Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for Renewable ... - EGEC

8Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for Renewable Heating & CoolingResearch capacities and non-technological issuesFor biomass based residential heating and cooling, the influence of poorly trainedoperators can be reduced through improved operating manuals, operator trainingsand public campaigns. Knowledge and skills are frequent barriers for biomass growthparticularly in small applications. Certified training courses need to be developed for installersof residential biomass applications to guarantee high quality and goodperformance of installed systems. Such courses shall be in line with Article 14 ofthe European Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC (EU 2009b) which calls for the establishmentof certification schemes or qualification schemes for installers of small-scalebiomass boilers and stoves, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, shallow geothermalsystems and heat pumps 78 .Development and recognition at the European level of accreditation and certification schemesfor not only small-scale renewable energy installation professionals, but forall active staff of a RHC facility, including installation technicians, drillers, project designers,maintenance personnel, trainers and auditors, is a priority. In the building sector,the choice of heating and cooling supply technology is often given secondary priority by planners,builders and home owners. Either at small- or large-scale, the installation of hybridrenewable energy systems may require specialist knowledge and skills that arenot yet part of the training of architects, engineers, plumbers as well as energy and urbanplanners. An important priority is to ensure that building sector professionals are awareof the entire spectrum of heating and cooling solutions to make the best decisions basedon life-cycle cost and benefit analyses which take into account future energy prices andCO 2 emissions.RHC-related content needs to be incorporated into university, Technical and Vocational School(TVS) and postgraduate curricula. Incorporating RHC engineering or technology studies intoTVS curricula implies the identification of technical and vocational school diplomas that aremost similar to the type of work carried out during project development, installation andmaintenance work, as well as the design and implementation of a specialized post-graduatecourse for higher technical education students that may be interested in pursuing and developingtheir professional career in the field of renewable heating and cooling. RHC technologiesalso need to be incorporated into university curricula by imparting lectures in existingMaster’s and post-doctoral university programs and by the creation of one or severalspecific undergraduate or Master’s degrees. At the moment, there is almost no specificacademic training in District Heating and Cooling. It is the responsibility of the sector to ensurethat relevant knowledge is passed on to a new generation of engineers, but also to architects,planners, etc. The new generation should be ready to develop smarter cities presenting integratedsolutions using renewable energy. The development of specific Master Degrees(Geothermal, DHC…) would be an important step to ensure the long term sustainability of theEuropean energy system.8.3 Other non-technological issuesThe full transformation of the heating market towards renewable technologies needspolitical support, both to step up the replacement of old heating systems and to increase theuptake of renewable technologies in new and existing buildings. Technological progress, theremoval of fossil fuel subsidies and, in a second step, putting a price on CO 2 e.g. throughtaxation of fossil energy carriers, can help to create a level playing field and make RHCtechnologies cost competitive with fossil fuels. In the meantime, this process can be facilitatedby implementing financial support schemes (direct subsidies, tax reductions, etc.) andbuilding regulations requiring the installation of renewable technologies. In any case, policiesmust aim at providing a stable and reliable framework in order to increase confidence forinvestors´ and end-users.Simplification and harmonisation of the administrative procedures and costs related torenewable energy projects at European level is crucial in order to promote RHC installationsin buildings. Energy supply applications should be selected taking into consideration theprimary energy factor as well as final energy. Positive and effective communication of theRHC benefits at societal and environmental level, is also important to the sector’s growth.78Those schemes may takeinto account existing schemesand structures as appropriate.There are also a numberof training and educationalprojects at the internationallevel (EU-CERT.HP,QUALICERT, GEOTRAINET,Install + RES), whichundoubtedly serve asa reference to this regard.80