The first Greek pilot case done in ENEFIRST Plus investigated how to implement the Energy Efficiency First principle in the process of heating and cooling plans.
More specifically, it was focused on enhancing the comprehensive assessment on heating and cooling (cf. Article 25(1) and Annex X of the Energy Efficiency Directive).
In this context, the pilot case assessed the costs and benefits of energy efficiency and RES (Renewable Energy Sources) interventions compared to additional investments for natural gas or other conventional fuel infrastructure in terms.
One of the key specific objectives is to avoid potential stranded assets and other negative consequences when natural gas or other conventional fuel infrastructure cannot be justified by the cost-benefit analysis, when considering multiple impacts and a long-term perspectives.
In addition, the Greek pilot case facilitated the identification of demand-side resources that could partly or fully substitute natural gas or other conventional fuel infrastructures and compare them with other types of planned infrastructures more energy efficient and beneficial for the whole society.
The analysis led to the conclusions that:
• All the examined energy efficiency options in residential buildings have a benefit-cost ratio higher than one, with the exception of efficient biomass and natural gas boilers: this demonstrates the positive impact of energy efficiency options to the social welfare.
• The installation of aerothermal heat pumps for the coverage of the heating demand only has the highest performance compared to the interventions in the building envelope and the other alternative systems.
• The potential combination of aerothermal heat pumps with interventions in the building envelope and PV systems leads to slightly similar results demonstrating that its selection can be justified from the social perspective.
More details and results in the pilot case factsheet!