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PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

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1.1 <strong>Energy</strong> use in dwellingsThe domestic sector accounts for a considerable portion <strong>of</strong> the final energyconsumption <strong>of</strong> most developed countries. Within the European Union (EU),approximately 25% <strong>of</strong> the total annual final energy consumption is used in dwellings[1]. A precise breakdown <strong>of</strong> how this energy is consumed on a country by countrybasis is difficult to ascertain, especially considering that such a breakdown is highlydependent on factors such as climate, technology used and other conditions whichare variable from country to country [2]. However, an approximate breakdown isgiven by the European Environmental Agency (EEA) in [3], which indicates that asubstantial amount <strong>of</strong> this energy, about 69%, goes into space heating with theremaining balance accounted for by water heating (15%), providing electricity forappliances and lighting equipment (11%) and cooking activities (5%). In warmclimates such as that present in southern European countries, space cooling is thepredominant load [4]. Ensuring the efficient provision and use <strong>of</strong> energy in dwellingsis therefore an essential aspect in attaining the overall 20% improvement in energyefficiencytarget set out by the Presidency Conclusions <strong>of</strong> the European Council [5]for 2020.1.1.1 Current measures aimed at improving the energy-efficiency in buildingsGovernments and organisations worldwide have realised the potential benefits inreducing domestic energy demands and have implemented various measures to aid inreducing residential energy demand. The measures can be typically grouped into:Measures aimed at reducing energy demand by increasing efficiency; andMeasures aimed at <strong>of</strong>fsetting fossil-fuel sourced energy through the use <strong>of</strong>renewable energy sources, including solar water heating, photovoltaic andmicro-wind systems.Measures aimed at reducing energy demand typically rely on improving the wayenergy is used. Directive 2002/91/EC on the <strong>Energy</strong> Performance <strong>of</strong> Buildings(EPBD) [6], considered to be the main tool in promoting energy-efficiency in2

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