Nachwachsende Rohstoffe - nova-Institut GmbH

Nr. 45 – September 2007
Nachwachsende Rohstoffe
National Energy Efficiency Action Plans
Pursuant to the EU Directive on energy end-use efficiency and energy services, Member
States must deliver national implementation plans in order to demonstrate compliance with
the Directive. These National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAPs) shall describe the
respective energy efficiency improvement (EEI) measures planned to reach the indicative
savings target of 9 percent and their estimated impacts.
The Directive specifies that the first NEEAP is due in mid 2007 the second and third one will
follow in 2011 and 2014. They shall include thorough analysis of the energy saving effects of
the so far implemented EEI measures.
The EMEEES project is to develop and provide to Member States a template and guide for
the NEEAPs, and to support the European Commission with advice on how to assess these
implementation plans with regard to attainment of the energy savings target.
Source: www.evaluate-energy-savings.eu/emeees/en/home/index.php
EU Directive:
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_114/l_11420060427en00640085.pdf
DOE Awards $375 Million for Three Bioenergy Research Centers
DOE announced that it will invest up to $375 million in three Bioenergy Research Centers in
Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Madison, Wisconsin and Berkeley, California. The centers will focus
on understanding how to reengineer biological processes to develop new methods for
converting the cellulose in plant material into ethanol or other biofuels that serve as a
substitute for gasoline. Future biofuels production will require the use of feedstocks more
diverse than corn, including cellulosic material like agricultural residues, grasses, poplar
trees, inedible plants, and non-edible portions of crops. The diverse teams of researchers at
the centers will hail from 18 of the nation's universities, seven DOE national laboratories, at
least one nonprofit organization, and a range of private companies. Work at the centers is
expected to begin in 2008, with full operations starting in 2009. DOE plans to fund the
centers for the first five years of operation.
See: www.energy.gov/news/5172.htm and http://genomicsgtl.energy.gov/centers
Task forces for biofuel standard harmonisation formed
Since biofuels is now becoming a global trading commodity, authorities in the USA and
Europe have felt the need for global harmonisation on the quality standards. Together with
Brazil, India, China and South Africa an International Biofuels Forum was set up in February.
To make biofuels a success, they agreed that joint standards were needed. Therefore, two
task forces with experts from Brazil, USA and Europe have been established. The aim is to
review existing documentary standards and identify areas where greater compatibility can be
achieved in the short and long term. A White Paper is to be submitted to the Brazilian,
European and US authorities by the end of 2007, a document that will form the basis of
further work at ISO level to establish global biofuel standards.
For further details: Mr. O. Costenoble of NEN Energy Resources at energy@nen.nl
www.biofuelities.eu/fileadmin/template/projects/biofuels/files/Biofuel_Specification_Standards_Global_
Harmonisation_Efforts.pdf
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