fork" strategy under the European Green Deal sets ambitious targets like reducing pesticides, increasing organic farming, and halving food waste by 2030. It emphasizes environmental health and economic benefits, advocating technological innovation and stronger global partnerships for sustainable food systems.

FUN STORY: The EENOVA project enhanced energy efficiency in Foodville's food processing industry through whimsical roundtables, innovative audits, practical solutions, policy recommendations, celebratory events, skill training, and humorous communication strategies, leaving a sustainable and competitive legacy.

The FAO 2011 paper advocates for an energy-smart food system to enhance sustainability, reduce GHG emissions, and improve food security by boosting energy efficiency and integrating renewable energies across the food supply chain, while providing policy recommendations and calling for international cooperation.

Mafalda Silva is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. She has participated and managed multiple projects concerning energy planning and sustainability. Silva has developed a heat and cold matching platform that determines the costs and benefits related to excess heat utilization routes for the industry and end users.

The EU food sector is a major energy consumer with significant potential for efficiency improvements and renewable energy integration, including bioenergy from food waste and on-farm biogas, though it remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Recent innovations and consumer behavior changes, together with EU policies, are fostering a transition to a more sustainable energy footprint.

This article discusses institutional investors' perspective on energy efficiency and how metered efficiency could spur investment. It addresses financial institutions' growing interest in energy efficiency due to market potential, risk mitigation, carbon emission reduction, and regulatory pressure. Barriers like small project scale, heterogeneity, data scarcity, and performance risk inhibit investment. The concept of metered efficiency, akin to Power Purchase Agreements, is presented as a solution to align payment with actual energy savings, enhancing investability and quality assurance in energy efficiency projects.

The European Energy Efficiency Conference in Wels, Austria, from 6-7 March 2024, emphasizes urgent implementation of energy efficiency measures in response to fluctuating prices, geopolitical instability, and climate crisis. It addresses new EU targets, energy efficiency market demands, and showcases the EENOVA and DEESME EU projects. Over 60 speakers will cover policies, markets, financing, e-mobility, and industrial decarbonization. The event includes a tradeshow and opportunities for peer exchange and networking.