ENERGY EFFICIENCY MARKET REPORT 2013
Overview
- Publication: The report provides insights into the energy efficiency market, focusing on market activities, challenges, and future prospects.
- Scope: It covers a broad range of energy-consuming sectors and includes specific technology sectors like appliances and ICT.
Key Data and Trends
- Investment Scale: In 2011, investments in the global energy efficiency market were similar to those in renewable energy and fossil-fuel power generation, amounting to around €100 billion.
- Market Impact: Over the past decades, reduced energy demand due to energy efficiency measures has been larger than any other single supply-side energy source for a significant share of IEA member countries.
- Market Activity: Energy efficiency is becoming a significant market, with identified investments of up to USD 300 billion globally in 2011.
Methodological Challenges
- Metrics: The market can be measured in terms of investments in energy efficiency, the resulting avoided energy, or the value of this avoided energy.
- Data: Practical challenges arise due to the lack of comparable reported data, especially in certain sectors. Statistical analyses have only been possible for varying subsets of IEA member countries.
Importance of Energy Efficiency
- Hidden Fuel: Energy efficiency is often referred to as a "hidden fuel" because it extends energy supplies, increases energy security, lowers carbon emissions, and supports sustainable economic growth.
- Market Perspective: Adopting a market approach helps in understanding the critical role of energy efficiency in the global energy market.
Future Prospects
- Medium-Term Forecast: The report summarizes trends and prospects for investment and energy cost savings up to 2020.
- Strategic Shift: There is a growing recognition of the need to consider energy efficiency within the context of a market, where supply and demand interact.
Conclusion
- Need for Data: High-quality and timely data is crucial for understanding the energy efficiency market.
- Government and Private Sector Roles: Both governments and private sector entities can benefit from a strategic shift in viewing energy efficiency as a marketable resource.
This report emphasizes the significance of energy efficiency as a major energy resource and underscores the need for better data and a market-oriented approach to fully realize its potential.
