Activites

• 2004/02/21 Final act published in Official Journal
  • Directive 2004/8
  • OJ L 052 21.02.2004, p. 0050-0060
• 2004/02/12 Final act signed
• 2004/02/11 End of procedure in Parliament
• #2558
• 2004/01/26 Council Meeting
• 2003/12/18 Decision by Parliament, 2nd reading
  • T5-0592/2003 summary

    The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the draft by Norbert GLANTE (PES, D), approving 20 compromise amendments agreed following intensive talks with the Council and designed to avoid Conciliation. The deal covers the definition of CHP, micro-cogeneration, timetables, calculation methods of cogenerated energy and targets. The compromise amendments replace the amendments adopted by the Industry Committee. (Please see the previous document.) The rapporteur stated that the negotiations with the Council had been very complicated, because some Member States, who did not want a directive at all, were threatening to block negotiations. Parliament, however, made major concessions so that the directive could be adopted before the European Parliamentary elections in June 2004, thus enabling a framework to be put in place for the development of a cogeneration policy and putting CHP on the political agenda in Europe. The draft directive lays the basis for a common understanding and harmonised definition of CHP. As part of the deal, the Council finally accepted Parliament's proposed definition of micro-cogeneration as being cogeneration unit with a maximum capacity below 50kW e. Under the directive, Member States may simplify micro-plants' access to local electricity grids. The owners of small and micro-plants can use certified values instead of measured data for the calculation of primary energy savings. Thus, the administration burdens for them are reduced. One of the most important points in the negotiations related to calculation methods for cogenerated energy. Parliament was initially keen for a single harmonised calculation method to be laid down but finally agreed to the Council's wish to allow alternative calculation methods, which may now be used either until 2010 or even for an unlimited period. At the same time, Parliament endorsed the Commission's proposal for a two-step approach to defining cogenerated electricity and ensuring that the promoted cogeneration really provides primary energy savings. Parliament and Council also agreed that the Commission would, if necessary, submit proposals for further harmonisation of calculation methods. In addition, harmonised methods for the calculation of cogenerated energy should be adjustable to take account of technical progress. Instead of having binding targets, both institutions have also accepted that Member States should be obliged to evaluate their national potential for cogeneration and report to the Commission. The Commission will complete the analysis, and if necessary, submit an action plan to develop cogeneration further.�

• 2003/12/17 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• 2003/12/02 Vote in committee, 2nd reading
  • A5-0457/2003
• 2003/09/24 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 2nd reading
• 2003/09/08 Council position published
  • 10345/2/2003 summary

