Publications

Principles for nearly Zero-Energy Buildings

The European Union aims at drastic reductions in domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 80% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. The building stock is responsible for a major share of GHG emissions and should achieve even higher reductions.

The...

Use of heat pumps to provide flexibility to power systems

In this project for the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, we assessed the potential for flexibility that a building stock equipped with heat pumps can offer to power systems with significant penetration of wind power.  The thermal...

EU Climate Policy Tracker

The EU Climate Policy Tracker (EU CPT) presents up-to-date developments in climate and energy policies in the EU-27. Although government policy is the single most influential driver behind the fight against climate change, there is limited information about...

RE-Shaping: Towards triple-A policies - More renewable energy at lower cost

Support policy cost for renewable electricity projects can be reduced by about 10% or €4billion/year in the EU and up to 50% for specific Member States and technologies. This can be done while improving the investment climate for project developers...

Climate Action Tracker - Country Report Australia

Australia’s latest climate legislation is a substantial step in the right direction, but is still not stringent enough to help the world keep global warming to below 2°C, according to this report by Climate Analytics and Ecofys.

The 150-page...

Annual Status Report on NAMAs

Ecofys, the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), and the Centre for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) issued the first Annual Status Report on Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs).

Since the birth of the NAMA concept back in Bali...

UNEP Bridging the Emissions Gap

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the European Climate Foundation (ECF) commissioned Ecofys to coordinate the delivery of its 2011 ‘Bridging the Emissions Gap’ report. As a follow-up to 2010 Emissions Gap Report, its objective...

Germany's path towards nearly zero-energy buildings

In 2010 the European Union adopted a Directive stipulating that by the end of 2020 Member States must ensure that all newly-constructed buildings consume ‘nearly zero’ energy. In Germany, drastic reductions of energy demand for space heating...

RE-SHAPING report on performance of renewable energy support policies in the EU-27

The report describes the status of renewable energy deployment in the EU and the efficiency and effectiveness of support policies applied by the Member States based on a series of indicators. Some of these indicators were already used by the European Commission...

Rural Energy in the EU

This report, commissioned by the FREE initiative (Future of Rural Energy in Europe), provides a wealth of information on energy demand in a variety of economic sectors in some of the...

Retrofitting of PV systems to solve 50.2 Hz problem

A study made by Ecofys and IFK on behalf of the FNN/VDE recommends the retrofitting of some solar power systems to solve the so-called 50.2-hertz problem. Until the introduction of a temporary arrangement in April 2011, generators connected to the low-voltage...

Updated comparison of fossil power efficiency and CO₂ intensity

This study is an update of the analysis “International comparison of fossil power generation and CO₂ intensity”. The purpose of this study on behalf of the Mitsubishi Research Centre is to compare the energy efficiency and CO₂-intensity...

European airlines enter the biofuels market

Airlines are driven to find low carbon performance options. Biofuels are key to improve that low carbon performance. Airlines therefore accelerate their investigations in biofuels. In the biofuels market they are however a late entrant. This report shows...

Cost optimal building performance requirements

The report "Cost optimal building performance requirements – Calculation methodology for reporting on national energy performance requirements on the basis of cost optimality within the framework of the EPBD" is intended to bring an important new...

Consistency of policy instruments.

The report provides options for how to achieve a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, in the EU, from 1990 to 2020. The EU has agreed a set of goals (objectives) and related instruments for 2020.

The most significant objectives are the...

State of the Offshore Wind Industry in Northern Europe

The past decade has seen the realisation of the first large-scale commercial offshore wind farms. As of 2010, 3 GW of installed capacity has been commissioned and numerous lessons have been learnt; however the true growth of the industry still lies ahead....

Rare Metals and Renewables

The global demand for a wide range of rare metals is roaring. Applications such as LCD’s, LEDs and semi-conductors for example require gallium and indium, while solar photovoltaic and wind power also require rare metals. In an article first published...

International climate financing

This paper by Ecofys and GtripleC examines potential sources of revenues and analyses, which instruments are most compatible with these sources and the climate objectives. Ultimately, the paper provides suggestions for progress in international climate...

