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IEA Publications on 'OECD Countries'
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IEA Scoreboard 2009 -- 35 Key Energy Trends over 35 Years, 146 pages, ISBN 978-92-64-06377-8, paper €100, PDF €80 (2009) Both the world economy and the global energy scene have dramatically evolved since the International Energy Agency (IEA) was founded 35 years ago. To respond proactively to these changes, all IEA member countries have agreed to “create conditions in which the energy sectors of their economies can make the fullest possible contribution to sustainable economic development and to the well-being of their people and of the environment”.
Measuring and assessing how much has been done by member countries over the years to follow their underlying principles is not an easy task. Each country is unique in terms of economy, geography, climate, energy resources, etc. Taking into account some of these specificities, the IEA Scoreboard 2009 is a first attempt to compare what has been achieved by member countries in diversifying their energy mix, in promoting non-fossil fuels and energy efficiency, in encouraging research and development, and, more generally, in creating a policy framework consistent with their shared policy goals.
Since the IEA Scoreboard 2009 is published in conjunction with the 35th anniversary of the IEA, 35 themes, ranging from diversification to prices, show how IEA countries have performed in their efforts to attain energy security, environmental protection and economic growth. This book, which combines statistical rigour with easy access and readability, should become a popular tool for policy makers, energy analysts and journalists. It is an ideal resource for anyone who would like to have a quick overview of energy development in IEA member countries over the last 35 years. The publication also includes selected energy-related statistics for over 140 countries, economies and regions in the world.
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries - Spain -- 2009 Review, 160 pages, ISBN 978-92-64-06035-7, paper €75, PDF €60 (2009) Since the last IEA in-depth review in 2005, Spain has made significant progress in improving its energy policy. In Europe, the country is now leading in gas diversification and LNG development. Together with Portugal, it has set up the common Iberian electricity market, MIBEL, and has strong ambitions in developing it further. It has also become prominent in developing wind and solar energy technology, and succeeded in integrating large amounts of intermittent power in the electricity grid.
Along with other IEA member countries, Spain has set ambitious climate and energy security targets. Achieving these will require a transition to a low-carbon economy. Spain will need to increase its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions, particularly in the transport but also the critical power sector. As fossil fuels still provide more than half of electricity, Spain will need to keep open all the options - including nuclear, renewables, and the technology of carbon capture and storage - for making its power sector less carbon-intensive. The country should also increase its efforts to limit peak electricity demand through energy efficiency.
Spain has substantially de-regulated its electricity and gas tariffs, and developed a financial plan to end the large deficit that had built up under the previous tariff regime. Prices for many small electricity users, however, are still regulated and low enough to potentially distort the market. In addition, the still remaining subsidies for domestic coal production should be eliminated and replaced by direct social policy measures.
This review analyses the energy challenges facing Spain and provides critiques and recommendations for further policy improvements. It is intended to help guide Spain towards a more sustainable energy future.
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries - Portugal -- 2009 Review, 160 pages, ISBN 978-92-64-06037-1, paper €75, PDF €60 (2009) Portugal has made considerable efforts to strengthen its energy policy since the last IEA in-depth review in 2004. A large number of IEA recommendations have been successfully implemented, including greater diversification of the energy mix and increased energy policy co-ordination. A new National Energy Strategy, published in October 2005, identified three principal means for meeting Portugal’s policy goals: the promotion of renewable energy, increased energy efficiency and competition in energy markets.
Over a short period of time, Portugal has become a leader in terms of renewable energy development. Well-designed incentive mechanisms and the adoption of ambitious targets ensure hydro, wind and other technologies will continue to grow. The National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency was enacted in 2008, and Portugal aims to implement energy efficiency measures equivalent to 9.8% of total final energy consumption by 2015. This plan complements a well-developed and co-ordinated climate change policy. Further steps have been taken towards the liberalisation of energy markets, including the innovative creation of a single operator for the transport of natural gas and electricity, natural gas storage and operation of the Sines LNG terminal.
Still, a number of challenges remain. Energy markets are not as competitive as policy makers may have wished, and energy research and development policy co-ordination needs to be strengthened.
This review provides sectoral critiques of existing policy and recommendations for further improvements. It is intended to serve as an indispensable guide for Portuguese policy makers as they travel along the path to a more sustainable energy future.
