Latest news with #EnergyEfficiencyDirective
Fibre2Fashion
23-06-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Textile recycling could cut COâ by 440,000 tonnes a year: Research
Reaching a modest 10 per cent textile-to-textile recycling rate by 2035 could cut CO2 emissions by 440,000 tonnes annually and reduce water scarcity impacts by over 3 per cent—or 8.8 billion m³ world equivalent, according to findings from the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. Despite rising concerns over fast fashion's sustainability, global textile-to-textile recycling remains critically low—at only around 1 per cent. However, advanced recycling technologies could lift that rate to 26 per cent by 2030. The research, which examined five key recycling processes and used Monte Carlo modelling, showed a 92 per cent probability of reducing climate impacts and a nearly 100 per cent chance of bringing water scarcity improvements. The average reduction in climate impact of the new approach, compared to 'business as usual', was 0.5 per cent. With the EU aiming to make all textiles placed on the market durable, repairable, and recyclable by 2030 under its Sustainable and Circular Textiles Strategy, the study underscores the need for policy support to scale fibre-to-fibre recycling. This includes improvements in textile collection and sorting, quality of recycled fibres, and mechanisms such as taxes on virgin materials to shift industry norms. Researchers emphasise that while recycling must increase, the processes themselves also require enhanced efficiency to ensure that recycled fibres can effectively replace virgin counterparts. The findings add weight to calls for coordinated EU action under frameworks like the Energy Efficiency Directive and Circular Economy Action Plan. A 10 per cent textile-to-textile recycling rate by 2035 could cut COâ‚‚ emissions by 440,000 tonnes annually and ease water scarcity by over 3 per cent, said IVL. With current rates at just 1 per cent, advanced recycling could boost it to 26 per cent by 2030. The study has urged EU policy support to improve fibre recycling efficiency and infrastructure. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Mid East Info
14-04-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Vertiv upgrades Pre-Engineered Data Centre Solution for Edge Computing in EMEA to promote Energy Efficiency and Faster Onsite Deployment
New Vertiv™ SmartAisle™ with integrated monitoring and high-efficiency power and cooling helps reduce costs and energy consumption Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global provider of critical digital infrastructure solutions and the leading provider of the full suite of power train and thermal chain solutions, today announced a significant upgrade to its Vertiv™ SmartAisle™ solution, designed specifically for edge computing applications up to 180 kW. Now available across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), this complete pre-engineered system combines power, cooling, racks, and advanced management and monitoring capabilities in a single integrated unit, designed to simplify and quicken edge computing deployments. In line with the European Union Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) the system provides energy efficient operation and includes power usage effectiveness (PUE) monitoring to help organizations track operations alongside their responsible business goals. ' The upgraded Vertiv ™ SmartAisle ™ really changes the game when it comes to effective and successful edge deployments ', said Giuseppe Leto, senior director IT systems business at Vertiv in EMEA. ' We've made it easier, faster, and more cost-effective for businesses to scale and grow their IT operations. The pre-engineered system eliminates the traditional challenges of planning of multiple equipment installations and logistics while providing customers a complete, reliable end-to-end solution that allows data centre operators to monitor energy efficiency requirements following the latest EU regulations. ' The embedded Vertiv™ RDU501 intelligent infrastructure management appliance allows data centre operators to control system operations in real-time 24/7, offering a consolidated and easy to use monitoring and management platform. In addition, the Vertiv approach to pre-engineered, edge smart solutions helps organizations reduce planning, design, and site preparation time by up to 80% while lowering deployment costs by up to 30% compared to a brick-and-mortar alternative, while the integration of all components is designed to achieve up to 20% higher energy efficiency compared to industry averages[1]. Vertiv SmartAisle is part of Vertiv's growing portfolio of flexible, fully pre-engineered modular solutions. The system is available as standard in four different reference designs, with the ability to scale up to 180kW IT load and features N+1 redundancy for both power and cooling systems. Key features and benefits include: Advanced 24/7 monitoring of energy consumption and capacity management Precise environmental monitoring with six sensors per server rack High efficiency, modular uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems Power distribution through power bars or floor-mounted PDUs Integrated power monitoring via rack-mounted power distribution units (rPDU) Adaptive direct expansion cooling system with 20-100% modulating capacity Enhanced thermal efficiency through cold aisle containment Advanced physical security with e-handles and IP cameras Scalable architecture enabling standardized deployment across multiple edge sites For more information about Vertiv SmartAisle, read the blog post and visit [1] Reference: Global average PUE as reported by the Uptime Institute in 2024
