EWE provides efficient energy usage tools
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions trading began on 1 January 2005 in the European Union. While the energy sector and industrial companies are currently free to participate in emissions trading, it is not open to private households yet. Private households emit around 160 million tonnes of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year, accounting for a significant amount of all CO2 emissions. For this reason EWE launched a pilot project in collaboration with the district of Emsland in 2006 which will allow private households to trade CO2 reduction certificates in the future. The project is the only one of its kind in the country.
Around 150 homeowners are taking part in the research project, which is scheduled to last four years. Participants are given CO2 credits for emissions which they manage to reduce via energy efficiency measures. These credits are paid out to the owners through a fund. EWE and the district of Emsland are using the project to establish an important basis for evaluating CO2 reduction certificates in private households and send a clear message about the importance of climate protection.
Another innovation for private customers is the EWE Box, which allows EWE customers to look at detailed information about their electricity and natural gas usage whenever they wish. EWE developed the innovative energy measurement and information system with the help of the Frauenhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. The EWE Box is being put through field tests in 2008. ISE scientists and EWE engineers are not only testing the technology, but also have their eye on other aspects of the Box, particularly new tariff models such as electricity and natural gas tariffs which change depending on the time of day.
Around 150 homeowners are taking part in the research project, which is scheduled to last four years. Participants are given CO2 credits for emissions which they manage to reduce via energy efficiency measures. These credits are paid out to the owners through a fund. EWE and the district of Emsland are using the project to establish an important basis for evaluating CO2 reduction certificates in private households and send a clear message about the importance of climate protection.
Another innovation for private customers is the EWE Box, which allows EWE customers to look at detailed information about their electricity and natural gas usage whenever they wish. EWE developed the innovative energy measurement and information system with the help of the Frauenhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. The EWE Box is being put through field tests in 2008. ISE scientists and EWE engineers are not only testing the technology, but also have their eye on other aspects of the Box, particularly new tariff models such as electricity and natural gas tariffs which change depending on the time of day.
The EWE Box will allow customers to keep an eye on their energy consumption around the clock.