1. No category

Report from the IEA Secretariat
Executive Committee Meeting of the Implementing Agreement
for a Co-operative Programme on Geothermal Energy Research and Technology
Taupo, New Zealand
30 April and 1 May 2015
Information on recent developments within the IEA Secretariat
Contact: [email protected]
I.
Working Party on Renewable Energy technologies (REWP) issues
On 25-26 March 2015, 67th REWP meeting was held in Paris, France. The following points came
up at the meeting.
 Mr. Roberto Vigotti, REWP Coordinator of the RIAB (Renewable Energy Industry
Advisory Board), made a presentation on feedback on the RIAB event in Abu Dhabi in
January and on the member only meeting in Paris on 23 March 2015.
 Mr. Michael Taylor from IRENA Secretariat presented focusing on IRENA’s Energy
Security project, Cost Reductions project requested by G20 and REsource project on
renewable energy information.
 Brazil, China and Indonesia attended the meeting as observers from partner countries.
Brazil updated the key feature of policy framework and market design for electricity.
China’s presentation included overview of renewable deployment in 2014, policy
framework, challenges and new five year program for boosting renewables. Indonesia
reported renewable energy development work focusing on bioenergy, geothermal and
hydropower development.
 As technical discussion, all delegates, mainly representatives from Implementing
Agreements (IAs) discussed “effective analysis on cost data” in cooperation with IAs.
Main challenge is how to collect representative, comprehensive, consistent and
compatible RE cost data collection timely. Representatives provided positive views to
cooperate with the IEA Secretariat, while some concerns were remarked, e.g. collection
timing, and great impacts of market situations. IEA Secretariat will discuss cost data
collection work each IA separately on the occasion of ExCo meetings.
 Bioenergy, RETD and SHC IAs kindly contributed to the “two-pager” discussion to report
major outcomes and updates by using the draft formats. Delegates acknowledged that the
two-pager are quite valuable for the good reason that the delegates can find remarkable
outcomes by IAs easily. REWP approved to adopt the two-pager which all IAs on
renewables and hydrogen provide with in every march REWP meeting.
 All delegates discussed proposed new Request for Extension (RfE) format and process.
The purpose of the revision is “to ensure transparency and accountability and to reduce
administrative burden”. New RfE questionnaire will replace the End of Term Report and
Strategic Plan. REWP submitted its feedback to CERT to improve some important issues.
The updated RfE would be applicable to all IAs beginning 1 January 2016, and required
as of 1 January 2017 [tbc].
 68th REWP meeting is confirmed to be held in Lausanne, Switzerland on the
afternoon of 21 and 22 October 2015.
 69th REWP meeting and its workshop will take place in Paris, France on 15-17
March 2016 [tbc].
1
II.
Work Programmes in Renewable Energy Division
1. IEA Renewable Energy Division - Programme of Work 2015
The work programme of IEA RED is organised around three main themes.
1. Renewable Energy Technology Progress and Status
This work stream will provide updated analysis of technical and cost data on renewable energy
technologies, the outlook for renewable energy technology development, cost reductions and
prospects for mainstream use – including through in-depth assessment of selected technologies
(e.g. a technology review of bioenergy in 2015). It will also continue work to elaborate and update
renewable energy technology roadmaps, including some at regional and country levels, for
renewable energy sources of all types.
2. Renewable Energy Markets and Policies
This will provide for more comprehensive monitoring, assessment and forecast of renewable
energy markets, through the publication of an annual Medium-Term Renewable Energy Report.
This will feature improved information on global renewable energy deployment, including their
expansion in emerging economies and other non-Member countries. There will be increased focus
on renewable heating and cooling as well as continuing analysis of the biofuels for transport
sector.
The monitoring of renewable energy supporting policies that underpin market developments will
continue, including the expansion and updating of the Global Renewable Energy Policies and
Measures database. Policy analysis will provide evaluation at the country level and identification
of policy best practices, and an evaluation of renewable energy policy costs and benefits.
3. System and Market Integration of Renewables
This will focus an enhanced assessment of system-related aspects of renewables integration in
energy grids and markets, building on the work in the Grid Integration of Variable Renewables
(GIVAR) programme. It will also provide for analysis of possible system and market designs
aiming at an increased the competitiveness of renewables, an assessment of the contribution of
renewables to energy security in the power, heat and transport sectors, and an evaluation of the
implications of the widespread diffusion of distributed renewable energy generation.
2. Medium Term Renewable Energy Market Report (MTRMR)
2014
The Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report 2014 assesses
market trends for renewables in the electricity, transport and heat
sectors, identifying drivers and challenges in terms of deployment and
making projections through 2020. The report presents for the first time
an investment outlook for renewable power capacity, in addition to
projections for renewable electricity technologies, a global biofuels
supply forecast and extended analysis of final energy use of
renewables for heat.
