This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Industry opinion

Electrical future

Carbon-reduction targets offer new opportunities – and

a new-look future – for the European electrical industry, says AIE secretary general Evelyne Schellekens

I

n Europe we are using more and more energy. Energy prices in the European Union have increased rapidly within the last few years, and at least 54 per cent of Europe’s energy is imported – at a cost of €700 for

every EU citizen. The direct use of electricity in buildings, industry and transport accounts for up to 23 per cent of the EU’s total energy consumption. Buildings account for 41 per cent of energy demand, of which more than 27 per cent is in the form of electricity. Business as usual is, therefore, not an option for Europe if we want a sustainable future. The 20-20-20 targets by 2020 are Europe’s main

response to these concerns: reducing energy consumption by 20 per cent, saving energy by 20 per cent by implementing energy-effi cient technologies, and increasing and stimulating greater use of renewable energy sources by 20 per cent. This will also help guarantee secure energy supplies, while reducing Europe’s energy-import dependency.

Opportunities

Representing about 175,000 electrical contractor companies in around 20 European countries, the European Association of Electrical Contractors (AIE) is convinced of the huge business opportunities for electrical contractors resulting from the EU’s energy policy – and innovative technological developments. The electrical contractor will play a very important role as

customer on their real-time energy consumption – and cost. This will then enhance end-user awareness and encourage users to accept changes in behaviour. Renovation of the existing housing stock and the needs of

an ageing society offer great potential for energy effi ciency and savings, while at the same time improving quality of life. Existing buildings offer the most scope. More than 70 per cent of European housing stock is more than 30 years old, and 20 per cent of the population in Europe will be over 65 by 2020. Unless buildings are properly adapted, maintained and renovated, their technical installations become progressively less suited to the standards of functionality, security and safety required by an ageing society. The AIE’s message is: adapt the building to the evolving needs and lifestyle of its occupants through the different stages of their life, by switching to more energy effi cient smart systems and appliances.

Business as usual is, therefore, not an option for Europe if we want a sustainable future

fi rst-line energy adviser to the client and market player when it comes to installing new energy-effi cient and intelligent technologies, such as intelligent lighting systems, building active control systems and smart metering, integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) systems and renewable technologies. Both buildings and electrical energy-effi ciency measures have been identifi ed by the EU as having a crucial role, offering signifi cant potential for savings – ranging from 25-30 per cent up to 2020. ICT can play a signifi cant role to enable energy effi ciency

in buildings. Member states will soon be obliged to introduce intelligent metering systems, and to recommend installation of active control and monitoring systems. Also, householders are increasingly demanding to know their real-time energy consumption. ICTs and smart meters can signifi cantly increase energy effi ciency by informing the

Future change

Despite the development of intelligent systems connected to smart appliances, the integration of renewable energy sources and new technologies for smart buildings/cities/grids and so on, the safety and modernity of existing electrical installations remains an issue. The EC

recognises the need to assess how to improve the safety of electrical installations in buildings, while at the same time increasing their energy effi ciency and enabling safe integration of renewable energy sources and new services, such as the charging of electric vehicles. Last but not least, all these developments will go hand-

About the author

Evelyne

Schellekens

Evelyne Schellekens is secretary general of the European Association of Electrical Contractors (AIE). For more information, visit www.aie.eu

in-hand with a drastic transformation of electricity networks. The current electricity grids in Europe will have to be able to become ‘active and intelligent networks’ – smart grids, allowing bi-directional information fl ow. But while there is a drive for products to be more energy

efficient, electricity consumption is still increasing. As traditional energy sources run out, alternative electrically driven applications will increase – for both energy effi ciency and environmental reasons. That’s good news for electrical contractors who will have to adopt a dynamic approach, proposing innovative solutions for customers, while keeping up with constant technological developments.

Summer 2010 ECA Today 15 Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68