Below you will find information and reports from research that informs DECC’s sustainable energy and fuel poverty policies and programmes.
Energy efficiency measures: take-up in the 'unconstrained sector'
Existing energy efficiency policies, such as the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) and Climate Change Agreements (CCAs), help to mitigate CO2 emissions from large business and public sector organisations. Meanwhile the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) drives the take up of abatement measures in the domestic sector. However, a high number of smaller, less energy-intensive organisations (SMEs) – here called the ‘unconstrained sector’ – fall outside the remit of these binding policies, yet, collectively, make significant contributions to the UK’s total emissions of greenhouse gases. This project was undertaken to better understand the potential savings offered by the unconstrained sector and the barriers that prevent them taking up cost-effective energy efficiency measures.
This first report assesses the size of the ‘unconstrained sector’ in terms of emissions and energy use and estimates that the sector uses 182 TWh of energy annually, equivalent to 49 Mt of CO2 emissions per annum. The report also estimates the potential cost-effective emissions reductions the sector could make.
A second study surveyed 400 smaller businesses to ascertain why smaller organisations implement energy-saving measures and analyses the key barriers that hinder them in taking action.
Trials of advanced heating controls
This report describes a field trial of a particular type of advanced heating control – the Time Proportional Integral (TPI). Laboratory tests had identified an improvement in energy efficiency of gas boilers from the operation of TPI controls. However, results from this field trial have not identified a significant improvement in heating efficiency of the heating systems from the operation of TPI controls. Moreover, there was evidence TPI controls increased electrical consumption over mid-range heating loads.
Study on hard-to-fill cavity walls in domestic dwellings in Great Britain
Cavity insulation is the most important single insulation measure in government household energy efficiency programmes such as CERT. However, some of the remaining cavities are classified as hard to fill. This report is based on extensive consultation with industry and suggests options for filling different types of hard-to-fill cavities. The estimated costs and carbon savings are also calculated. The report has important implications for household energy efficiency policy.
Measuring peak electricity demand in non-domestic buildings
The main aim of this study is to scope out a project for measuring peak electricity demand in non-domestic buildings. The purpose of measuring this peak demand is to identify discretionary demand, i.e. demand that could be shifted to non-peak times. The study seeks a greater understanding and depth of insight into the various and numerous factor affecting non-domestic peak loads. Further activity informed by the study could lead to economic gains by various players in the electricity provision and consumption market.
Effect of CERT on fuel poverty
The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) is one of the Government’s key mechanisms for improving energy efficiency in homes. This analysis attempts to quantify the effect of CERT on fuel poverty in England. The analysis shows that, based on the level of fuel poverty in 2006, approximately 163,000 households are likely to no longer suffer from fuel poverty as a result of the CERT programme. Of these households, approximately 136,000 are classed as ‘vulnerable’.
Reducing peak electricity demand in UK buildings
This study looks at the different components that make up peak electricity demand in the UK, to allow the potential for reducing this demand by improving energy efficiency in buildings to be assessed. To capture the impact of change over the course of a year, the model considers the daily demand profile for the day peak demand occurred (in 2006), in each quarter. This showed that lighting, catering, consumer electronics and, in the summer, cooling, are the uses where there is likely to be the most potential for reducing demand.
Distributed generation and wider energy systems effects
There has been growing interest in distributed, embedded and micro-generation over recent years. One of the distributed energy technologies closest to coming to market, with significant potential for development in the next few years, is micro Combined Heat and Power (CHP). This is where a typical domestic boiler would be replaced by an integrated system, which can produce electricity as well as heat for the home.
Large scale CHP systems are well established and understood, but the smaller CHP systems have not yet been exploited fully. There are numerous reasons for this, such as the technology still being in the early stages of development and the difficulties in selling any excess electricity back to the grid. As well as domestic applications, there is also potential to use this technology in small commercial situations where there is a significant demand for heat.
This research extended an earlier evaluation of the implications of having a substantial number of distributed generation (DG) units on the UK’s electricity and gas networks, with a particular emphasis on micro-CHP. This earlier AEA/Carbon Consortium report, ‘The impacts of distributed generation on the wider UK energy system’ March 2007, is available to download in the table at the end of this page.