Euronews
20-02-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Euroviews. The Clean Industrial Deal is an opportunity to increase competitiveness and resilience
Published on The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent in any way the editorial position of Euronews. While we eagerly await the Clean Industrial Deal, it cannot stand alone. Together, we stand ready to engage in the political discussion and support the EU's economy for a sustainable and competitive future, leaders of seven major European companies write. We believe there is a vital global role for Europe to play in the coming decades and beyond. Our vision is to lead in clean technologies that will benefit Europeans and people worldwide. That is why we are engaging in discussions to shape the EU's Clean Industrial Deal. The Clean Industrial Deal is meant to be a bold initiative designed to both enhance the competitiveness of Europe's industry and accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral and circular economy. However, it will only be successful if it leverages competitive decarbonisation to bring down energy costs and increase resilience. These goals are within reach. We have a major opportunity to strengthen Europe's strong industrial ecosystem of companies with readily available technology, know-how, and the required skilled workforces to make it a reality. Our group of seven companies is now calling for action by proposing four policy recommendations to be included in the Clean Industrial Deal, which could have an immediate impact on the EU's industrial competitiveness. We see these recommendations as a way to follow up on the Clean Industrial Deal with sustained ambition, predictability and long-term thinking to create a brighter future. Promote energy efficiency, accelerate electrification To reduce energy costs and enhance energy security, Europe must adopt cost-effective energy efficiency measures. In doing so, manufacturing industries could nearly double the gross value added per unit of energy by 2040, according to the IEA. For example, energy consumption and use of resources in product development, industrial operations, process management, factory design and automation can be optimised with digital solutions. Our buildings can be made smarter with connected heating and cooling technologies. Efficiency requirements should expand from individual products to system-wide processes, supported by an ambitious heating & cooling strategy. Member states now have a major opportunity to turn this into reality when implementing the revised Energy Efficiency Directive and Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Strengthening Europe's electricity grids through infrastructure investment, digitalisation, and boosting demand flexibility management is essential. This must go hand-in-hand with unlocking grid flexibility through digitalisation and price incentives. Electrification is key to making the energy transition affordable. Without it, progress on energy efficiency and uptake of renewables will remain too low. Taking the example of industry, existing technology can electrify approximately 78% of industrial energy use. However, today electricity covers only about one-third of the EU's industrial energy consumption. To accelerate the energy transition, the Electrification Action Plan should focus on measures to boost electrification across all end-use sectors, with a target of 35% electrification by 2030, and specific targets for sectors. Strengthening Europe's electricity grids through infrastructure investment, digitalisation, and boosting demand flexibility management is essential. This must go hand-in-hand with unlocking grid flexibility through digitalisation and price incentives. The European Grids Package should accelerate the smartening of the electricity grid, potentially cutting investment needs by 18% and saving up to €55 billion annually. There should be dedicated support for SME electrification and digitisation. Integrated approach to our energy system and other incentives To enhance the flexibility of European energy systems, better integration of sectors should be incentivised. For example, we could leverage resources such as the 2,860 TWh of waste heat available annually in the EU. This is almost the same as the EU's total energy demand for heat and hot water. Mandatory heat planning provisions should be implemented to help regions and municipalities assess and optimise waste heat use – a speedy implementation of the revised energy efficiency directive will be crucial in this respect. Delivering on common interoperable data spaces (energy, buildings, industry, mobility) should also become a priority. Doing so will enable data-driven business models and digital services, enhancing both profitability and the EU's green transition. As industry leaders, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting Europe's green transition and thus ensuring innovation, resilience, and competitiveness. We are optimistic and firmly believe that Europe's opportunities far outweigh the challenges we face. Predictable and accessible financing measures are crucial to enable industries to adopt cost-effective solutions and foster partnerships for funding, regulatory support, and shared resources. Incentives such as tax credits should be explored to