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SERVING the nation – applying lessons from SERVE CONCERTO project to Ireland

Panel: 3. Local action and national examples

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Seamus Hoyne, Limerick Institute of Technology, Ireland
Paul Kenny, Tipperary Energy Agency, Ireland

Abstract

In 2008, Irish Government policy in Ireland began to focus on retrofitting of existing dwellings, due to the economic crisis, and the need to meet relevant energy targets under the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan. Since 2007, the European SERVE (Sustainable Energy for the Rural Village Environment) project has challenged the standards and policies in place nationally in relation to retrofitting. This was achieved through a targeted support programme which incentivised deeper retrofitting actions.

The paper highlights the significant benefits of implementing local demonstration projects, the results of which can be utilised to influence local and national policy. It reviews the results of the SERVE project in the context of building retrofitting, wood biomass development and energy monitoring.

In relation to building retrofitting, savings of 8,000kWh/dwelling with returns on investment of 11% (for an average investment of €7,600 per dwelling) were achieved. Current National retrofitting policy targets will not achieve the proposed 2020 targets unless savings similar to that achieved under SERVE are implemented.

The penetration of wood biomass was a key component of the SERVE project. New procedures for procurement, operation and maintenance of biomass heating systems have resulted in additional capacity being installed outside the SERVE region. These template contracts are being utilised to support the development of National energy supply contract (ESCO) models.

The results of the SERVE monitoring activities (energy data and economic impacts) are feeding into National data sets and policy development. SERVE partners have demonstrated that monitored energy performance of dwellings is 13% lower than that predicted by the National Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP). Recommendations are being made in key areas (e.g. energy performance of condensing boilers) and the expansion of monitoring study into a longitudinal study.

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