    The Council's common position incorporates in substance, partially or in principle 24 of the amendments adopted by the European Parliament, all of which are acceptable for the Commission. The main changes introduced by the Council are as follows: - Clarification of the objective of the Directive : the aim of increasing energy efficiency and improving security of supply should be reached through the promotion of "high efficiency" cogeneration. - Definitions : the common position maintains those definitions necessary for the understanding of the provisions of this proposal, and it clarifies and simplifies them in coherence with the enacting provisions. - Efficiency criteria : while the Commission proposal invited Member States to adopt efficiency reference values for separate production of heat and electricity, the common position makes clear that it is up to the Commission, based on the methodology for determining efficiency of cogeneration and primary energy savings set out in Annex III, to establish harmonised efficiency reference values for separate production of electricity and heat. - Guarantee of origin : on the basis of these harmonised efficiency reference values, Member States ensure the possibility of issuing a guarantee of origin thus enabling producers to demonstrate that the electricity is produced from "high efficiency" cogeneration. This guarantee should be mutually recognised by Member States, exclusively as proof, and does not lead in itself to commercial exchanges. Schemes for the guarantee of origin do not by themselves imply a right to benefit from national support mechanisms established in different Member States. - Grid system and tariff issues : in order to clarify the relation between this Directive and Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/54/EC, the common position provides that for transmission and distribution of electricity from "high efficiency" cogeneration the provisions of Article 7 (paragraphs 1, 2 and 5) of the Directive on the promotion of electricity from renewable energy sources (2001/77/EC) as well as the relevant provisions of Directive 2003/54/EC shall apply, while Member States may facilitate in particular access to the grid of electricity for "high efficiency" small scale cogeneration units. - Reporting from Member States and Commission : consistency of these provisions has been improved and they have been made less burdensome. - Alternative calculations : in order to create the necessary flexibility, Member States may, under certain strict conditions, use other methods or definitions than those provided for in Annex II, or define "high efficiency" cogeneration on an alternative basis than the one set out in Annex III. However, it is made clear that a guarantee of origin can only be issued in accordance with Annexes II and III. - Review of threshold values : the values established for the definition of electricity from cogeneration in Annex II, as well as those used for the calculation of efficiency of cogeneration and primary energy savings (Annex III) are subject to review through a Comitology procedure. - Committee procedure : with a view to further adaptation ofreference and threshold values to i.a. technical progress, the common position provided for a Comitology procedure. - Annex II (Definition of electricity from cogeneration): more flexibility has been given to Member States for alternative determinations of the "power to heat ratio", for the subtraction of the energy share recovered in chemicals and of the reporting periods provided for in this Annex. - Annex III (Methodology for determining the efficiency of cogeneration production): In line with the approach establishing that cogeneration units have to be compared with reference values reflecting the best available and economically justifiable technology on the market in the year of their construction (units older than ten years being compared with values of ten years old units) the criterion for "high efficiency" cogeneration production is to provide primary energy savings of at least 10%. This Annex also sets out the formula to be used by Member States which follow alternative calculation methods. The amendments accepted by the Council : - recall that European Parliament called for incentives to encourage a shift towards efficient energy production plants, including combined heat and power; - recall that for the improvement of the energy performance of new buildings with a surface of more than 1000 m2, the consideration of alternative systems, such as CHP, should be taken into account before the construction starts; - specify that criteria are set up to determine and assess the energy efficiency of cogeneration; - delete the reference to a 50MW threshold value for the possible benefit of public support measures; - clarify that the long term objective of the Directive, i.e. the establishment of a harmonised calculation of electricity from cogeneration, should be pursued taking into account methodologies such as those under development by European Standardisation Organisations; - delete the reference to three different categories of cogeneration defined in terms of temperature levels; - specify that the purpose of the Directive is to increase energy efficiency and improve security of supply by creating a framework for promotion and development of high efficiency cogeneration of heat and power based on useful heat demand and primary energy savings; - delete of the definitions of industrial, heating and agricultural cogeneration, as well as of the definitions of district heating and cooling clarifies the definition of the cogeneration process; - clarify that the definition of "useful heat" shall mean heat produced in a cogeneration process to satisfy an economically justifiable demand for heat or cooling; - specify that the Commission shall establish harmonised reference values for separate production of electricity and heat, in accordance with the Comitology procedure provided for in the Directive; - delete the Member States' obligation to set efficiency reference values and principles for defining national efficiency reference values for separate production of heat and electricity; - delete the reference to possible further harmonisation of the criteria for determining the efficiency of cogeneration; - establish a Comitology procedure for review and adaptationpurposes; - specify details in the calculation methodology of the overall efficiency (Annex II c)); - specify the content of the analysis of national potentials for high efficiency cogeneration (Annex IV a)); - provide for an assessment of the cost effectiveness - in terms of primary energy savings - of increasing the share of high-efficiency cogeneration in the national energy mix (Annex IV, b)); - specify that the analysis of national cogeneration potentials shall be made in relation to different timeframes and include, where feasible, appropriate cost estimates for each of the timeframes (Annex IV c)).�

• 2003/07/23 Modified legislative proposal published
  • COM(2003)0416 summary

    The European Commission has submitted an amended proposal, which takes into consideration many of the amendments made by the Parliament. These include the following: - the three categories of cogeneration are deleted, as they were criticised as not needed in the European Parliament as well as in the Council; - there is a new definition of "micro-cogeneration" as units below 50kWe; - there is a new definition saying that micro-cogeneration with an overall efficiency above 80% shall be regarded as high efficiency cogeneration. Thereby the route for approval as high efficiency cogeneration is eased because once proved above this threshold no further calculations for each unit is needed; - several timeframes are changed in order to speed up implementation. The Commission states that it can accept these changes in principle, but Member States will probably be opposed to the changes; - the Commission has introduced harmonised reference values for separate production. These will be used instead of national values. Using harmonised reference values will reduce market distortions and contribute to the creation of a level playing field. The harmonised values must be established based on comprehensive studies and including consultations with the sector. The study must be established by the Commission and finally adopted in accordance with a procedure including establishment of a Committee. As a consequence of introducing the harmonised reference values the paragraphs dealing with national reference values are deleted; - Member States' support programmes must be non-discriminatory; - transmission and distribution system operators will not be allowed to impose unrealistic connection fees for connecting cogeneration units below 1 MWe just as costs and administrative burdens must be reduced to an absolute minimum. Furthermore the production from these units must be guaranteed a fair price for electricity sold to the grid. This will establish reasonable conditions for the small-scale producers; - the Commission cannot accept the detailed calculation method with new notations. The original notations are maintained and that the power to heat ratio is defined as the capacity related power to heat ratio; -the Commission maintains the original formula for the calculation of primary energy savings.�

