European experts urge energy-efficiency investment to boost industry competitiveness

European industry could become more competitive and tap new markets by investing in energy- efficient technologies for buildings and domestic appliances, experts said at a meeting here on Tuesday.


"The cheapest energy, is energy we do not use," said Lykke Friis, Denmark's Climate and Energy Minister, who opened the 6th international conference on Energy Efficiency in Domestic Appliances and Lighting.


"Where we can save energy on domestic appliances, then we can use that energy for something else," she told Xinhua.


The conference, which ends Thursday, is exploring sustainable ways to measure and improve energy use in home appliances, ICT products and buildings, and tackles issues such as upgrading electric supply systems, energy and resource conservation, and standardization of efficiency measures and labels.


Participants also signaled that European industry must take a lead in delivering cleaner and more energy-efficient products.


"In the European parliament... there is a huge majority for focusing on innovation and research in connection with energy- efficiency as a solution to competitiveness, the climate issue, and rising energy demand," said Lena Ek, Member of European Parliament.


In its Energy Efficiency Plan, released in March, the EU said it wants to improve energy-efficiency by 20 percent, generate 20 percent of its power from renewable sources, and reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent, by the year 2020.


Moreover, low-energy innovations could help both European and other global producers tap into the world's emerging economies, where demand for products like energy-saving light bulbs, refrigerators, and air-conditioners, is growing, the conference suggested.


Although Europe's industries have proven experience and a strong market presence in manufacture of energy-efficient goods, Ek believes they must innovate if they are to compete with emerging market producers.


"The most difficult thing from an economic point of view is a standstill... our long-innovation cycles: we have to shorten the innovation cycle in Europe," Ek told Xinhua in an interview.


"Of course, the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries are very good at this, very smart, very fast. It is a challenge for old industry in Europe to stand up to this competition," she added.


SMART HOMES, GADGETS


Light emitting diodes, which can reduce energy used in lighting by half, voltage regulators for buildings, which lower overall energy consumption, and a 'low power transformer', which can cut home appliance's standby power to zero watts, were among the products showcased by European manufacturers on the sidelines of the conference.


Indeed, efficiency gains in domestic appliances are crucial as "it is the fastest growing sector - everything from home computers to mobile phones," said Bo Diczfalusy, Director of Sustainable Energy Policy and Technology at the International Energy Agency.


The information and communication technology sector alone accounts for 8 percent of the total energy consumption in the EU, a number set to double by 2020, according to figures from the European Commission Joint Research Center (JRC).


While energy use by appliances is rising, buildings already account for 40 percent of the energy consumption in the European Union, while contributing one-third of its greenhouse gas emissions, the JRC says.


Friis noted that Denmark is particularly seeking to tighten regulations governing the energy-efficiency of buildings, while continuing the energy-marking of domestic appliances and buildings, and pursuing an integrated energy grid for the European Union.


DRAWBACKS


While plans abound for improved energy-efficiency, Diczfalusy said a lack of visible returns for investors can pose a challenge to investing in energy-efficient products.


In the building sector, for instance, it is landlords who invest in insulating a house, but it is the tenant who benefits by way of lower heating bills. And Rene Ingemann Pedersen, co- inventor of the 'low power transformer', told Xinhua it has taken four years for his company to find an investor and convince manufacturers to adopt it.


"Yes, it is a cost, but on the other hand, it moves innovation in the right direction, so European industry becomes more competitive," Ek reflected on the cost-benefit aspect of Europe's efficiency investments.


Moreover, the EU calculates that investing in clean, energy- efficient technologies today will be compensated by lower energy bills and fuel savings of between 175-230 billion euros on average, per year, by 2050.
(Source:http://news.xinhuanet.com)