The Energy Report

The Energy Report presents a possible transition to a global, sustainable energy system. The two-part report contains a detailed analysis and scenario created by Ecofys, and a narrative by WWF. It addresses the fundamental question: “Is...

Economic aspects of deep renovation for EURIMA

Deep renovation results in an 80-90% reduction in CO₂ emissions. Based on real data from ambitious projects within the DENA (German Energy Agency) "Niedrigenergiehaus im Bestand" project (low energy building stock), we applied the findings to the economic...

Co-benefits of private investment in climate change

For the UK Department for International Development (DFID), Ecofys has prepared a report highlighting the co-benefits that developing countries may gain from private sector finance for climate change mitigation and adaptation. These benefits include, amongst...

WWF Climate Policy Tracker Report

During 2010, Ecofys executed the first version of the Climate Policy Tracker for the European Union in collaboration with WWF. The aim of this European Climate Foundation sponsored project is to rate EU member states’ climate policies against the...

Electricity conservation

Electricity consumption in the Netherlands is increasing strongly and is responsible for almost a quarter of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Households, the service sector and industry each consume a considerable amount. This has to change...

International bioenergy trade

World production in liquid biofuels grew exponentially within the past decade. This article reviews past developments to enhance the knowledge about the interaction of policy and market factors in order to help limit these risks.

The analysis...

Cost Optimality.

The European Commission has introduced requirements to set energy performance standards for buildings through the 2002 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) but did not give guidance on the desired ambition level. The recast of the EPBD in 2010...

WWF Climate Policy Tracker

During 2010, Ecofys executed the first version of the Climate Policy Tracker for the European Union in collaboration with WWF. The aim of this European Climate Foundation sponsored project is to rate EU member states’ climate policies against the...

Responsible Cultivation Areas

Although considerable efforts have already been made in the European Union to ensure a sustainable supply of bioenergy, the challenge of indirect land use change remains. The ’Responsible Cultivation Area [RCA] methodology’ offers practical...

International comparison of fossil power efficiency and CO₂ intensity

The purpose of this study is to compare the energy efficiency and CO₂-intensity of fossil-fired power generation for fourteen countries, including China, India, and United States. This is done by calculating separate benchmark indicators for the energy...

Energy Savings 2020

Europe needs to triple the impact of its energy efficiency policies to achieve its 2020 targets set last year, according to a new study written by Ecofys and the Fraunhofer ISI. The study reveals that the potential exists to reach the 20% energy saving...

Update on global SF6 emissions trends from electrical equipment – Edition 1.1.

The Emission Scenario Initiative on Sulphur Hexafluoride for Electric Industry aims to provide scenarios for the short and long-term SF6 emissions from high and medium voltage electrical equipment at the global level. It shows emission scenarios for the...

All Island TSO Facilitation of Renewables Studies

The Republic of Ireland has set a binding electricity target of 40% from renewable resources by 2020 [Government of Ireland (2008)] [ENVIRON (2008)]. Northern Ireland is currently considering setting a similarly challenging policy target. Windpower will...

Engaging the Private Sector in the Potential Generation of REDD+ Carbon Credits

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation is a prominent agenda item within the international climate change negotiations. It is also significant in many domestic discussions on climate change and mitigation.

Some of the issues...

Renewable Energy Sources Act 2009

Final report on a consultation project commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety

The amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) requires that the connection of newly installed...

Evaluation of the Copenhagen Accord

The Copenhagen Accord has proven beneficial to the efforts of achieving the target of limiting global warming to two degrees Celsius. Since the climate conference was held, countries have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. These pledges could...

Copenhagen Accord pledges are paltry

Current national emissions targets can’t limit global warming to 2 °C,  a group of scientists, among them Ecofys director Niklas Hoehne, write Nature— they might even lock the world into exceeding 3 °C warming…...

