The Eurostat energy balances (and similar statistics) do only provide an incomplete picture of the EU heating and cooling (H/C) sector. Data is scattered, incomplete (e.g. for non-commercial biomass) or simply not available (e.g. for energy demand by end-use; see WP1). At the same time, H/C accounts for the major share of final energy demand in Europe.

And, thus, is an important determinant for central energy policy goals like climate change mitigation and security of energy supply. Increasing the share of renewable energies in H/C can substantially reduce the greenhouse gas emissions as well as the import dependency on fossil fuels. Based on this background and the Commission’s needs, our study has the following objectives.

1. Develop a detailed, consistent and complete energy balance for the H/C sector by country (“quantities, types and qualities of the fuels which are used”)
   
2. Provide an overview of the H/C conversion technologies currently in use throughout Europe with regard to the total stock and techno-economic parameters
3. Assess future trajectories for the diffusion of renewable energy sources in H/C until 2020 and 2030 based on scenario analysis
4. Assess the economic impacts of faster deployment of renewable energy sources
5. Identify the main barriers and bottlenecks that slow down a faster diffusion of renewable energy sources and provide policy recommendations

The project was finalized in Autumn 2016 and first results have been published by the European Commission (exec. summary ; Results WP1 - Final Energy Demand 2012; Results WP2 - Technology Assessment 2012 )