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Energy Statistics of OECD Countries -- 2009 Edition, 434 pages, ISBN 978-92-64-06117-0 (CD-ROM: 978-92-64-06119-4), paper €120, PDF €96, CD-ROM €550 (2009) This volume contains data on energy supply and consumption in original units for coal, oil, gas, electricity, heat, renewables and waste. Complete data are available for 2006 and 2007 and supply estimates are available for the most recent year (i.e. 2008). Historical tables summarise data on production, trade and final consumption. The book also includes definitions of products and flows and explanatory notes on the individual country data.
In the 2009 edition of Energy Balances of OECD Countries, the sister volume of this publication, the data are presented as comprehensive energy balances expressed in million tonnes of oil equivalent.
Bi-lingual edition: English - French
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The CD-ROM and on-line service contain detailed time series back to 1960 for most OECD Countries.
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Energy Balances of OECD Countries -- 2009 Edition, 354 pages, ISBN 978-92-64-06120-0 (CD-ROM: 978-92-64-06122-4), paper €120, PDF €96, CD-ROM €550 (2009) This volume contains data on the supply and consumption of coal, oil, gas, electricity, heat, renewables and waste presented as comprehensive energy balances expressed in million tonnes of oil equivalent. Complete data are available for 2006 and 2007 and supply estimates are available for the most recent year (i.e. 2008). Historical tables summarise production, trade and final consumption data as well as key energy and economic indicators. The book also includes definitions of products and flows, explanatory notes on the individual country data and conversion factors from original units to energy units.
More detailed data in original units are published in the 2009 edition of Energy Statistics of OECD Countries, the sister volume of this publication.
Bi-lingual edition: English - French
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The CD-ROM and on-line service contain detailed time series back to 1960 for most OECD countries.
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries - Luxembourg -- 2008 Review, 96 pages, ISBN 978-92-64-04341-1, paper €75, PDF €60 (2009) Luxembourg has reformed its energy policies across all sectors since the last IEA in-depth review in 2004. The country has fully liberalised its electricity and natural gas markets, and is actively participating in the development of the evolving Central West European regional electricity system. Luxembourg has also prepared a broad action plan on energy efficiency, improved the support system for renewable energy sources and revised taxes to mitigate climate change.
The country’s energy policy in the coming decade will be shaped by the EU 2020 targets that call for substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and strong increases in renewable energy and energy efficiency. These targets will be hard to meet, given that roughly half of energy-related CO2 emissions come from transport fuel use by foreign truckers and motorists, and that Luxembourg’s potential for producing much more renewable energy is limited.
Luxembourg is heavily dependent on oil. Although oil sources are well diversified by country of origin, more than 85% of oil stocks are held in neighbouring countries and often based on short-term leasing contracts. This leaves the country vulnerable to potential oil supply disruptions. Luxembourg should swiftly implement a plan to improve the security of oil supply.
This review analyses the energy challenges facing Luxembourg and provides critiques and recommendations for further policy improvements. It is intended to help guide the country towards achieving its sustainability targets.
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IEA Energy Policies Review -- The European Union 2008, 224 pages, ISBN 978-92-64-04337-4, paper €75, PDF €60 (2008) For the first time, the IEA has reviewed the energy policies of the European Union which shape the energy use of almost 500 million citizens in 27 EU member countries. A unique entity governed under complex and almost constantly evolving structures, the EU constitutes a challenge for energy policy makers. Its energy policy has a global impact, not only because of its 16% share of world energy demand, but also because of the EU leadership in addressing climate change.
Strong policy drives are underway in the EU to achieve the completion of the internal energy market, increase renewable energy supply, reduce CO2 emissions and make the EU more energy-efficient. Concerns about security of supply have also led to a greater focus on improved energy relations with supplier countries, and new institutional structures are being put in place. How much progress has been made in the field of security, internal market and external energy policies? And in which of these areas has the EU already implemented a fully integrated policy? IEA Energy Policies Review – The European Union 2008 addresses these questions and also analyses the impact of the most recent major EU policy measures, in particular the Energy & Climate Package of January 2008 and the 3rd Liberalisation Package of September 2007.
This book finds that both of these proposals are highly ambitious. But implementing them and reviewing both volume and allocation of energy R&D will be necessary to achieve a sustainable energy future in a fully competitive integrated EU energy market.
CLARIFICATION OF IEA STANCE ON EU POLICY REVIEW
The IEA has consistently stated that overall energy sector R&D investment needs to be increased in all world regions.
