What is the MICAT Project?
MICAT – Multiple Impacts Calculation Tool – is a project that aims to develop a comprehensive approach to estimate Multiple Impacts of Energy Efficiency (MI-EE) by co-creating a free, easy-to-use, scientifically sound online tool (MICATool). The MICATool will enable holistic analyses of MI-EE at the European, national and local levels to strengthen the climate strategy of the Energy Union and accelerate an affordable and just sustainable energy transition by addressing the challenges and needs of important target groups: policy makers, practitioners and evaluators.
The MICATool seeks to enable policy-makers and practitioners to conduct simplified analyses for different data and policy scenarios, in order to compare and assess the relevance of the multiple impacts, and strengthen reporting and monitoring at the three governance levels. This can be used to report on target progress at the EU level, for Integrated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) or other reporting requirements at national levels, as well as in local reporting on energy efficiency within Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs).
There is still significant potential to improve energy efficiency within all sectors and levels where measures can be applied. In the face of the often cited “energy efficiency gap”, even the profitable potential is not fully exploited. By highlighting the additional value of energy efficiency measures and investments, Multiple Impacts could help close this gap and facilitate better energy-relevant decisions and policy-making.
DURATION OF THE PROJECT
MICAT's final conference
Date
Tue, 24.10.2023, 10:30 Uhr - Wed, 25.10.2023, 18:00 Uhr
RE-energising Europe – Understanding the future of energy demand and its policy implications through new societal trends, behavioural aspects and multiple benefits – Discussions, high-level panels, poster session and field visit organised by 7 EU-funded projects! Taking place in Brussels (Atelier 29) on 24-25 October, the event is bringing together speakers from EU institutions, project representatives and key players of the energy market.
Key topics related to energy in Europe will be tackled including but not limited to:
- community energy,
- energy efficiency,
- multiple benefits,
- women-led initiatives,
- energy behaviour and
- new trends of energy consumption (digitalisation, circular economy and more).
You still have time to register for the final conference!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
MICAT’s methodological approach builds on existing concepts for quantifying energy efficiency impacts and the role of the Multiple Impacts of EE. Previous research has revealed that a wide range of impacts occur in tandem with an increase in energy efficiency when energy efficiency measures are implemented. They can be categorised into three main categories: social (health benefits or poverty alleviation), environmental (energy savings and reduced GHG emissions) and economic impacts (positive macro-economic impacts on economic growth, employment, innovation and competitiveness). The assessment of Multiple Impacts of EE measures within MICAT will also follow these categories.
The development of the MICATool can only be done properly in cooperation with experts, policy makers, representatives of public administrations and institutions, universities and institutes, businesses and civil society. Involving interested stakeholders in the development activities of MICATool will ensure that the results being created are not only credible, but also relevant, legitimate, and useful for informing further policymaking at all three levels. Moreover, engaging users from the beginning generates trust between stakeholders and with the tool itself, as the MICAT team will be able to tailor the MICATool to the users’ needs while simultaneously providing trainings to exploit the tool to its full potential.
The engagement process will provide feedback to the developing team on all steps of the MICATool within three major moment of exchange:
Step 1: Embedding of the analysis in the energy & climate strategy (scenarios/policies) – November ‘21
Step 2: Analysis of underlying assumptions and methodology of the MICATool – Autumn ‘22
Step 3: Implementation of the MICATool & trainings – Summer ‘23
To date, Steps 1 and 2 have been carried out at all levels, with progress being made towards Step 3.
MICAT Pilot Cities
Click on the images below to learn more about the MICAT pilot cities.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT THE MICAT PROJECT AT A GLANCE?
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The REFEREE project – Real ValuE oF EneRgy EfficiEncyConducting – will analyse and assess the direct and indirect non-energy effects of energy efficiency investments and develop user-friendly tools to support policymakers at the local, regional and national levels. The project will allow households, companies, financing institutions and other stakeholders to assess the multiple effects of their energy efficiency decisions and include the assessment of energy efficiency investments in diverse ecosystems, including low-income regions and socially imbalanced societies.
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To support investor decision-making, the EENVEST project will convert buildings’ energy-efficiency technical requirements into economic indicators for use in assessing financial risks related to deep renovation investment. Through a search and match investment evaluation web-based platform, the finance industry will be able to match energy efficiency investment demand and offer for Italy and Spain’s commercial office buildings. In addition to evaluation methods for linking technical and financial risk, the project will identify, quantify and mitigate technical risks connected with such investments and lower lenders’ credit cost via tailored risk reduction activities.
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ABOUT THE M-Benefits PROJECT
The M-Benefits project – Valuing and Communicating Multiple Benefits of Energy-Efficiency Measures – aimed to include the Multiple Benefits (MB) of energy efficiency in investment decisions of companies and thereby substantially increasing the deployment of cost-effective energy saving potentials. It delivered best-practice examples, tools and trainings on the importance of MBs for investment decisions in companies, thereby addressing all relevant decision-makers.
Duration: 01/03/2018-30/06/2021 | Grant Agreement number: 785131
ABOUT THE COMBI PROJECT
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- the energy system (grid, supply-side, energy security).
Duration: 01/03/2015-30/02/2018 | Grant Agreement number: 649724
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