Renewable Energy Advocates Call for Greater Diversity in Heating Solutions

Leading voices in the renewable energy sector highlighted a significant gap in the current green-heating solutions, pointing out the need for a broader range of technologies to achieve carbon neutrality. Organizations such as Bioenergy Europe, the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC), and Solar Heat Europe have voiced their concerns over the reliance on heat pumps as the sole solution for reducing emissions. They argue for a more diversified approach that includes solar thermal, solar panels, and geothermal energy as part of the emission-reduction strategies.

Despite supporting the European Commission’s ambitious goal to reduce net carbon emissions by 90% by 2040, these groups emphasize the importance of integrating various clean energy forms. Pedro Dias, Head of Policy at Solar Heat Europe, stressed that residential buildings are a major energy consumer in the EU, yet solar thermal’s contribution remains minimal at 1.5%. Dias advocates for hybrid energy systems, which have been largely overlooked in the EU’s decarbonization strategy, highlighting a missed opportunity for facilitating decarbonization.

Jean-Marc Jossart, Secretary-General of Bioenergy Europe, called for a pragmatic approach towards the 2040 emissions target, pointing out biomass as an efficient, affordable, and widely available renewable energy source for heating. Similarly, Sanjeev Kumar, Head of Policy at EGEC, expressed disappointment with the commission’s omission of geothermal energy in its climate target proposal. He remains hopeful for a strategy that embraces a diverse and dedicated approach to renewable energy, especially in the wake of European Parliament support.

The call for diversification also extends to the implementation of subtargets for carbon capture storage and utilization, as well as for heating decarbonization efforts. Such measures are seen as essential for providing clarity to investors and supporting the broader goal of carbon neutrality.

With the 2040 target set, EU officials and diplomats acknowledge the importance of involving the public in climate change remediation efforts, amidst growing political unrest and protests. The push for renewable energy is not confined to heating but is also making inroads into sectors like the recreational marine industry, where companies like Vision Marine Technologies Inc. are developing electric outboard powertrains to replace fossil-fuel-powered outboards, further emphasizing the diverse applications of clean energy technologies in combating climate change.