Recent press reports have suggested that the new IEA publication, "IEA Energy Policies Review: The European Union – 2008" calls for cuts in funding of fusion energy, particularly of the ITER project.
The focus in the EU R&D policy review was not on ITER, rather, the total R&D spending envelope.
The study raises the question whether the total amount allotted to R&D is sufficient to attain both the short- and long-term EU policy goals.
The review states that any allocation of funding should be done "keeping in mind its international obligations towards the ITER project."
ITER is an important international project, which many IEA member countries support.
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries – Sweden -- 2008 Review, 148 pages, ISBN 978-92-64-04333-6, paper €75, PDF €60 (2008) Sweden is one of the leading IEA countries in the use of renewable energy and has a long tradition of ambitious and successful policies to improve energy efficiency. Compared to the other IEA countries, Sweden’s CO2 emissions per capita and per unit of GDP are low, partly owing to efficient and low-carbon space heating, and virtually carbon-free electricity generation. The country also remains a forerunner in electricity market liberalisation. Still, even if Sweden has continued to make progress in most areas of its energy policy since the IEA last conducted an in-depth review in 2004, there is room for improvement
As Sweden plans to further increase the use of renewable energy, it is crucial that these supplies are produced and used in the most sustainable manner for the environment and the economy as a whole. With regard to CO2 emissions, more can be done in all sectors, but as transport is the largest polluter and its emissions are increasing, it is the logical focus for Sweden’s efforts to reduce emissions further. This is a significant challenge.
Nuclear provides almost half of the electricity in Sweden, at a low cost and without CO2 emissions. But the future of nuclear power in the national power mix is still uncertain. To provide clear guidance to the electricity sector, Sweden will need to resolve the ambiguity about the future of nuclear power in the country.
This review analyses the energy challenges facing Sweden and provides critiques and recommendations for further policy improvements. It is intended to provide input to Swedish energy policy makers to help them identify a path towards a more sustainable energy future.
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Promoting Energy Efficiency Investments -- Case Studies in the Residential Sector, 324 pages, ISBN 978-92-64-04214-8, paper €100, PDF €80 (2008) Out of print - available in PDF only.
Existing buildings are responsible for over 40% of the world’s total primary energy consumption. An impressive amount of energy could be saved simply by applying energy-efficient technologies.
Yet, various market barriers inhibit energy efficiency improvements in existing buildings and result in energy savings that are significantly lower than potentials. Financial barriers -- including the initial cost barrier, risk exposure, discount-factor issues and the inadequacy of traditional financing mechanisms for energy-efficient projects -- play a major role. Policies that may help to overcome financial barriers to improving energy efficiency in existing residential buildings are the focus of this study.
The publication provides illustrations of policies and measures implemented in five IEA member countries and the European Union. Each case includes relevant background and contextual information, as well as a detailed evaluation of each policy according to five pre-defined criteria: relevance, effectiveness, flexibility, clarity and sustainability.
Promoting Energy Efficiency Investments aims to inform policy makers and offers ideas on the most effective policies, programmes and measures available to improve energy efficiency in existing residential buildings.
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries - Switzerland -- 2007 Review, 128 pages, ISBN 978-92-64-03069-5, PDF €0 (2007)FREE DOWNLOAD: Switzerland
Switzerland is entering decisive times in its energy policy. In 2008, the country should see remarkable advance in electricity market reform. Support for renewable electricity is set to increase massively. Decisions on post-Kyoto targets are getting closer, and a CO2 tax will be introduced for heating and process fuels. Plus, new measures to increase energy efficiency and the broader use of renewable energy are high on the political agenda.
Since the last in-depth review in 2003, Switzerland has made progress in most areas of energy policy. Still, more work remains to be done. Maintaining sufficient electricity capacity implies even stronger policies to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. At the same time, the country will also need to decide which sources to use for large-scale power supply.
High dependency on oil can become a burden in a post-Kyoto world. In particular, Switzerland’s climate policy should focus more on reducing emissions from private car use, the largest and fastest-growing emitter. Current measures have not proven effective, and the costs of reducing CO2 emissions are being distorted across sectors.
Switzerland’s world-class energy R&D is expected to more than halve energy needs per capita by the second half of this century. This ambitious goal needs to be supported by consistent policies on energy efficiency and climate change.
This book takes an in-depth look at the energy challenges facing Switzerland and provides critiques and recommendations for policy improvements. The review guides the country towards a sustainable energy future.