accelerate energy efficiency and electrification, leveraging funds from mechanisms like ETS. Additionally, recovery funding and public procurement should prioritise innovative net-zero and sustainable technologies and simplify access to finance. Industrial partnerships, as envisioned in Article 23 of the Energy Efficiency Directive, should be established to create energy efficiency roadmaps, assess investment needs, and future-proof key sectors. Such partnerships should sit alongside raising awareness and educating stakeholders about the benefits of available technologies. The next step As industry leaders, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting Europe's green transition and thus ensuring innovation, resilience, and competitiveness. We are optimistic and firmly believe that Europe's opportunities far outweigh the challenges we face. The Competitiveness Compass, released two weeks ago, suggests tailor-made plans for energy-intensive sectors. In this context, we urge EU policymakers to also consider the role of clean and digital technologies in supporting the sustainable growth of energy-intensive companies. We — and many other industries in Europe — are already transforming our operations, turning the challenge of decarbonisation into a powerful driver of competitive advantage through lower energy costs. While we eagerly await the Clean Industrial Deal, it cannot stand alone. It must be followed by concrete actions, from both member states and industries. Together, we stand ready to engage in the political discussion and support the EU's economy for a sustainable and competitive future. Jürgen Fischer is President of Danfoss Climate Solutions; Gwenaëlle Avice Huet is Executive Vice President of Europe Operations and Member of Executive Committee at Schneider Electric; José La Loggia is Group President, EMEA at Trane Technologies; Karin Lepasoon is Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer at ABB; Katie McGinty is Vice President and Chief Sustainability and External Relations Officer at Johnson Controls; Lars Petersson is CEO of VELUX Group; and Judith Wiese is Chief People and Sustainability Officer, Member of the Managing Board and Labour Director at Siemens.
Euronews
10-02-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Data centres could strain Europe's power supply by 2030, report warns
Europe's ambitions to build data centres could strain the continent's power supplies and increase greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the decade, says a new report released ahead of France's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit. The non-profit organisation Beyond Fossil Fuels estimates that electricity demands could rise by up to 160 per cent by 2030, reaching 287 TWh/year, more than Spain's total electricity consumption in 2022. If fossil fuels are used to meet these energy demands, annual emissions from new EU data centres could grow from 5 million tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions in 2025 to roughly 39 million in 2030, the report continued, more than Lithuania and Estonia's total emissions for 2022. "If the data centre growth relies on fossil gas, it will fuel the climate crisis," Jill McArdle, the international corporate campaigner for Beyond Fossil Fuels, said in a statement. "To prevent this, expansion must go hand in hand with the buildout of additional renewable energy. If tech companies cannot bring their demand growth in line with climate science—it must be limited". More than half of energy requirements come from new builds The German non-profit used public data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and consulting firm McKinsey to develop four hypotheses for how emissions could grow as more data centres are built. The report evaluated what would happen if there was high or low demand for data centres and the impacts on emissions if those centres were supplied with mostly fossil fuels or green energy in the form of solar or wind. The report said that more than half of that energy demand would come from new data centre builds throughout the continent. If all data centres were powered by renewable energy, there "would be no additional GHG emissions by the sector" in 2030, the non-profit organisation said. Data centres are estimated to currently account for some three per cent of the continent's electricity demand. However, the energy consumption isn't distributed equally. A 2024 EU data centre energy consumption report found that data centres consume much more of Ireland's and the Netherlands' energy than the EU-wide average, up to 21 per cent and 5.4 per cent respectively. Tech companies claim they will limit emissions The World Economic Forum (WEF) said there are several ways for Big Tech companies to reduce their emissions, including switching to renewable energy, reusing waste heat, and building water evaporation systems only in places where the supply is "sufficient and sustainable". Alphabet, Google's parent company, is working on operating its data centres with carbon-free energy by 2030. Microsoft is changing materials for its data centres, like using a hybrid fire-resistanttimber, to reduce emissions. The EU updated the Energy Efficiency Directive last year, so data centre operators are required to publish their emissions and other data to a European-wide database twice a year. Still, Beyond Fossil Fuels said there's a need for "far greater transparency" on how much energy data centres consume and how tech companies commit to reducing their emissions.
