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7/16/2021

  • Sustainability
  • Top stories

How we’re helping the EU get ‘Fit for 55’  

The European Commission this week unveiled an ambitious package of climate change legislation, designed to slash the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030.  

Accelerating the EU towards a goal to become climate neutral by 2050, the Commission announced 12 legal proposals under the banner ‘Fit for 55’. Although the draft legislation still needs to be approved by EU member states, Fit for 55 presents a comprehensive roadmap for meeting the EU’s climate objectives.  
 
With 36% of carbon emissions coming from heating, domestic hot water and air conditioning, our industry has a responsibility to help achieve these urgent targets. BDR Thermea’s ‘Change with Energy’ strategy is fully focused on achieving this target.
 
To help achieve 55% lower CO2 emissions by 2030, we at BDR Thermea Group have developed a set of market-ready green heating technologies. Fit for 55 will accelerate the rollout of these solutions, allowing end-users to enjoy comfort in their homes and workplace while reducing their carbon footprint. 
 
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Heat pumps and hybrids

New, well insulated buildings can easily be fitted with the latest technology, such as heat pumps. BDR Thermea has been developing heat pumps since the mid-1980s, and we are investing heavily in this promising technology, which enables people to reduce energy costs by up to 30% and to save up to 100% of carbon emissions if the electricity used comes from renewable sources. This can be combined with district heating systems for complete neighbourhoods. 

Existing buildings are diverse, and so are their heating and cooling needs. For houses built to lower specifications, a hybrid configuration, combining a heat pump with a modern gas boiler, is often the best solution. It helps to reduce a building’s carbon footprint by up to 70%.   

Faster replacement of old systems 

To drive down emissions at the pace needed by Fit for 55, we need to get lower-emission technologies into buildings. That’s why faster replacement of old and inefficient heating systems should be an essential part of the Commission’s plan.  

Although these legacy systems represent 60% of the building sector’s heating and are responsible for most of its CO2 emissions, only 4% of them are replaced each year. The target is now to raise this to at least 6% per year. Achieving this will require a multiple energy solution approach.
RD testing 100per cent hydrogen boiler

Getting ready for hydrogen 

Fit for 55 calls for renewables to produce 40% of the EU’s energy by 2030, up from a previous target of 32%. Seasonal demand for heating will put pressure on the power grid, especially considering the large number of electric cars that will be in use by then. Gas has great advantages here: it is easy to store and the gas distribution grid is highly flexibile. And using hydrogen can help decarbonise gas boilers.

Today, modern high efficiency boilers from BDR Thermea can already run on up to 20% admixture of hydrogen. We presented 100%-ready boilers in 2019 and have tested these in field trials and pilots in the Netherlands, the UK and France.

 

BDR Thermea is planning to launch 100% hydrogen-ready boilers in the market no later than 2023. These will help builders and homeowners ensure they are ready to switch to clean hydrogen as soon as it becomes available

 

We’re in this together

Ultimately, we recognise that the energy transition is a multi-faceted challenge that demands innovation by all parts of the industry, from generation and distribution to storage and heating equipment. Making it a reality requires everyone in the industry to collaborate and play their role.

 

This includes training installers so they know how to install these innovative new products, andcan support homeowners and other users in their deployment and with practical advice, including helping them to apply for subsidies. In this way, we can support the broadest possible take-up of sustainable heating solutions and ensure we bring the everyone in society on the journey.

  

In short, BDR Thermea is at the forefront to deliver the technologies and is working with partners to make Europe climate neutral by 2050 - if not earlier.

What does Fit for 55 mean for the heating sector?

The package of legislation contained in Fit for 55 contains three major initiatives of direct interest to the heating industry: the Renewable Energy Directive, the Energy Efficiency Directive and the review of the EU Emissions Trading System. 

Renewable Energy Directive

• Fit for 55 calls for renewables to produce 40% of the EU’s energy by 2030. The previous target was 32%. The current share (2019) is 19.7%.
• Annual binding increase of 1.1 percentage points for use of renewables in heating and cooling at national level.
• New benchmark to reach at least 49% renewable share in the energy used in buildings.

Energy Efficiency Directive 

• The Commission proposes to increase energy savings targets at EU level and make them binding, to achieve an overall reduction of 36-39% by 2030. This is an increase from the current target of 32.5%. 
• Increased annual energy saving obligations for all Member States of 1.5%.
• Requirement for all EU member states to renovate at least 3% of the total floor area of all public buildings annually.
• Requirement for each member state to ensure 1.7% of energy savings per year in the public sector.
• Concrete measures to alleviate energy poverty and boost consumer empowerment. 

EU Emissions Trading System

• The new package calls for a separate emissions trading system for building and transport fuels. 
• Revenues shall be used to help fund the energy transition in lower GDP member states.
• Support measures to promote energy efficiency in vulnerable households.

 
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© BDR Thermea Group 2020

© BDR Thermea Group 2020