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Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Generation -- Case studies of recently constructed coal- and gas-fired plants, 176 pages, ISBN 978-92-64-03908-7, PDF €0 (2007)FREE DOWNLOAD: Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Generation
To meet future energy demand growth and replace older or inefficient units, a large number of fossil fuel-fired plants will be required to be built worldwide in the next decade. Yet CO2 emissions from fossil-fired power generation are a major contributor to climate change. As a result, new plants must be designed and operated at highest efficiency both to reduce CO2 emissions and to facilitate deployment of CO2 capture and storage in the future.
The series of case studies in this report, which respond to a request to the IEA from the G8 Summit in July 2005, were conducted to illustrate what efficiency is achieved now in modern plants in different parts of the world using different grades of fossil fuels. The plants were selected from different geographical areas, because local factors influence attainable efficiency. The case studies include pulverized coal combustion (PCC) with both subcritical and supercritical (very high pressure and temperature) steam turbine cycles, a review of current and future applications of coal-fuelled integrated gasification combined cycle plants (IGCC), and a case study of a natural gas fired combined cycle plant to facilitate comparisons.
The results of these analyses show that the technologies for high efficiency (low CO2 emission) and very low conventional pollutant emissions (particulates, SO2, Nox) from fossil fuel-fired power generation are available now through PCC, IGCC or NGCC at commercially acceptable cost.
This report contains comprehensive technical and indicative cost information for modern fossil fuel-fired plants that was previously unavailable. It serves as a valuable sourcebook for policy makers and technical decision makers contemplating decisions to build new fossil fuel-fired power generation plants.
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries - Ireland -- 2007 Review, 154 pages, ISBN 978-92-64-02562-2, PDF €0 (2007)FREE DOWNLOAD: Ireland
Ireland’s remarkable economic growth over the last 15 years had strong effects on the energy sector. Due to rapidly increasing demand, Ireland has become much more dependent on international energy markets than it was in the past. For Irish energy policy, 2007 is a watershed year. It marks the end of the transition in market liberalisation with the introduction of a unified national electricity market. In addition, the publication of a new energy policy should help to ensure future security of supply and bring environmental improvements of energy use.
Ireland is highly dependent on oil and increasingly dependent on natural gas. The price of these two commodities has strongly increased recently, which results in a heavy burden for the Irish economy and a risk for energy security. The main alternative in the supply side is coal and peat, which causes greenhouse gas emissions to rise much faster than expected.
This review analyses the energy challenges facing Ireland and suggests solutions, focussing on moving ahead with market reform and increasing the energy efficiency of the Irish economy. Establishing the “All-Island” electricity market will be of critical importance. Sharper focus on energy efficiency in all sectors of the economy, but in particular in transport and buildings, must be a priority. Finally, to achieve its ambitious goals for renewables in energy supply, Ireland will have to provide ample resources for research and development, to allow technologies such as ocean power to move from the laboratory to the market.
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries - Germany -- 2007 Review, 184 pages, ISBN 978-92-64-02223-2, PDF €0 (2007)FREE DOWNLOAD: Germany
Few countries can have as great an impact on energy policy in Europe as Germany. Its large size and strategic location make it a critical component of the region’s energy markets – as a result, sound energy policies and strong energy market design are a necessity. In these respects, Germany continues to make notable progress. The country has continued to reform its electricity and natural gas markets, set a timetable to phase out coal subsidies, is meeting key climate and environmental targets and is bringing energy, efficiency and environment to the top of the world agenda with its presidencies of both the G8 and European Union. The International Energy Agency (IEA) praises these efforts.
Nevertheless, work remains to be done to further improve German energy policies and markets. The planned phase-out of nuclear power over the coming years would have major impacts on the country’s energy mix, raising concerns about energy security, economic efficiency and environmental sustainability for the country and for Europe as a whole. Furthermore, though progress has been made, more needs to be done to set a truly level playing field for competition to develop in gas and electricity markets, which means effective unbundling of transport activities and a strongly empowered regulatory authority. Finally, the country’s environmental policies, though helping meet ambitious goals, are expensive – and sometimes various policies work at cross-purposes.
This book takes an in-depth look at the energy challenges facing Germany, and through comparisons with good examples in other IEA countries, provides critiques and recommendations for policy improvements. The review guides the country towards a sustainable energy future.
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