Artigos
The presentation in Cairo on December 18, 2023, outlined work on Energy Service Company (ESCO) contracts, emphasizing the significant gap between the potential for energy efficiency projects and the volume of financeable, developed projects. The global goal is to enhance the reduction rate of energy intensity to 4% annually, requiring a tripled investment in energy efficiency, aligned with energy supply investment. Four key drivers for increasing investment in energy efficiency were identified: demand, capacity to develop projects, financing capacity, and available finance. The ESCO concept was highlighted, including energy services and efficiency improvements paid for based on performance, with historical origins dating back to the 1770s with Boulton and Watt's steam engine agreements. ESCO models have evolved, including shared savings and guaranteed savings models, with the latter being more common due to reduced risk of disputes. Innovation in ESCO contracts continues, with examples like 'as a service' models and Cooling as a Service (CaaS) gaining importance. Risks in energy efficiency projects are better understood, including performance and equipment risks, highlighting the necessity of risk management. ESCOs can overcome the ‘development gap’ by offering their expertise and financial options but are not a panacea – they function well under specific conditions and require long-term client stability. Super ESCOs act as a scaling up mechanism through standardized contracts and processes, development of projects at scale, and securing finance. Lessons learned indicate success depends on developing project pipelines, standardization, capacity building, and providing both development and project finance. To meet the goal of tripling energy efficiency investment, policymakers, ESCO professionals, and financial institutions need to collaborate, maintaining realistic assessments of ESCO capabilities and encouraging innovative contract forms and business models.
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Transitioning industrial zones into hubs for circularity
The Horizon-Europe IS2H4C project, coordinated by Devrim Murat Yazan, University of Twente, and funded with 23.5 million euros, aims for systemic industrial symbiosis across Europe, targeting zero emissions and sustainable practices in various industries through innovation and the collaboration of 35 partners.
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Artificial Intelligence Act: Landmark Deal Reached for World's First AI Rules
The EU's Artificial Intelligence Act, following a three-day negotiation, aims to integrate AI into the European market, balancing innovation with fundamental rights protection. The act's risk-based approach sets stringent rules for high-risk AI applications, excludes certain AI uses, and provides specific law enforcement exceptions. It establishes a governance system, including an AI Board, and introduces penalties for violations. The legislation will take effect two years post-enactment, with a focus on transparent and responsible AI development.
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Empowering Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the Energy Transition: The DEESME Project
The DEESME project, under EU's Horizon 2020, aids SMEs in energy efficiency endeavours, countering technical, financial, and awareness barriers. It provides a multi-layered approach to align SMEs with EU goals, offering policy recommendations and strategies to effectively implement Article 11 of the Energy Efficiency Directive.
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Revolutionizing Ammonia: The Quest for Sustainability and Efficiency in Fertilizer Production
The article discusses the environmental impact and need for innovation in the Haber-Bosch process for ammonia production. It explores greener alternatives, including the use of renewable energy and nitrogen-fixing enzymes, and the development of flexible reactors and advanced electrocatalysis methods for sustainable synthesis.
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EU Policies for Advancing Green Hydrogen
The European Union is intensifying efforts to foster green hydrogen as a key component of its energy and climate strategy. Policies are being developed to support the production, distribution, and use of green hydrogen, aligning with the EU's broader goals of achieving carbon neutrality and sustainable economic growth.
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Summary of the IEA Electricity Market Report 2023
The IEA Electricity Market Report 2023 paints a picture of a world grappling with the dual challenges of meeting growing energy demands and transitioning to a more sustainable and low-carbon energy future. Low-emission power sources are poised to meet nearly all the global electricity demand growth by 2025.
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Getting to grips with the complexities of industrial decarbonisation using soft systems
The article discusses the application of the soft systems model to industrial decarbonisation, emphasizing 'contextual evaluation'. This approach examines how decarbonisation measures align with an organization's broader policies and strategies. It involves assessing technical, financial, and contextual aspects to generate new ideas and requires thinking beyond conventional energy management boundaries.
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Innovative financial solutions to fight energy poverty
How social housing associations and EU projects are using innovative financial and solidarity mechanisms to combat energy poverty, emphasizing the dual benefit of social welfare and environmental sustainability through the refurbishment of buildings for energy efficiency.
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Water & energy reuse: from waste to resource
Alufluor collaborated with the EU's iWAYS project to optimize resource recovery, focusing on reducing emissions and recycling. The initiative introduced technologies to conserve water and energy. The partnership aims to enhance sustainability in European industries without compromising economic progress.
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