High consumption homes
Modelling for the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) illustrative mix is based on a ‘typical’ home, i.e. a three bedroomed semi-detached house with a set heating pattern, average insulation, ventilation, etc. However, data from the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) shows a large range in electricity and gas consumption per home.
For electricity, the highest consuming 0.8% of homes use over 5% of the electricity supplied to the whole domestic sector. For gas, the highest consuming 0.24% of homes use more than 2% of the gas supplied to the whole domestic sector.
Preliminary studies suggest that if a fifth of households with the highest consumption were to reduce their electricity and gas consumption by 10%, the CO2 savings would be around 4 Mt CO2/year – roughly equivalent to the savings from CERT.
This analysis estimates the electricity and gas use of a variety of high consumption households that differ significantly from the ‘norm. In each case, it is assumed the most cost effective energy efficiency measures (a condensing boiler, loft insulation, cavity insulation if appropriate) have already been carried out.
CO2 savings from Warm Front
The Warm Front scheme is an energy efficiency programme operated by DECC. The scheme was started in June 2000, and offers a range of energy efficiency measures to private sector households receiving various benefits. The primary aim of the scheme is to alleviate fuel poverty, although a significant secondary benefit is a reduction in domestic CO2 emissions.
This analysis presents the results of a scenario model that calculates the theoretical CO2 savings from four of the most important measures offered through Warm Front: cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, gas central heating and oil central heating.
The analysis suggests theoretical savings of about 0.49 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year (MtCO2/yr) have been achieved at the end of March 2008. Assuming a linear rate of installation and savings since the start of Warm Front in June 2000, this equates to a total saving of approximately 1.90 MtCO2.
Research projects on monitoring energy use and energy efficiency savings in housing
Hidden costs and benefits of domestic energy efficiency and carbon saving measures
This report contains estimates of hidden costs, prepared for DECC, based mainly on expert opinion. It is the first comprehensive estimate of hidden costs and it adds to DECC’s evidence base related to domestic energy efficiency. As information on this subject is currently limited these estimates may be updated following engagement with stakeholders. Hidden costs are real costs that are additional to the basic cost of installing a measure. For example, someone may take half a day off work and give up their free time to supervise workers installing a measure or they may need to redecorate after internal solid wall insulation. Figures for subsidies in this report are for illustrative purposes only and do not relate to any actual or proposed policies.
Condensing boiler trials
The purpose of these field trials was to test the performance and efficiency of combination and regular gas condensing boilers under real operating conditions in a sample of UK homes and compare them with boiler efficiencies listed in the SEDBUK database.
The study shows that, on average, the boiler efficiency in the trial was around 5% lower than that expected from SEDBUK values. This is in broad agreement with independent laboratory studies on around 100 boilers, which show seasonal efficiencies to be 2% lower than SEDBUK. These results will be used to inform the development of the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP).
Meter reading analysis
Research on meter readings taken before and after home insulation measures were installed shows that energy savings are lower in practice compared with theoretical models. This has led to a ‘reduction factor’ being applied to energy savings attributed to these types of measures. Further analysis has shown there is no statistically significant difference in the so-called ‘reduction factor’ between different types of insulation and therefore the same reduction factor should apply to all types of insulation.
Effectiveness of cavity wall insulation
This report describes the results of ‘in situ’ measurements carried out to investigate how well cavity wall insulation performs in practice. It concluded that cavity wall insulation helps to improve energy efficiency in dwellings but that for many houses, the coverage of cavity wall insulation is not complete, partly due to the way walls are constructed.
Analysis of domestic hot water consumption and energy use
This report describes the results of ‘in situ’ measurements of hot water consumption and the associated energy required for hot water heating. The research compared hot water heating patterns with current model assumptions and identified where in a house water is consumed. It makes recommendations for improving heating efficiency and preventing wasted water.
