Tyrolean Energy Strategy 2020 (Tiroler Energiestrategie 2020)
Contents
General
The dependence of Tyrol on imported energy sources should in the long term perspective be kept to a minimum and the necessary energy supply infrastructure should be ensured. To this end it is necessary to increase energy efficiency through innovative energy generation technologies and changes in energy end-user behaviour, but also through construction of local energy generation facilities. Energy Strategy 2020 is based on a package of measures for energy efficiency improvement, promotion of energy production from RES and guaranteeing of energy supply for the purposes of implementing the requirements of the EU Directive concerning energy efficiency improvement and increase by more than 50% of the share of energy from RES. With regards to measures for buildings Energy Strategy Tyrol 2020 is mainly focused on the following areas:
- space heating and air-conditioning of buildings (residential and intended for services);
- electricity;
- RES.
Space Heating, Cooling, Ventilation (Air Conditioning)
Private Households
Consumption for space heating predominates in energy end-use by households and at the same time the highest potential for energy efficiency improvement exists here. Through implementation of low-energy buildings and passive house standards in new buildings or buildings renovation savings of up to 80% of energy consumption for space heating can be achieved. It is particularly important that the annual number of residential buildings being renovated, which currently amounts to less than 1%, be increased to at least 3% in order to achieve the 5% share laid down in the action plan in parallel with the improvement of the quality of renovation in the direction of low-energy or passive building. This should be achieved mainly through such tools like promotion of low-energy or passive buildings construction, building regulations, consultancy services, education and skills upgrading, as well as work among the broad public. Space heating objectives for households
- New buildings: minimum energy standard: category A energy passport: maximum heating demand 25 kWh/m² per year;
- Acceleration of the activities for renovation of buildings with a special focus on good-quality comprehensive renovation for attainment on the average of energy performance standard for issue of category B energy passport (maximum useful heating demand 50 kWh/m² per year).
Private and public services
In the field of services energy consumption for space heating predominates, although on a smaller scale than in the households sector – 50% of the total, followed by electricity consumption about 45% of the total (less transport). The highest potential for savings exists in the field of space heating (up to 80 %) and ventilation/air conditioning (up to 60%). The Energy Strategy aims at combination of economic growth with reduction of energy consumption through measures for energy efficiency improvement in the field of services. To achieve this objective it is necessary to reduce the energy consumption for space heating through application of low-energy buildings and passive house standards in both construction of new buildings and building renovations. Special emphasis is laid on avoidance of the need for air-conditioning (integrated planning). The use of energy from RES is promoted with priority depending on demand, for example solar systems for domestic hot water. Space heating objectives for services
- New buildings: minimum energy standard: category A energy passport (maximum 25 kWh/m².year heating demand), as well as mandatory requirement for use of passive house components;
- Renovation: good quality and comprehensiveness of renovation works for the achievement on the average of energy performance of category B energy passport (maximum 50 kWh/m².year heating demand);
- Optimisation of in-house systems (space heating, ventilation, air-conditioning).
Due to the economic role of tourism and the high space heating demand in this sector stricter efforts for energy efficiency are of particular significance. Accommodation facilities possess large potential for improvement in space heating during renovation works, as well as in the case of new construction. The use of RES like biomass and thermal solar installations, such as installations for domestic hot water, are particularly suitable for this services sector with its high demand of hot water with low temperature. Tyrol Energy Strategy 2020 envisages for the public services sector the function to act as a model, for instance through construction of new buildings complying with a passive house standard or through renovation using passive house components.
Electricity
Regardless of the energy efficiency improvements the rate of growth of electricity consumption is 2% per year. The Energy Strategy aims at breaking this trend and achieving a reduction of the average specific electricity consumption per household. By expert assessment the potential for electrical energy efficiency improvement in households is about 30% through wider use of energy efficient household appliances and lighting, as well as by changes of consumer behaviour.
Renewable Energy Sources (RES)
The major ways of use of RES energy in households are diverse and include biomass, solar energy and geothermal energy. In view of its lower heating demand the innovative types of buildings, such as low energy buildings and passive houses, which use solar energy and geothermal energy, are becoming increasingly important. The Energy Strategy aims at promoting the share of energy from RES to a maximum. The major instruments for this purpose are promotional measures, consultancy services and work with the general public. In future new technologies will be used on a broader scale in the services sector, for instance in administrative buildings and commercial sites. Thus the innovative and efficient use of geothermal energy for heating and cooling in commercial buildings will be ever more frequently taken into consideration. The significance of photovoltaic plants will also increase.
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