Sharing emission reductions

According to the Bali Action Plan from 2007, a new international climate agreement for the time after 2012 is to be developed. This agreement aims to include concrete new targets and actions for emission mitigation and support for sustainable development....

Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions

In the international climate negotiations up to Copenhagen in December 2009 “nationally appropriate mitigation actions” (NAMAs) was used as an acronym as the solution of many open issues and with very different interpretations on what the term...

Emission reduction proposals by emerging economies

The participation of emerging economies is one of the major items of discussion on a future international climate regime. Action is called for and more and more emerging economies make plans and pledges for future emission reduction, in particular around...

Assessment Dutch National Inventory Report (NIR)

SenterNovem commissioned Ecofys to assist it in setting up an approach to do so and to provide guidance. In cooperation with SenterNovem, Ecofys organized two workshops for respectively the Common Reporting Format (CRF) sectors ‘energy’ (with...

EU Emissions Trading for NOx and SO2?

Industrial emissions of NOx and SO2 in the EU have dropped substantially since the mid 1990s. Against this background, the European Commission is investigating the idea of introducing an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for NOx and SO2 that could potentially...

Quantification of the effects on greenhouse gas emissions of policies and measures

At the European level a comprehensive package of policy measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has been initiated through the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP). The goal of the ECCP is to identify and develop all the necessary elements...

Factors underpinning future action - update 2009

For the UK Department of Energy and Climate (DECC) Ecofys prepared a series of country factsheets. The factsheets include greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, sectoral trends, emission reduction costs and climate policies for 61 countries as well as Annex...

Possible future reduction targets for the EU

This report provides background information that is relevant to assessing the ambition levels of the major countries involved in the current international climate negotiations. The EU’s performance is assessed in detail, including the anticipated...

Greenhouse gas emission reduction

The report for the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) calculates comparable reduction efforts according to fundamentally different effort-sharing approaches for the individual Annex I countries. This report updates an earlier study on comparable...

Role and potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency for global energy supply

The analysis of different global energy scenarios in part I of the report confirms that the exploitation of energy efficiency potentials and the use of renewable energies play a key role in reaching global CO₂ reduction targets.

In part II an...

Analysis of impacts of climate change policies on energy security

This study is focused on the interaction between achieving a sustainable energy system and improving energy security. It developed a methodology that identifies and quantitatively assesses the impacts of climate change policies on energy security. This...

Energy-policy Framework Conditions for Electricity Markets and Renewable Energies

For the German agency for development cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit - GTZ) Ecofys compiled country analyses on energy-policy framework conditions for electricity markets and renewable energies in 16 developing countries....

Blueprint for emission allowance allocation methodology

On assignment from the European Commission, Ecofys has developed a methodology for allocating emission allowances during the third trading phase of the EU Emission Trading Scheme. The associated study provides the European Commission with important input,...

Summary of approaches to accounting for the indirect impacts of biofuels production

For the Round table on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB), Ecofys provided an overview of the current state of knowledge on the indirect effects of biofuels production. At Ecofys we analysed initiatives that quantify these impacts as well as those that account...

Solutions through Synergies

In the international climate negotiations leading up to a Copenhagen agreement, different topics are often discussed separately and with specialized experts. This implies that synergies between concepts are sometimes not identified.

Two issues...

Ambitious emission reductions cost-neutral for the EU

Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU27 can be reduced to 30% below 1990 levels by 2020 and to 45% lower by 2030. The way to achieve this potential is to replace all energy-related equipment in the EU at the end of its economic life with energy-efficient and...

Emission pathways towards 2°C

Ecofys has written a paper about climate change and emissions reduction. The paper has been submitted to the Major Economies Forum, the convention of the of the world’s largest economies. The Forum is presently discussing global climate change policies...

Sharing the effort under a global carbon budget

The report concludes with a global cumulative GHG emission cap for the period from 2010 till 2050. It outlines mid-term and long-term cumulative emission allowances for key countries under the three equity approaches and trajectories for these countries...

