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

Chapter 12: The Environment and Energy A number of schemes are designed to address social and economic issues, and their removal would be problematic for equity and social justice reasons. However, the scale of these subsidies suggests that options to orientate the schemes to address underlying issues such as energy poverty as a result of poor construction and to promote non-fossil solutions are considerable. This could be strategically managed to ensure that long-term benefits and savings are accrued. There is a focus on retrofitting social housing, which could advance the development and wider deployment of these solutions. Ensuring that subsidies for energy are both socially and environmentally progressive should be part of this process. This can be envisaged as part of the ‘just transition’. This is discussed in Chapter 2: Climate Change. This would include transition to energy-efficient homes that use renewable energy. Investment to support the development and deployment of renewables in 2018 amounted to €383 million, mainly as a result of the Public Service Obligation supports for renewable energy generation, which were in the order of €375 million. Energy Information Clearer information can assist consumers on their energy choices and their implications. Energy use is central to our lives but largely goes unnoticed and unquantified. Energy information is often obscure and difficult to include in decision-making. Making information about energy use, as well as information about energy options and solutions, more accessible will assist consumers to make choices around energy. This can be enhanced by the inclusion of associated environmental impacts, information on investment portfolios and media price reporting on energy production (Figure 12.7). This can enable and promote positive actions around energy management, investment choices and supporting prosumers who wish to support clean energy options. Steps in this process would include: n using standard units for energy to enable the energy use to be more easily estimated at a range of timescales n linking energy ratings to energy use and switching between energy choices n providing information on the carbon content and other emissions associated with the energy commodity being produced, traded or used n enabling transparency around fiscal incentives, or deterrents, and their impacts. Figure 12.7  How long does it take to use 1kW (1000W)? (Source: adapted from Electric Ireland, www.electricireland.ie) Instant Electric Shower 6 minutes Cooker 30 minutes Dishwasher 60 minutes LED TV 8 hours Broadband router 5 days Immersion water heater 20 minutes Kettle 45 minutes Fridge Freezer 3 hours Laptop All day LED light bulb 5 days How long does it take to use 1kW? (1000W) A kilowatt-hour is a standard unit of electricity and is the amount of energy or joules used in an hour 319