  • DG ['Energy and Transport'],
• #X018
• 2003/05/14 Council Meeting
• 2003/05/13 Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • T5-0202/2003 summary

    The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Norbert GLANTE (PES, Germany) and made several amendments to the Commission's proposal. (Please see the summary dated 23/04/03.) In addition: - the definition of cogeneration is amended to mean the transformation of input energy simultaneously into mechanical or electrical energy and useful heat in a technical installation. There is no division into the three classes of industrial, heating and agricultural cogeneration; - Parliament inserted a definition of "micro-cogeneration" and stated that the in-depth analysis required will not apply to micro-cogeneration since the latter is regarded as an efficient process; - Member States and their regional and local planning authorities must incorporate within their planning guidelines a requirement to consider the scope for developing district heating networks with a view to utilising the useful heating production of cogeneration units and evaluating the viability of cogeneration; - Member States must ensure that support for cogeneration is provided in a non-discriminatory way, irrespective of operators and of the use of electricity, mechanical energy or heat generated in the cogeneration installation.�

• 2003/05/12 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• 2003/04/23 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A5-0138/2003
• 2002/09/02 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• 2002/07/22 Legislative proposal published
  • COM(2002)0415 summary

    PURPOSE : to create a framework for promotion of cogeneration based on useful heat demand in the internal energy market. CONTENT : this proposal, building on the dual objectives of contributing both to security of energy supply and to climate change polices, arises from the need for reinforced efforts to promote high-efficiency cogeneration1 in the internal energy market. The overriding objective is to create a framework, which can support and facilitate the installation and proper functioning of electrical cogeneration plants where a useful heat demand exists or is foreseen. This overall objective translates into two specific aims: - in the short term, a cogeneration Directive should serve as an instrument to consolidate existing and, where feasible, promote new high-efficiency cogeneration installations in the internal energy market. In order to create a level playing field, regulatory certainty and in some cases financial support are vital for cogeneration. This applies to the current transitional phase of the liberalisation process, where the internal energy market is not fully completed and where internalisation of external costs is not reflected in energy prices. - in the medium to long term, a cogeneration Directive should serve as a means to create the necessary framework that will ensure that high-efficiency cogeneration, alongside other environmentally friendly supply options, constitutes a key element when decisions on investment in new production capacity are made. By creating a supportive framework, such cogeneration can contribute to the establishment of more diversified and energy efficient supply systems in the Community. In order to exploit the potential for cogeneration regulatory certainty and appropriate mechanisms that address the lack of internalisation of external costs are needed. The proposed Directive lays down a framework, which addresses these issues through a set of common principles for the promotion of cogeneration. The practical application of the framework will to a large extent be the responsibility of the individual Member States. However the Commission could have an important role in facilitating that EU objectives on cogeneration are met. The proposal covers the following main elements: - Guarantee of origin of electricity produced from cogeneration following the "disclosure" requirements on Directives concerning commons rules for the internal markets in electricity and natural gas; - provisions obliging Member States to analyse national potentials for highefficiency cogeneration and barriers to their realisation; - provisions for evaluating the experiences gained with the application and coexistence of different support mechanisms for cogeneration used by Member States; - provisions laying down the principles for the interaction between cogeneration producers and the electricity grid; furthermore to facilitate grid access for cogeneration units using renewable energy sources and microcogeneration plants below 1 MW(e); - provisions requiring Member States to evaluate currentadministrative procedures with a view to reducing the administrative barriers to the development of cogeneration. Lastly, to remove any ambiguity arising from existing definitions and to add transparency and coherence to the internal energy market, the Commission proposal would establish a common definition of co-generation and a flexible methodology to identify high efficient co-generation.�

  • DG ['Energy and Transport'],

Documents

• Legislative proposal published: COM(2002)0415
• Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A5-0138/2003
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T5-0202/2003
• Modified legislative proposal published: COM(2003)0416
• Council position published: 10345/2/2003
• Committee recommendation tabled for plenary, 2nd reading: A5-0457/2003
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 2nd reading: T5-0592/2003
• : Directive 2004/8
• : OJ L 052 21.02.2004, p. 0050-0060

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)