Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI

Project

Ecodesign Preparatory Study for Electric Kettles

The Ecodesign Directive establishes a framework for setting requirements for energy-related products with the aim of ensuring their free movement within the internal market of the European Union.

 

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Electric kettles are kitchen appliances that produce hot water for drinks and food, using electrical heating. The preparatory study for the 2016-2019 ecodesign working plan has identified a significant energy saving potential, between 4.8 and 8.7 TWh per year (final electricity).

The Ecodesign Directive aims to improve the energy efficiency of products such as electric kettles through a framework for setting requirements for energy-related products, while ensuring the free movement of such products within the internal market of the European Union. To prepare draft implementing measures for products under this Directive, the European Commission shall make a series of analyses and assessments, which are being called Preparatory Studies. The methodology of these studies is described in the Methodology for Ecodesign of Energy-related Products (MEErP).

 

This study provides the European Commission with a technical, environmental and economical analysis of electric kettles in accordance with Article 15 of the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC. It is based on the MEErP and analyses the following areas:

  • Task 1: Scope (Definition, standards and legislation)
  • Task 2: Markets (Volumes and prices)
  • Task 3: Users (Product demand side)
  • Task 4: Technologies (Product supply side, includes both BAT and BNAT)
  • Task 5: Environment & Economics (Base case LCA & LCC)
  • Task 6: Design options (Feasibility and economics of design options)
  • Task 7: Scenarios (Policy, scenario, impact and sensitivity analysis)

Tasks 1 to 4 have a clear focus on data retrieval and initial analysis and Task 5 to 7 have a clear focus on modeling. It is prescribed that Task 1 to 4 can be performed in parallel and Task 5 to 7 sequential.

In addition, a working document (inputs for a draft regulation) was prepared and discussed at a Consultation Forum in January 2021.


 

Duration

Februar 2020 until Februar 2021

Clients

  • European Commission

Partner

  • Vito (Belgium) (Framework contract manager)

The Flemish Institute for Technological research (Belgium) is a leading European independent research and technology organisation in the areas of cleantech and sustainable development, elaborating solutions for the large societal challenges of today. VITO’s research agenda tackles the major societal challenges we are facing today. VITO focuses on five different research programmes: sustainable chemistry, energy, health, materials management and land use.