G8 Climate Scorecards

The report concludes with a global cumulative GHG emission cap for the period from 2010 till 2050. It outlines mid-term and long-term cumulative emission allowances for key countries under the three equity approaches and trajectories for these countries...

The GHG performance of Jatropha biodiesel

Jatropha is a promising biofuel crop that could save a significant volume of GHG emissions compared to fossil fuels. At Ecofys we assessed the Jatropha biodiesel produced by D1 Oils and BP in terms of greenhouse gas performance. We used methodologies that...

EU climate policy impact in 2020

An economic recession of two years or longer will considerably decrease the effectiveness of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in stimulating low-carbon technologies. In order to meet EU climate targets in the longer term, new governmental policies will...

Algae-based biofuels

Algae have recently received a lot of attention as a new biomass source for the production of renewable energy. Some of the main characteristics which set algae apart from other biomass sources are that algae (can) have a high biomass yield per unit of...

Growth of renewables positive for economy and jobs

The Employ-RES study is the first study to assess the economic effects of supporting renewable energy production in the EU in this detail. The study not only looks at jobs in the RES sector itself, but also takes into account its impact on other sectors...

Economic/Climate Recovery Scorecards

As global leaders head to the G20 summit to consider solutions to the current global economic crisis, a new report prepared by Ecofys and Germanwatch for WWF and E3G reveals that many of the economic recovery packages being discussed are a missed opportunity...

All island renewable grid study updated to include demand side management

Ecofys was assigned to perform the update of the All Island Grid Study in order to include a detailed cost benefit analysis focused on the impacts of Demand Side Management (DSM) measures in the context of 2020 scenarios with high penetrations of renewable...

Collection of statistical information on Green Public Procurement in the EU

In 2006 the European Council announced its ambition to bring the average level of Green Public Procurement (GPP) in Europe up to the standards currently achieved by the best performing Member States. In preparation for this ambition set for 2010, a methodology...

High emission reductions are necessary

This study analyses the possible approaches to greenhouse gas abatement by industrialised (Annex I) countries, to calculate their comparability. The reduction targets for Annex I countries and the abatement costs of achieving these different aggregated...

Major renovation

In a report for the European Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ECEEE), Ecofys examined the effect of using different definitions of major renovation in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The report concludes that the planned threshold...

Emission from industrial processes

For SenterNovem (now AgencyNL) we reviewed parts of the 2009 Dutch National Inventory Report of greenhouse gas emissions. The reviewed sections covered energy emissions and industrial process emissions. The project was commissioned in accordance with the...

Developing benchmarking criteria for CO₂ emissions

Together with Fraunhofer ISI, Ecofys has proposed to the European Commission a set of principles that could underpin the design of benchmarks for installations that will receive free allocations in phase 3 of the EU Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS). These...

Energy savings and CO₂ reduction

In commission of SenterNovem and eight manufacturers, Ecofys studied the energy savings and CO₂ reduction potential of air/water heat pumps in existing Dutch residential buildings. This report shows that the heat pump performs almost double as good as the...

Reduce financing costs in renewable energy

This report concerns the role of policies and policy instrument design in reducing the financing cost of renewable energy technology projects. The following points are analyzed: the key elements of successful policy schemes, the conditions that should be...

Offshore wind generation in the Dutch waters: 'Kabel op Zee'

Ecofys was assigned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands to perform an assessment of spatial, technical, financial and regulative aspects affecting the development of offshore wind generation in the Dutch waters. The assessment reflects...

Scenarios on the introduction of CO₂ emission performance standards for the EU power sector

In this paper, the introduction of Emission Performance Standards (EPS) as a means for additional emission reductions in the European power sector was assessed. EPS in the power sector can already be found in California, USA, since 2007 as well as in the...

Global Status Report on Energy Efficiency

This REEEP report gives a brief and comprehensive overview of the status of energy efficiency in buildings, industry, transport and agriculture. It focuses on the G8 and +5 countries and is presented on the COP14. With this report REEEP intends to make...

