SDG17
sort by issue
Energy access: key to economic and societal development
ARE Forum focuses on integrating remote communities into economiesElectricity access is one of the key drivers for economic development, better healthcare, increased safety, education, as well as efficiency gains in agriculture and manufacturing.
Towards sustainable, Smart Communities
G7 Summit, 26-27 May 2017 in Taormina, ItalyTo mark the occasion of the 2017 G7 Summit, an article about the IEC contribution in dealing with climate change in cities and communities, written by Frans Vreeswijk, General Secretary and CEO, appears in the official G7 magazine.
IEC calls on disruptive technology for universal energy access
Announcing the LVDC Conference on Sustainable Electricity Access, 22-23 May 2017, in NairobiEnergy, and especially electricity, is the golden thread that impacts the majority of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and furthermore, the development of every nation and economy. The UN recognizes electricity access as a key pillar for economic development because it helps to reduce poverty and hunger, improves educational opportunities and enables higher quality healthcare.
Energy efficiency trickles down into large applications
Essential in energy-hungry domains such as industry and buildingsAchieving better Electrical Energy Efficiency (EEE) is a very broad task that extends well beyond the more efficient transformation of primary energy, chiefly fossil fuels, into electrical energy. It must be introduced in energy-intensive sectors like industry and buildings. Standardization work by numerous IEC Technical Committees (TCs) is central to this broader objective.
Standardization can help millions access electricity
IEC approves Systems Committee for LVDCIt has been a busy year for Systems Evaluation Group (SEG) 4: Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC) Applications, Distribution and Safety for use in Developed and Developing Economies. During the IEC 2016 General Meeting (GM) in Frankfurt, SEG 4 Convenor, Vimal Mahendru, presented a final report to the Standardization Management Board (SMB). The SMB voted in favour of the proposal to set up a Systems Committee (SyC) for LVDC and LVDC for electricity access.
Smart cities to boost energy efficiency
A wide range of technologies will help cities optimize energy useIn hundreds of smart city projects around the world, governments, municipalities and private stakeholders are investing in smart grids, open data platforms and networked transport systems to meet the challenges of environmental sustainability, population growth and urbanization.
Electricity access is key
Message from Frans Vreeswijk, IEC General Secretary & CEOIEC work impacts all aspects of life. Electricity and electronics are the cornerstone for all economies in developing and developed countries. IEC International Standards together with IEC Conformity Assessment Systems support 12 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Keeping our powered lives safe
IECEE offers an efficient system for testing the quality, performance and energy use of many electronic devicesFrom the smartphone alarm first thing in the morning to switching off the lights last thing at night, many products and systems in our daily lives run off electricity. We use the hairdryer, washing machine, stove, get on and off transport and walk through automated doors at the office, take the elevator, fire up the computer and purchase items online, expecting that everything will work reliably and safely.
Ensuring renewable energy systems are safe
IEC promotes the development of renewable sources for electricity production through standardization and certificationRenewable Energy (RE) plays an increasingly important role in providing global populations with clean, affordable, sustainable energy. RE production and use continues to increase thanks to the falling cost of equipment and installation.
The rise of renewable energies
The falling cost of equipment and installation together with increased investment are driving the growth of renewable energiesDuring the United Nations Climate Convention – 2015 Paris COP 21, it was recognized that renewable energy (RE) is a key part of the answer to achieving sustainable development and reducing the impact of climate change. Global electricity networks must adapt and include RE technologies.
Electricity access for everyone, everywhere
Facilitating rural electrification in developing and newly industrialized countriesWorld energy consumption is expected to grow by 37% by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) energy markets forecast, which assumes the continuation of existing policies and measures and their implementation.
The growing importance of global-scale renewable energy
IEC provides a framework to test and certify renewable energy technologyOver the last five years, the cost of renewable power generation technologies has dropped while the technology has improved. Biomass for power, hydropower, geothermal and onshore wind can all now provide electricity competitively compared to fossil fuel-fired power generation, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The off-grid solar revolution
Off-grid solar powered products are booming and giving millions of people access to electricityWe don’t think twice about using lights at home during the day or after dark. We have also got used to charging our smart phones wherever we are – at the airport, on a train or in the office – so that we can make online purchases, read the news, send messages, do banking or make a call. When we forget our phones or there is a blackout for an hour and we can’t watch television, use the computer or boil the kettle, we find it very annoying, but imagine if this were the norm.
Curbing electricity consumption
A globally harmonized programme for motor efficiencyElectric motors have many uses, in heavy industry, hospital generators, power tools, pumps to clean swimming pools, and many transport vehicles. Yet, they are the single biggest users of electricity, driving pumps, fans and other machines.
Building trust is a must
Focus on conformity assessment at WSC WorkshopWhat is conformity assessment (CA)? Why is it important? Why is it inevitably linked to standards? Does it really add value to products and systems? Does it have a role in fighting counterfeit goods? Does it facilitate access to markets and trade? Those are just a few of the many questions that were raised during the World Standards Cooperation (WSC) Workshop on Conformity Assessment that took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 1-2 December 2015.
Widespread risks
How best to ensure protection of industrial assets in hazardous areasContrary to preconceived ideas, hazardous areas are not the “privilege” of a few specific industry sectors. They can be found almost anywhere at any given time when certain conditions leading to the formation of an explosive atmosphere are met.
Power to the people
Be energy efficient, make a differenceOn the one hand, energy efficiency is a new way of life that requires behavioural changes on the consumer’s part. On the other, the pressure is on the manufacturers of electrical equipment and devices to produce goods that consume as little energy as possible.