The potential influence of the cooling and heating sectors on reducing energy use is well known, but this week's release by the European Commission of its strategy framework for an Energy Union is set to put energy-efficient cooling and heating center stage.

The potential for increased impact is well demonstrated by the fact that immediately following the Energy Union's publication, associations representing both cooling suppliers and heat pumps rushed out position papers underlining how the opportunity could be grasped — and noting that technology already exists in the cooling, heating and heat pump sector to make significant energy efficiency gains.

The Energy Union is itself an ambitious strategy with laudable aims, which when set out in black and white, looks idealistic and almost wistful. It refers to the "vision" thus:

"Our vision is of an Energy Union where Member States see that they depend on each other to deliver secure energy to their citizens, based on true solidarity and trust, and of an Energy Union that speaks with one voice in global affairs;

Our vision is of an integrated continent-wide energy system where energy flows freely across borders, based on competition and the best possible use of resources, and with effective regulation of energy markets at EU level where necessary;

Our vision is of the Energy Union as a sustainable, low-carbon and climate-friendly economy that is designed to last;

Our vision is of strong, innovative and competitive European companies that develop the industrial products and technology needed to deliver energy efficiency and low carbon technologies inside and outside Europe;

Our vision is of a European labor force with the skills to build and manage the energy system of tomorrow."

Behind these "visions" lies a lot of detailed strategy proposals — 15 points in fact — that are designed to move forward pan-European cooperation on energy policy, combined with a move away from fossil fuels. The document says: "We have to move away from a fragmented system characterized by uncoordinated national policies, market barriers and energy-isolated areas."

There are three keys to this:

• an integrated energy market (seeking to consolidate the current 28 national energy frameworks)
• improved security of supply, with a move away from oil towards gas, nuclear and renewables
• improved conditions for energy consumers

But the significant strategic development for the cooling and heating industries in Europe is the enshrining of energy efficiency as a contributor to reduced energy demand. To achieve the EU's target of a 27 percent improvement in energy efficiency will require a fundamental shake-up of its strategy relating to buildings, the Commission believes.

"Heating and cooling is the largest single source of energy demand in Europe, and the majority of Europe's gas imports are used for these purposes," the Commission states. "Huge efficiency gains remain to be captured with regard to district heating and cooling, which will be addressed in a Commission strategy."

But beyond pump-priming district heating and cooling, the strategy envisages much more focus on improving building efficiency, with help for financing and technology research — and, of course, given the contribution of both cooling and heating to building energy use, the two sectors will be placed front and center of development.

In its summary of the key points, it says: "Buildings have huge potential for energy efficiency gains. Retrofitting existing buildings to make them energy efficient and making full use of sustainable space heating and cooling will reduce the EU's energy import bills, reinforce energy security and cut energy costs for households and businesses. The Commission will propose a strategy to facilitate investment in heating and cooling.”

Another key plank of the Energy Union strategy is renewable energy: "The European Union is committed to becoming the world leader in renewable energy, the global hub for developing the next generation of technically advanced and competitive renewable energies. The EU has also set an EU target of at least 27 percent for the share of renewable energy consumed in the EU in 2030."

But here there is a significant omission — there is no separate consideration of heat pumps among the discussion of solar PV and wind power. This is something the European Heat Pump Association is keen to put right, in the position paper it released shortly afterward:

"The Energy Union project was given high political momentum after a heating crisis (resulting from a fear for a shortage of gas). Consequently, the Energy Union should give primary consideration to secure, efficient, sustainable and comprehensive solutions for heating.

"These solutions are already available in the short and the medium term and can help meeting the objectives of the Energy Union (sustainability, security of supply and competitiveness). They should be considered, promoted and even prioritized over other policy measures."

When it comes to buildings, too, the EHPA believes that technology can play a significant role. The group also wants a level playing field in terms of energy subsidies.

The final part of the equation is research, and the strategy says research and innovation "must be at the very heart of the Energy Union." The Commission outlines four core priorities for this research, as follows:

• Being the world leader in developing the next generation of renewable energy technologies, including environment-friendly production and use of biomass and biofuels, together with energy storage;
• Facilitating the participation of consumers in the energy transition through smart grids, smart home appliances, smart cities and home automation systems;
• Efficient energy systems, and harnessing technology to make the building stock energy neutral,
• More sustainable transport systems that develop and deploy at large-scale innovative technologies and services to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

And it is this focus on buildings that representative bodies for the cooling sector have seized upon. European supplier body European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE) says:

"EPEE welcomes the focus on energy efficiency as a 'first fuel' and in particular the prioritization of the buildings sector where there is a huge saving potential. We support the European Commission’s plan to put a stronger policy focus on the heating, cooling and refrigeration applications in buildings. These applications constitute a major part of the energy consumption as well as direct electricity consumption and may therefore contribute enormously to energy savings in the buildings sector."

EPEE is also keen to stress that there are already many cooling and heating products available that "enable significant energy savings through energy efficiency."

These are only the earliest reactions to the new strategy framework. More associations will inevitably add their perspective in the coming days and weeks.

What is clear is that there is now a will from the European policymakers to provide a legislative framework — and crucial investment — to smarter integrated energy networks and to energy efficient technology. And that can only be good news for cooling and heating suppliers.

The challenge, however, will be to put policies in place that will force the hand of the building owners and operators to take up the more energy-efficient technology.