IEA report shows how to achieve dramatic energy savings in the buildings sector by 2050

A new report from the International Energy Agency released today shows how heating and cooling technologies that are energy-efficient and that emit little or no carbon dioxide can dramatically reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions within residential, commercial and public buildings, a sector that currently accounts for around one-third of total final energy consumption.

The report focuses on four key technology options for heating and cooling in buildings:

• Active solar thermal systems, wherein water is heated by the sun for space, or, more commonly, for sanitary hot water use
• Combined heat and power systems, which simultaneously produce heat and electricity for use in the building or for sale to the grid (the heat produced can be used for space or water heating, and even cooling with a thermally driven chiller)
• Heat-pump systems (such as air conditioners), which have high end-use efficiencies and can be designed to produce heat and/or cold, and depending on system design, produce these simultaneously
• Thermal energy storage, which facilitates greater use of renewable energy, enables optimal operation of heating and cooling systems, and provides increased flexibility in balancing energy systems.

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Source: International Energy Agency
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