Carbon factor for wood fuels
This report reviews the options for adjusting the carbon factor for wood fuels (forestry residues, short rotation coppice and clean wood waste) to take account of greenhouse gases emitted during the transport and processing of wood as well as at the combustion stage. The report also looks at the feasibility of including in the carbon factor indirect greenhouse gas emissions of NOx and black carbon generated by the transport, processing and combustion of wood.
Energy use in homes
These reports, prepared by BRE on behalf of DECC, consider the energy efficiency characteristics of the English housing stock, as described by the English Housing Survey (EHS), and examine space and water heating systems and thermal insulation measures. They extend analysis back to 1991, establishing a timeline that will continue to be updated annually.
Supplementary focus reports examine key attributes of 'Hard To Treat' (HTT) housing stock, and the scope for energy efficiency improvements and CO2 savings, using various measures, with a particular focus on solid wall insulation and heat pumps.
Domestic energy fact file
The domestic energy fact file provides important trends related to domestic energy use, and in particular on the measures taken to improve energy efficiency. The reports cover the period from 1970 (just before the first oil crisis) to the latest year for which data are available, in this case 2006. The information has been prepared by the Building Research Establishment using the BREHOMES model.
Energy consumption in the domestic sector accounts for about 30% of total UK energy consumption and has risen by 35% over the last 23 years. The report estimates that energy efficiency measures have saved 51% of energy relative to what would have been consumed in 1970 insulation and efficiency conditions. Future progress relies on tackling dwellings that are difficult to insulate and looking at low- and zero-carbon technologies to continue making carbon savings.
This report provides information on the trends in energy use and energy efficiency in the housing stock for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, from 1970 to 2005.
Earlier reports
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March 2007. This study investigates the large-scale system implications of widespread uptake of micro-CHP for the UK’s electricity and gas supply systems. It examines the economic potential of this technology, the likely carbon savings, and the institutional issues and barriers that affect its implementation and uptake.
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AEA Energy & Environment/ Carbon Consortium
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December 2006. A review of research into the real performance of home insulation measures compared to the theoretical savings used in models of domestic energy efficiency.
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Glasgow Caledonian University
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June 2006. This project investigates the energy savings and comfort levels in houses that have upgraded their insulation. It sought to establish whether there are differences in the comfort levels maintained by priority households (those in receipt of a qualifying benefit) and the occupants of non-priority homes.
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Energy Monitoring Company
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May 2006. Two studies on the macro-economic rebound effect. Some argue that energy efficiency measures change the pattern of consumption and production in the economy, such that overall energy use increases. These studies found that at the macro level, whilst energy efficiency does increase the productivity of the economy, the impact on overall energy consumption is small. Based on the Cambridge Econometrics model, the indirect or macro economic rebound effect is only 11%.
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Strathclyde University and a consortium from Cambridge
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2006. Report on the trends relating to energy use and energy efficiency in homes in Great Britain broken down by different tenures.
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BRE
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April 2006. Metering, billing and direct displays. A review to consider what is known about the effectiveness of feedback to householders. The focus of the review was on how people change their behaviour, not on the detail of the technology used.
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Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University
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August 2006. A study considering policies for firms below the threshold for the proposed Energy Performance Commitment – and specifically the potential for enhancing these programmes or introducing new programmes to provide additional support.
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NERA Economic Consulting with Enviros
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December 2005. The Energy Efficiency Innovation Review (EEIR) examined how a major change in energy efficiency in the domestic, business and public sectors in the UK could be achieved cost effectively, and how energy efficiency improvement could be integrated into decision making across the economy. Further background material below.
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HMT/Defra/EST/Carbon Trust
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January 2006. An in-depth reappraisal of carbon abatement curves and the carbon abatement potential of the non-transport sectors.
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Enviros Consulting Ltd.
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Appendix (PDF 1.2 MB - note large file size)
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June 2005. An evaluation of emerging low carbon technologies and the scope to stimulate these via additional UK RD&D.
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Future Energy Solutions
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January 2006. Review of existing policies and literature on barriers to energy efficiency. Development of a new consumer response model and appraisal of options for new energy efficiency policies.
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Oxera Consulting Ltd.
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January 2006. A comparison of UK energy standards with best practice internationally.
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Defra’s Market Transformation Programme
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