The 2014 book is available on the IEA bookshop:
http://www.iea.org/w/bookshop/480-Medium-Term_Renewable_Energy_Market_Report_2014
The Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report 2015 will be published at the end of
September 2015.
For more information, contact Michael Waldron: [email protected]
2
3. Grid Integration of Variable Renewables (GIVAR)
The GIVAR Project has been aiming to build understanding of the
characteristics of power systems and markets that hinder or enable the
reliable, economic integration of large shares of variable renewables
(VRE), and to use this knowledge to further improve IEA analysis of
power systems.
The publication “The Power of Transformation - Wind, Sun and the
Economics of Flexible Power Systems” was released on 26 February
2014. It summarises the results of the third phase of the GIVAR project,
undertaken over the past two years. It is rooted in a set of seven case
studies, comprising 15 countries on four continents. It deepens the
technical analysis of previous IEA work and lays out an analytical framework for understanding
the economics of VRE integration impacts. Based on detailed modelling, the impact of high
shares of VRE on total system costs is analysed. In addition, the four flexible resources which are
available to facilitate VRE integration – generation, grid infrastructure, storage and demand side
integration – are assessed in terms of their technical performance and cost-effectiveness.
See the press release including the launch presentation and the link of bookshop:
http://www.iea.org/newsroomandevents/pressreleases/2014/february/name,47513,en.html
For more info, contact Simon Müller: [email protected]
4. Featured Insights Paper: Heating Without Global Warming
Globally more energy is used to produce heat than for electricity or
transport, and producing this heat and the fuels used are important
factors in global energy security and in the emissions from energy use.
Heat is used in the buildings and industry sectors, and plays an
important role in all energy economies in all regions of the world, and
not just in colder climates or developed economies.
This publication reviews the current status and costs of renewable
heating technologies along with current market and policy trends, and
identifies opportunities to replicate successful technology deployment
and policy initiatives in a broader range of situations. It looks also at
the role that renewable heat may be able to play in the longer term in
reducing fossil energy demand and use, especially vital if significant emission reductions in the
energy sector are to be achieved. But in this longer perspective the context for deployment of
renewable heat technologies may change significantly. Better energy efficiency standards in
buildings may reduce the need for heating. Improved integration of the electricity, heating and
transport sectors will be needed to improve overall system efficiency, and more services may be
supplied through the use of low-carbon electricity. What will the role of renewable heat be in this
new better integrated energy landscape? Will some of today’s renewable heat options prove to be
transition technologies?
The publication was launched on 28 April 2014 and is available for free under:
www.iea.org/publications/insights/insightpublications/FeaturedInsight_HeatingWithoutGlobalWa
rming_FINAL.pdf.
Contact: [email protected]
3
5. Technology Roadmaps
The IEA has developed a series of global low-carbon energy technology roadmaps covering the
most important technologies. The IEA is leading the process, under international guidance and in
close consultation with government and industry. The IEA Implementing Agreements have been
involved in all of the roadmap processes and have provided very valuable input to the process.
The overall aim is to advance global development and uptake of key technologies to limit longterm global temperature increase to 2 Degrees Celsius. The roadmaps will observe current
technology status, establish a vision for achievement of 2050 goals, and identify barriers and
priority actions for all stakeholders.
With regard to renewables, the following roadmaps have been released.













Wind Energy (2009)
Concentrating Solar Power (2010)
Solar Photovoltaic Energy (2010)
Biofuels for Transport (2011)
Geothermal Heat and Power (2011)
China Wind Energy Development Roadmap 2050 (2011)
Bioenergy for Heat and Power (2012)
Solar Heating & Cooling (2012)
Hydropower (2012)
Wind Energy - 2013 edition (2013)
Solar Thermal Electricity - 2014 edition (2014)
Solar Photovoltaic Energy - 2014 edition (2014)
Hydrogen (early Q2 2015)
Hydrogen
The Hydrogen Technology Roadmap identifies overview projection of development and
deployment of hydrogen technology by 2050. The purpose of the roadmap is to lay out the
potential but also, the limitations of the use of hydrogen among different energy sectors. The
roadmap illustrates technology status today in the range of sectors, transport, industry, building
and applications. The vision for deployment to 2050 in the roadmap depicts the outlook how an
intensified dissemination of hydrogen technologies could contribute to achieving the 2DS
emission reduction target. In addition, the roadmap provides recommended actions and milestones
on hydrogen technology development together with indicative timelines. The roadmap also
describes required actions and milestone s for Policy, regulatory framework and finance.