Exploring comparable post-2012 reduction efforts

The study assesses different approaches to turn emission reducing efforts of different countries (Annex I) comparable. The emission reducing targets and costs are very different for the Annex I countries. In order to achieve the EU climate target of 2°C...

Factors underpinning future action - update 2008

For the UK Department of Energy and Climate Ecofys prepared country factsheets. The factsheets include greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, sectoral trends, emission reduction costs and climate policies for 61 countries. These new data are valuable references...

Distribution of emission allowances

Ecofys compares required emission reduction under the Greenhouse Development Rights approach (GDRs, developed by EcoEquity) with other methods to share emission allowances proposed for an international climate agreement post 2012. This particular approach...

Proposals for contributions of emerging economies

This study by Ecofys and Wuppertal Institut provides reference emissions and three mitigation scenarios (no-regret, co-benefit and ambitious) for Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea until 2020. It makes an illustrative proposal of...

Global low energy demand scenarios - [R]evolution 2008

In this study energy demand scenarios are developed for the update of the Greenpeace Energy [R]evolution scenario. The energy demand scenarios cover energy demand in the period 2005-2050 for ten world regions. Two low energy demand scenarios for energy-efficiency...

Solar Power 2008

The global market for solar energy has grown spectacularly in recent years. The costs of solar energy are falling steadily and we are getting ever closer to achieving grid parity. Investments in the solar energy industry are also substantial and production...

A low carbon vision for Greece in 2050

This study defines a low carbon vision for Greece in 2050, where greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by 60%-80% in 2050 in comparison to 1990 levels. Per sector (industry, transport, buildings, energy supply, agriculture and waste) measures are defined...

The Gold Standard version 2

The Gold Standard is a certification scheme for voluntary and compliance carbon credits, accepting only renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that actively promote sustainable development. The Gold Standard Version 2 consists of the following...

Energy-efficiency and carbon capture in new fossil power plants in the EU

The aim of the study is to give insight in energy-efficiency and capture-readiness of recently built (>1997) and planned fossil-fired power plants in the EU. Information was found for nearly 70 power plants. The results indicate that most plants have...

Worldwide potential of aquatic biomass

Ecofys was asked by the Dutch ministry of the Environment (VROM) to investigate the potential of aquatic biomass for energy applications worldwide. Through a step-by-step approach a feasible potential for aquatic biomass has been determined based on literature,...

Factors Underpinning Future Action

In this report Ecofys presents an approach to share the energy and climate related targets between EU Member States simultaneously. The method includes the EU’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target (-20% or 30% in 2020), the renewable target...

IFIEC method for the allocation of CO₂ allowances

In this study Ecofys evaluates an allocation method for EU Emissions Trading as developed by the IFIEC (International Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers) federation. In the evaluation, the direct costs and environmental outcomes of the IFIEC ...

Global potential of renewable energy sources

This report provides a background on the methodology and results of the assessment of the long term (2050) global and regional technical potential of renewable energy sources. For renewable power also the cost distribution is assessed. The approach is based...

Sectoral Emission Mitigation Potentials

An important question for climate policy making is how much GHG emissions and energy can be saved, in which sectors and at what costs? Traditionally, studies looking at this question are often characterised as either using a Bottom-Up or a Top-Down approach....

U-Values for better energy performance of buildings

Commissioned by EURIMA (European Insulation Manufacturers Association) we have created a new study, analyzing U-values (insulation thickness) for a better energy performance of European buildings. The study provides findings for 100 European cities. Aim...

Making CCS work

This report has been written by Ecofys and Spinconsult at the request of EnergieNed and the Dutch Ministries of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment and Economic Affairs. The assessment focused on the chances for carbon capture and storage (CCS)...

Towards a harmonised sustainable biomass certification scheme

There are an increasing number of initiatives for sustainable biomass and sustainable biomass for bio-energy in particular. Most parties agree that a harmonized system in the EU, and eventually the world, is superior to many different (country) initiatives....

Making energy-efficiency happen

For WWF International Ecofys made an assessment of policies and measures in G8 plus 5 countries, with recommendations for decision makers at national and international level.

