EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Chapter 12: The Environment and Energy Energy Efficiency Increasing energy efficiency has many benefits, including long-term savings, but barriers include financial obstacles and these need to be addressed to enable the uptake of energy-efficient solutions. The lower energy use in 2018 relative to 2008 seen in Figure 12.1, which is also evident in residential energy use, can in part be attributed to a reduction in energy waste through energy efficiency measures. Figure 12.5 shows how simple energy rating labelling can inform consumer choices and reduce energy waste. Reducing and, where feasible, eliminating energy waste by increasing energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce energy demand (see Figure 12.5). It is exemplified by the uptake of efficient lighting systems in the public and private sector. This has resulted in the removal of highly inefficient lights and their replacement with light-emitting diode (LED) lighting systems, which can use 80 per cent less energy. Energy ratings on appliances and tools have also been a factor in reducing energy demand. The BERs for houses and buildings increase awareness of energy use and of the benefits and savings that accrue from energy efficiency and investments. This trend in increasing energy labelling is also increasing consumer awareness but there are barriers to consumer uptake. Energy-efficient choices tend to require significant upfront investment, with savings occurring over time. Approaches to address these issues are needed, including the provision of financial and fiscal instruments that enable or advance the efficiency transition (e.g. linking loans and mortgages for energy- efficient choices/investment or linking taxation/value- added tax to efficiency ratings). Figure 12.5  The A-G energy label (Source: SEAI 9 ) 12345 Understan ing the labelling on Lightbulbs A ++ A + A B C D E kWh/1000h Y IJA IE IA A ++ Brand name ABC 12345 4 As a retailer, you are not obliged to display the energy lab l for a light bulb (also referred to as a lamp); the man facturer must provid the label n the packaging. However, you must ensure that any bulb that you offer for sale bears an energy label. Coloured and black and white labels are acceptable for lightbulbs. 4 kWh/ 1000h SEAI Be Label Aware 24 RESPONSIBILITIES PRODUCTS UNDERSTANDING THE LABEL 9 https://www.seai.ie/home-energy/energy-labelling-and-ecodesign/ energy-labelling/ Losses in electricity generation, transmission and processing made up about 50 per cent of the total energy consumed in electricity generation, meaning that approximately 50 per cent of the original energy used to generate electricity was available for use by consumers. The use of renewable energy reduces or eliminates generation losses, which are significant for combustion- related generation. Reducing these losses also contributes to meeting energy targets and decarbonisation. Overall, reducing the loss and waste of energy has multiple benefits for the climate and human health and wellbeing. Renewable Energy and Wind Energy Wind, bioenergy and solar energy can provide additional opportunities for Irish businesses and consumers. Ireland has excellent indigenous renewable energy resources, and renewable energy is playing an increasing role in the domestic energy supply (SEAI, 2019b). Ireland has more onshore (land-based) and offshore energy potential than most other European countries. In 2019 wind power is estimated to have provided 31.5 per cent of electricity in Ireland. Currently, there is 12 GW worth of energy from offshore wind in active development. This will significantly add to the current renewable generation capacity of over 3.7 GW, almost all of which is onshore. This has resulted in reduced costs for consumers and reduced imports of fossil energy. For more on the offshore wind sector see Topic Box 12.3. 315