Conceptualising the energy efficiency first principle: insights from theory and practice

Abstract

The Energy Efficiency First (EE1st) principle has recently been placed onto the political agenda in the European Union (EU). While the general rationale for EE1st is described in EU legislation and supporting literature, a common understanding of the principle’s implications for energy-related planning, investment, and policymaking is still missing. Based on an exploratory review of the literature, the objective of this article is to improve the theoretical understanding of EE1st. First, it develops a conceptual framework, describing EE1st as a decision-making principle that prioritises demand-side resources over supply-side alternatives whenever these provide greater value to society in meeting decision objectives. Second, it highlights the unique aspects of EE1st by systematically comparing the principle with associated concepts, such as Integrated Resource Planning. Third, it provides theoretical justification for EE1st by describing the economic rationale behind the principle. Fourth, it outlines policy considerations for its practical implementation. In sum, the EE1st principle is shown to have a compelling theoretical background that can help inform the design of effective policy interventions in order to move from principle to practice.

Combining the advocacy coalition framework and argumentative discourse analysis: The case of the “energy efficiency first” principle in EU energy and climate policy

“…The EE1 principle is new as a legal institute in the EU and there are but few academic papers on its presence in policy, focusing on its potential implementation in the UK (Rosenow & Cowart, 2019) and its role as a decision-making principle that prioritizes demand-side resources over supply-side alternatives whenever these provide greater value to society in meeting decision objectives (Mandel et al, 2022;Yu et al, 2022). In addition, there is some gray literature on the EE1 principle and its application in the EU.…”

Sustainable Development Goals in BRICS and G7 countries: Increasing accomplishments through policy synergies in four dimensions

“…As a result, contemporary research on energy security has gained fresh vigor due to its crucial role in reaching SDGs proponents. A fundamental tenet of economics is that energy and the economy are related, yet differing viewpoints have not yielded a consistent result (Mandel et al, 2022). The findings of the examined nations are inconsistent in terms of economic level and developmental phases.…”

TecSB: An Open Web Tool of Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy Integration in Mexican Buildings

“…Here, the idea of energy efficiency takes on great relevance, as it is key to achieving objectives related to the sustainability of buildings. Additionally, not only using different practical measures, such as the optimal design of the building envelope [9] or efficient Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems [10], but placing the concept within the political agenda, as in the case of the Energy Efficiency First Principle in Europe, is important [11]. The latter particularly promotes solutions that regulate energy demand as long as they are more cost-effective than energy infrastructure investments.…”