Initial Assessment of National Allocation Plans

Ecofys conducted an initial assessment of the draft National Allocation Plans (NAPs) for the 2nd phase of the EU Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) due to run from 2008 to 2012. The focus is on Member State progress towards Kyoto targets and the level of...

Enhanced policies for the improvement of electricity efficiencies

Energy-efficiency improvement is considered as an important option to limit greenhouse gas emissions. In this paper, the possibilities to implement new policies to improve the efficiency of electricity end-use are explored.

Factors Underpinning Future Action

The objective of this report is to provide an analytical basis to underpin discussions on future commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the end of the first Kyoto Protocol commitment period (i.e. post-2012). The project report provides...

Cost-Effective Climate Protection in the EU Building Stock

For Greenpeace France, Ecofys provided an independent assessment for European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) sectors in France in phase II of the EU ETS according to the objective of the Emissions Trading Directive using the projection data publicly...

Towards a Post-2012 Climate Change Regime

Commissioned by the European Union, Ecofys performed an exploration of possible approaches to the UNFCCC’s Post-2012 negotiation process. Key elements of the report include a three-stage agreement on emission reductions of Kyoto-gases (excluding LUCF)...

WWF Climate Scorecards

Comparison of the climate performance of the G8 countries. The report gives information on emissions, projections and climate policies for Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom and United States of America. Includes background information...

Solar Drying in Europe

To finalize an IEA task, Ecofys was contracted by Gramsbergen solar to give an update on the current status of solar drying in Europe. Furthermore, Ecofys developed a basic calculation tool for solar dryers in Europe.
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Environmental impact of standard oil drilling installations versus the LOC250

This report reviews the environmental impact of the casing drilling Land Offshore Containerised (LOC250) oil drilling installation to the environmental impact of a “standard” drilling installation. The investigation focus on polluting gases...

Reductions of SF6 emissions

This study addresses the relevance of SF6 electrical equipment in past, current and future greenhouse gas reduction efforts. The analysis was carried out by Ecofys on request of CAPIEL, the Coordinating Committee for the Associations of Manufacturers of...

South north dialogue - equity in the greenhouse

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the future greenhouse gas emission allowances for countries and regions for a proposal made by an international group of researchers. It provide results for three scenarios, the “political willingness...

Options for the Kyoto Protocol

The study provides an overview of the proposals on international climate policy after the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol 2008 to 2012. It includes a comprehensive compromise proposal and a comparison of emission allowances under different...

Implementing Triptych 6.0 - Technical report

The Triptych approach is a method to share greenhouse gas emission allowances among a group of countries, based on sectoral considerations. It has been first proposed 1997 to share the Kyoto targets for 2008 to 2012 among the EU member states. Since 1997,...

Ranking Power

Ecofys, commissioned by WWF European Policy Office, analysed the worldwide production of 72 electricity companies, who are responsible for two-third of the electricity production in the industrialised countries.

Green Energy Markets in Europe

Corporate carbon strategies outlook to 2010” is a report published by Ecofys in cooperation with Reuters Business Insight. It is a detailed research on the developing carbon market. The report provides analyses as well as an essential forecast that...

Interim Report on National Allocation Plans

This study, commissioned by the UK Department for Trade and Industry and Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, contains the details of in-depth research into member states' National Allocation Plans. The report draws some high-level conclusion...

Global carbon dioxide storage potential and costs

Ecofys, in cooperation with TNO-NITG, presents in this report estimates of the worldwide carbon dioxide storage potential and of the costs related to capture a storage of carbon dioxide.

Electricity from biomass in the Netherlands

Ecofys wrote this market report in cooperation with Reuters Business Insight. The report provides a detailed analysis of the market, revealing the strategies that will enable you to market biomass electricity alongside other green energy sources. By using...

Mitigation of CO₂ emissions from the building stock

Ecofys conducted a study on the impact of the European Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings. The study was carried out for EURIMA (the European Insulation Manufacturers Association) and EuroACE (the European Alliance of Companies for Energy Efficiency...