The Hydrogen Technology Roadmap will be published in early Q2 2015.
All Technology Roadmaps are free to download: www.iea.org/roadmaps/
6. How-to-Guide for Bioenergy
The How2Guide project builds on the International Energy Agency’s global energy technology
roadmap series. Framed under the IEA’s International Low-Carbon Energy Technology Platform,
it responds to the growing number of requests for assistance from emerging and developing
economies with the development of low-carbon energy technology roadmaps that are tailored to
national frameworks, resources and capacities.
The Bioenergy H2G will build on previous IEA global roadmaps on Biofuels for Transport (2011)
and Bioenergy for Heat and Power (2012) and will provide information and guidance on a range
4
of topics that need to be carefully considered in producing national roadmaps for bioenergy heat,
power and biofuels: resource availability; sustainability of biomass supply and use; technology
status and costs; potential barriers to deployment (e.g. technology, policy, market, finance); policy
options and an analysis of their costs and effectiveness; financing options; and stakeholders
engagement and public acceptability.
The How2Guide for Bioenergy will be developed under the responsibility of the IEA’s
International Partnerships and Initiatives division, in close collaboration with the Renewable
Energy Division. A steering group will be created, including the Bioenergy Implementing
Agreement, to provide feedback and guidance to the project. The regional workshops took place
in South Africa on 29-30 April, in Thailand on 23-24 July, and in Brazil on 27-28 November 2014.
The outputs of the project will be:
-
The How2Guide itself (30 pages), backed up with suitable reference and guidance
documents and available in print and on-line, free of charge
A compendium of regional data and information on deployment, costs, policies etc.
Training modules to build capacity of emerging and developing countries to develop their
national roadmaps for bioenergy.
The H2G for Bioenergy will be completed in Q1 2015 and published in Q2 2015.
For more information: www.iea.org/aboutus/affiliatedgroups/platform/how2guides/
Contact: [email protected]
7. Bioenergy Perspectives
This publication is part of a series of in-depth renewable energy technology studies, and will build
upon past analyses of biomass use for energy in various end-use sectors contained in the MediumTerm Renewable Energy Market Report, and the Technology Roadmaps Biofuels for Transport
and Bioenergy for Heat and Power, amongst other IEA publications.
Given the important potential role for bioenergy to achieve long-term emission reduction targets
in power and heat generation as well as in the transport sector, and the emerging need to use land
and biomass resources in an efficient manner, this IEA publication will undertake an in-depth
technology study on the possibilities to enhance the use of biomass for energy in all end-use
sectors in a sustainable and integrated manner.
The report aims at offering an updated picture of current technology trends and markets,
highlighting in particular the role of new technologies for biomass electricity generation as well as
biofuel production in the future. It will further analyse in which sectors bioenergy can make the
biggest contribution in a cost-efficient manner in the long-term. The publication will also explore
the potential synergies and competition arising from the increasing use of biomass for non-energy
products and analyse the potential for further integration of bioenergy production in non-energy
biomass value chains, and provide best practice policy recommendations to help guide the further
growth of bioenergy deployment around the world and stimulate a more efficient integration of
bioenergy, food and bio-material production.
The final publication is scheduled for Q4 2015.
Contact: [email protected] and [email protected]
5
8. IEA/IRENA Global Policy and Measures Database
IEA/IRENA Global Policies and Measures Database has
constantly updated supported by both IEA and IRENA member
countries since joint Agreement made in January 2012. The
Database expanded and improved most notably through the
development of a visualisation tool which shows on the same
time scale the introduction of new policies and the trend of
selected energy indicators. Currently the database covers over
116 countries and stores 2,000 featuring renewable energy
policies in worldwide. The updated database can search policy
type, renewable energy policy target and Sector approach effortlessly.
For more information: www.iea.org/policiesandmeasures/renewableenergy/
For more info, contact [email protected]
III.
Related Publications
1. World Energy Outlook 2015 (To be released 10 NOVEMBER 2015)
The WEO 2015 will present projections through 2040 based on the latest
data and market developments; insights on the trajectories of fossil fuels,
renewables, the power sector and energy efficiency; and analysis on trends
in CO2 emissions, fossil-fuel and renewable energy subsidies, and on
universal access to modern energy services. In addition, the WEO 2015
will provide in-depth analysis on several topical issues:
- Special Report on Energy and Climate: Given the crucial importance
of COP21, this report will provide decision-makers with analysis of
national climate pledges in the context of the recent downturn in fossilfuel prices, suggest pragmatic policy measures to advance climate goals without blunting
economic growth and assess adaptation needs (to be released 15 June 2015).
- Focus on India: How India develops will have widespread implications for global energy
markets. Analysis will focus on the current state of the energy sector, how it might evolve and
how challenges such as improving access to electricity, expanding domestic energy production
and managing increasing energy imports might be addressed.