Associated Press
30-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Energy Audits: Insights and Trends
As organizations across the globe grapple with the vast complexity of sustainability regulations and their implications, one major EU energy regulation stands out: Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). For multinational companies operating in the European Union (EU), the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) is a pivotal framework shaping their operations. Here's what you need to know about the latest trends and how to prepare and respond to agency inquiries. The EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED): A Quick Overview The ever-evolving EED regulation, first introduced in 2012, is a cornerstone of the EU's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 55% by 2030 (compared to baseline levels of the 90s). At its core, the directive mandates that large enterprises conduct energy audits every four years. Here's how 'large' is defined under the EED: Each EU member state, however, interprets and applies these requirements differently, adding complexity for multinational businesses. Key Trends in Energy Auditing 1. Increased Scrutiny and Verification Countries like Germany are ramping up oversight. For example, Germany's Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control ( BAFA) audits about 20% of submitted EED reports, often requesting a detailed three-year average of energy consumption. This heightened scrutiny underscores the need for meticulous data organization and reporting. 2. Diverging National Approaches Even non-EU countries, like Switzerland, are adapting their own energy efficiency frameworks. Switzerland recently delegated energy audit responsibilities to its Cantons, bypassing federal regulation. Meanwhile, the UK's Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) mirrors the EED but operates independently, with updates in 2023 requiring action plans and annual updates. 3. Expanding Compliance Thresholds While historically focused on large enterprises, some nations are considering extending requirements to smaller businesses. This potential shift emphasizes the importance of staying ahead of regulatory changes to avoid compliance surprises. Practical Advice for Managing Energy Audit Compliance For global businesses, especially those headquartered in the U.S., navigating these evolving regulations can be daunting. With the increased scrutiny by agencies, here are some tips when they inquire or audit. 1. Don't Panic – Be Prepared Energy audits are an expected part of doing business in Europe. Start by ensuring your organization has a robust system for tracking energy data across facilities. 2. Know the Nuances Each country's implementation of the EED may vary. For instance: One way to navigate these differences is to engage local experts or consultants. 3. Leverage Global Expertise Locally U.S.-based multinationals can meet EU compliance requirements by utilizing global energy management teams. For instance, teams supporting US-based global clients coordinate compliance strategies from the U.S., ensuring consistency while adapting to regional specifics. 4. Stay Informed on Regulatory Changes Energy efficiency regulations are dynamic. For example, Germany amended its Energy Efficiency Act just before reporting deadlines, impacting compliance strategies. Regularly reviewing legal registers and maintaining flexibility in compliance plans are crucial. Beyond Europe: California's Climate Action Parallel The focus on energy audits isn't confined to Europe. California's Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253) is introducing requirements for public disclosure of direct and indirect GHG emissions (Scope 1 and 2). This mirrors the EU's push for transparency and could foreshadow broader adoption across the U.S. Companies operating globally should consider aligning their sustainability practices to meet both European and emerging U.S. standards. Looking Ahead: How We Can Help Our teams have been supporting global clients in navigating energy audits since the EED's inception in 2012. Whether it's aligning with ISO 50001 standards or preparing for an audit, we ensure our clients are not only compliant but confident in their reporting. As regulatory landscapes continue to evolve, having a partner with expertise across regions is more important than ever. To learn more about how we can help you navigate EED, ESOS, or similar frameworks, we are here to help. Conclusion: Embracing Change as Opportunity While energy audits may seem like another compliance hurdle, they offer a chance to drive efficiency, cut costs, and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. By staying informed and proactive, businesses can turn compliance challenges into strategic advantages.
