1st Edition

Renewable Energy for Residential Heating and Cooling Policy Handbook

By Iea-Retd Copyright 2011

    Heating and cooling represent significant energy loads around the world, with the associated high level of carbon emissions. Many countries have commitments in place to derive an increasing proportion of the energy they use for heating and cooling from renewable sources; some are seeing greater success than others in moving towards these targets.

    This best practices handbook from the International Energy Agency's Renewable Energy Technology Deployment (RETD) Implementing Agreement provides energy policymakers and professionals in the renewable energy industry with a practical, easy to use guide and toolkit to the most effective policy options for deploying renewable energy for heating and cooling in the residential sector.

    The book opens with a comparative review of renewable energy for heating and cooling policies in a broad range of IEA member countries in Europe, Asia and North America and then goes on to present the policy approaches of the individual countries and more detailed studies of specific programmes. The second part of the book presents readers with flowcharts which allow them to navigate directly to the best practices which are most relevant to their situation. Planning, design and implementation are all covered, each with examination of the possible barriers that may be faced and the most appropriate policy response used to date.

    pUlished with IEA-RETD.

    1. Introduction  2. Review of Country Experience  3. Review of Programs  4. Best Practices  5. Conclusions and Recommendations  Appendix A: Glossary  Appendix B: Country Summaries  Appendix C: Program Selection  Appendix D: Program Case Studies  Appendix E: Best Practices Guide

    Biography

    This study was conducted by Marbek Resource Consultants and WIP Renewable Energy under the auspices of the Renewable Energy Technology Deployment (RETD) Implementing Agreement. The RETD is one of the implementing agreements on renewable energy created under the framework of the International Energy Agency (IEA), and aims to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy through international cooperation.

    'Historically, finding sound, comprehensive information on policies supporting renewable heating and cooling has been a challenge. This book fills an important knowledge gap by clearly outlining best practices for a sector that is critical to increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix.' Kristin M. Seyboth, Senior Scientist, IPCC WG III Technical Support Unit, Germany 'Solar, biomass and geothermal resources already provide heating and cooling for single and multi-family dwellings. This book provides clear guidelines for both national and local policymakers wishing to tap the huge potential by encouraging further cost effective deployment.' Professor Ralph Sims, Massey University, New Zealand 'A wealth of information on best practices from real programs. A must read for those developing new programs to encourage the increased deployment of renewables, particularly solar thermal.' Doug McClenahan, former Chairman of the IEA's Solar Heating & Cooling Programme, Canada