Chapter 18 According To Literature Review And The EU Energy

Chapter 18 According To Literature Review And The EU Energy Security

Chapter 18 – According to literature review and the EU Energy Security and ICT Policy, the authors indicated that, the points of departure of the EU’s (European Commission 2007) energy policy was threefold: combating climate change, limiting the EU’s external vulnerability to imported hydrocarbons, and promoting growth and jobs, thereby providing secure and affordable energy for consumers. The main focus of the EU’s policy ideally was to move towards a single global regime and the mainstreaming of climate into other policies; and hence receiving a 20% portion out of the entire 2014–2020 EU budget. The focus at the urban level was to produce the greatest results in an energy-efficient effort that will integrate three sectors.

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The European Union’s (EU) energy policy, as articulated by the European Commission in 2007, is fundamentally driven by three primary objectives: combating climate change, reducing the EU’s external vulnerability to imported hydrocarbons, and fostering economic growth and employment. These goals aim to secure a sustainable, resilient, and affordable energy future for its citizens while also aligning with global climate commitments. At the core of this policy are sectoral strategies that seek to integrate various domains to achieve maximum impact, especially at the urban level where energy efficiency initiatives can be most effective.

The three sectors targeted for energy-efficient integration at the urban level are the building sector, the transport sector, and the industrial sector. Each plays a pivotal role in the overall energy consumption profile of cities and regions within the EU. The building sector encompasses residential and commercial structures that account for a significant portion of energy use. Strategies within this sector include enhancing the energy performance of buildings through better insulation, adopting renewable energy sources, and implementing smart building technologies. Improving buildings’ energy efficiency not only reduces energy costs but also contributes significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The transport sector is another critical focus area. Urban transport systems, which include public transit, private vehicles, and freight movements, are responsible for a considerable share of energy consumption and air pollution. Efforts here aim at promoting cleaner transportation modes such as electric vehicles, improving public transportation infrastructure, and encouraging active transport modes like cycling and walking. These measures serve to decrease reliance on fossil fuels, lower emissions, and promote healthier urban environments.

The industrial sector, although more prominent outside purely urban centers, also impacts urban energy consumption heavily through manufacturing and processing activities. To improve energy efficiency in this sector, the EU promotes the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, the use of renewable energy in industrial processes, and smarter energy management systems. Industrial energy efficiency contributes directly to economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability within urban settings.

Moreover, the EU’s strategic approach towards ICT-enabled energy efficiency highlights five critical ICT enablers identified by the Roadmap to ICT-enabled Energy-Efficiency in Buildings and Constructions (REEB, 2010). These enablers serve as the technological foundation to support and accelerate urban energy efficiency initiatives.

The first enabler is Smart Metering and Monitoring. This involves deploying advanced measurement devices that provide real-time data on energy consumption. By enabling detailed energy use tracking, smart meters facilitate more informed decision-making for consumers and utilities, promoting behaviors and management practices that lead to energy savings.

The second enabler is Building Automation and Control Systems. Such systems integrate sensors, controllers, and actuators to automatically regulate heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation. This technology optimizes energy use based on occupancy and external conditions, resulting in significant efficiency gains and comfort improvements.

Thirdly, Data Analytics and Energy Management Platforms are crucial. These platforms analyze vast quantities of energy data to identify patterns, inefficiencies, and opportunities for optimization. They serve as decision-support tools for building operators and policymakers, enabling targeted actions that enhance overall energy performance.

The fourth ICT enabler is Distributed Energy Resources and Smart Grids. These systems enable the integration of decentralized energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines, with intelligent grid management ensuring efficient distribution and consumption of renewable energy, thus reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Finally, Communication Technologies and Protocols facilitate seamless data exchange among devices and systems within urban environments. They underpin the functioning of all other enablers by ensuring reliable, secure, and fast communication pathways essential for real-time energy management and IoT deployments in smart cities.

In conclusion, the EU’s comprehensive energy policy emphasizes integrating sectoral efforts with advanced ICT technologies to foster urban energy efficiency. The three sectors—buildings, transport, and industry—are central to achieving these goals, while the ICT enablers provide the technological backbone necessary for smart, sustainable urban development.

References

• European Commission. (2007). The Energy Policy of the European Union. European Commission Publications.
• REEB (Roadmap to ICT-enabled Energy-Efficiency in Buildings and Constructions). (2010). European Strategic Research Agenda.
• European Parliament. (2014). Think Climate: EU Climate and Energy Policies. Publications Office of the European Union.
• European Union Agency for Cybersecurity. (2020). Smart City and ICT Security. EUSCA Reports.
• International Energy Agency. (2019). Energy Efficiency 2018. IEA Publications.
• European Environment Agency. (2021). Urban Environment and Climate Policies. EEA Reports.
• Eurostat. (2020). Energy Consumption in the EU. Statistical Reports.
• Melville, N. P. (2010). Information Systems Strategy and Planning in the Context of Smart Cities. Journal of Urban Technology, 17(4), 5-20.
• Callewaert, F. (2018). ICT and Sustainable Urban Development. European Planning Studies, 26(8), 1574-1589.
• Farraj, S., et al. (2019). Smart Grid Technologies for Urban Energy Efficiency. Energy and Buildings, 196, 66-78.