- A lower oil price future? The decline in oil prices and changing market conditions has
prompted questions as to how the market will re-balance. This analysis will examine the
implications for markets, policies, competitiveness, and the fuel mix if lower oil prices persist.
- Unconventional gas in China: In addition to an update on the opportunities and challenges that
face the development of unconventional gas globally, analysis will focus on the prospects for
unconventional gas in China and how this might affect China’s energy outlook.
- Special Report on Southeast Asia: There is significant headroom in the region for economic
and energy demand growth. Analysis will focus on how these rising energy needs might be met
and the investment required to expand energy infrastructure (to be released in October 2015).
For more information: www.worldenergyoutlook.org/
6
2. Energy Technology Perspectives 2015
The 2015 edition of Energy Technology Perspectives will seek to increase
policy makers’ confidence in the feasibility of achieving climate change
mitigation targets ambitious enough to meet both short- and long-term
objectives, in support of the upcoming negotiations of COP 21 in Paris. To
illustrate the benefits of innovation support mechanisms, and to increase
policy makers’ confidence in their ability to substantially influence the
trajectory of the global energy system, the proposed analysis will touch
upon the following aspects:
- Renewable energy: from innovation support to innovative markets
- CCS: Short-term actions for long-term objectives
- Driving industrial innovation for global change
- Delivering low carbon innovation at a global scale / reframing technology transfer
- Innovation in emerging economies - China's innovation, energy, and climate nexus
Since it was first published in 2006, ETP has evolved into a series that sets out pathways to a
sustainable energy future in which optimal technology choices are driven by cost, energy security
and environmental factors.
The ETP 2015 will be published on 4 May 2015.
For more info: http://www.iea.org/bookshop/710-Energy_Technology_Perspectives_2015
IV.
Energy Technology Network
1. Showcasing IAs during 2015
The Governing Board (GB) laid foundation for the IA basic
mechanism in 1975. The year 2015 marks the 40th
anniversary of this successful mechanism. This is a unique
opportunity to showcase the excellent work that you do.
Building on extra communications efforts during 2014, the
IEA Secretariat will be carrying out a range of additional
activities over 2015, beginning with creation of a 40-year version of the IEA Energy Technology
network logo. We will be back in touch soon with further details. Watch this space!
For more info, contact Carrie Pottinger: [email protected]
2. Energy Technology Initiatives 2015
Energy Technology Initiatives is booklet highlighting the most significant
recent achievements of the IEA IAs. At the core of the IEA energy
technology network, these initiatives are a fundamental building block for
facilitating the entry of new and improved energy technologies into the
marketplace. As main updated points in 2015, it will feature key
outcomes and findings of the IAs’ 40 anniversary years and Testimonials
from IA participants.
The biennial publication will be released in October 2015.
For more info, contact Carrie Pottinger: [email protected]
7
3. OPEN Energy Technology Bulletin
The Open Energy Technology Bulletin circulates news of activities
and findings of the IEA energy technology initiatives (formally
known as Implementing Agreements or ‘IAs’). These multilateral
groups are at the core of a vast network of senior technology
experts - the IEA Energy Technology Network - that strives to
accelerate technology deployment worldwide. In addition to
carrying out independent studies, IA experts may also contribute to
IEA analyses related to clean energy technologies and energy
efficiency.
For more information, or to contribute a news item, contact Diana Louis: [email protected]
(http://www.iea.org/openbulletin/)
4. New interactive discussion forum
A new interactive website for IA participants, the ‘Forum’ has been
created to enable interactive communication and informationsharing between IAs, and to enable easy access to tools and
guidelines. The three main categories of the Forum are:
 Sharing: a place to provide information on your news,
social media, activities, experiences, best practice
 Raising awareness: IA logo, templates, tips for effective
communication
 Tools and guidelines: IA governance, participation, requests for extensions, FAQs
The Forum is a password-protected site for IAs, accessible to Working Parties, the CERT and the
Secretariat.
Forum website http://www.iea.org/techinitiatives/forum
Login: Forum
Password: network
For more info, contact Carrie Pottinger: [email protected]
V.
Other update
New process and format of RfE
Responding to GB request in 2010 which CERT should consider further means of improving the
IA oversight mechanisms, especially the request for extension (RfE) process, IEA secretariat has
had several meetings on this issue with representatives from CERT and WPs. New RfE process
and format has been raised as new approaches in the meeting in order to improve transparency
and accountability and to reduce the administrative burden. The new RfE process and format will
be applicable in January 2016 and the RfE will be required of all IAs in January 2017.
For more info, contact Carrie Pottinger: [email protected]
8