BPIE: Europe's buildings under the microscope - PU Europe
BPIE: Europe's buildings under the microscope - PU Europe
BPIE: Europe's buildings under the microscope - PU Europe
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
R&D<br />
The <strong>Europe</strong>an Union supports R&D through Framework Programme 7. This includes funding for energy<br />
efficient <strong>buildings</strong>. Currently, much of <strong>the</strong> focus is on public-private partnerships for energy-efficient<br />
<strong>buildings</strong> and <strong>the</strong> demonstration of zero carbon building renovations for cities and regions.<br />
The <strong>Europe</strong>an Commission and many Member States also participate in technology programmes<br />
of <strong>the</strong> International Energy Agency, based in Paris. Participation is through <strong>the</strong> use of Implementing<br />
Agreements of <strong>the</strong> IEA that allow participating countries to share research efforts. For <strong>buildings</strong> <strong>the</strong>re are<br />
separate implementing agreements on <strong>buildings</strong> and community systems, district heating and cooling,<br />
energy storage, heat pumping technologies and efficient electrical end-use equipment. The IEA recently<br />
published a report outlining <strong>the</strong> effectiveness of <strong>the</strong>ir implementing agreements and <strong>the</strong> strategies for<br />
<strong>the</strong> future. 40 EU countries are very active. For example, for <strong>the</strong> agreement on <strong>buildings</strong> and community<br />
systems, 15 Member States participate as well as Norway and Switzerland. Many of <strong>the</strong>se implementing<br />
agreements have been operating since <strong>the</strong> 1980s.<br />
40<br />
IEA, Energy Technology Initiatives, Implementation Through Multi-lateral Co-operation, IEA/OECD, 2010.<br />
For more information on <strong>the</strong> <strong>buildings</strong>-related implementing agreements go to http://www.iea.org/techno/technologies/enduse.asp.<br />
96 | <strong>Europe</strong>’s <strong>buildings</strong> <strong>under</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>microscope</strong>