National and international platforms for managing energy efficiency indicators

Indicators can be described as data that measure results and thus assist in organization and decision-making. The use of precise methodologies combined with good data validation defines the robustness and reliability of these . Specifically regarding energy efficiency (EE), indicators are fundamental for the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of public policies, seeking the effectiveness, efficacy, and efficiency of such policies.

The current scenario shows a more immediate need to improve the country's energy efficiency indexes to meet the deadlines set by the Paris Agreement for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Thus, there is still a certain lack of disclosure of more diverse data and in more expressive detail. In this sense, one of the high-priority actions in the proposal of the Ten-Year Energy Efficiency Plan (2021) is the creation of a Integrated Information System on Energy Efficiency (SI²E²) capable of providing truthful data and information for proposals and actions related to Energy Efficiency.

In this context, having a structured database (from collection, production, and maintenance) is essential for the possibility and provision of energy efficiency actions. There is a need for the existence of so-called Indicator Management Systems, i.e., standardized databases that improve the quality, dissemination, and discussion of information related to the topic.

On the international scene, the following Management Systems can be highlighted:

• International Energy Agency (IEA): Covers a variety of programs and initiatives such as collecting, evaluating, and disseminating energy statistics. Besides being a reference in developing indicators, the agency has transparency and robustness in its methodological concept.

• Odyssee: Consists of a complete database, which includes indicators accessible in different tools intended to evaluate the energy efficiency performance in European Union countries, among others. However, it is necessary to register on the platform, and free access is available only to partners.

• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA): An intergovernmental agency that provides access to comprehensive and updated data and statistics on renewable energy. The sources that feed the database can serve as a basis for formulating indicators, as the platform does not provide them.

• World BankWorld Bank: The DataBank is an analysis and visualization tool with diverse information, enabling the creation of tables, graphs, and maps.

Brazil has been taking action in the area of energy efficiency through programs such as the National Electric Energy Conservation Program (PROCEL), Energy Efficiency Program (PEE), Brazilian Labeling Program (PBE), among others, as well as private initiatives. All these activities provide important information, in addition to encouraging the allocation of resources to the sector and thus contributing to the decarbonization of the Brazilian energy matrix.

Specifically regarding indicator management systems in Brazil, national platforms already exist that contribute to the dissemination of data in the energy and energy efficiency sectors:

• Energy Information System (SIEnergia): Belonging to the Energy Research Office (EPE), the system presents specific energy studies through databases, processes, models, and interactive reports.

• Brazil's Energy Information System (SIEBrasil): A platform holding extensive information on the country's energy statistics. It allows everything from data collection and storage to the publication and dissemination of information among agencies, energy sector agents, and society. The data is frequently updated, from the 1970s to the present day. The system, besides providing indicators, also allows for their construction.

• Energy Efficiency Monitor (MonitorEE): Gathers energy efficiency data, indicators, and analyses. The portal is a civil society initiative to understand and track the gains and lessons learned from innovative EE actions in Brazil. The first module of MonitorEE focuses on the Energy Efficiency Program (PEE) of the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL), resulting from a project started in 2018 by the International Energy Initiative (IEI Brasil).

Upon briefly analyzing the success factors of the mentioned platforms, unanimity was noted regarding methodological clarity and the sources feeding the databases. However, the updating of this data can often be poor, which is considered a weak point in some cases. These cited factors are crucial examples for the construction, operation, and success of these systems.

According to studies, even with the existence of National Management Systems, there is still a gap in Brazilian public policy involving indicators. Therefore, collaboration between national institutions and stakeholders is necessary to improve results regarding energy efficiency progress in the country.

Energy Research Office (EPE), intending to monitor the advancement of energy efficiency in Brazil, developed the Energy Efficiency Atlas in partnership with the International Energy Agency (IEA). The document, first published in 2020, provides an analysis using indicators up to the year 2018. The second edition complements the previous one by adding data from 2019, such as national and international analyses of some industrial sectors, in addition to exposing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country's energy sector. Thus, EPE's role in developing a database of energy efficiency indicators in the country is highlighted.

Future actions must also consider tracking other benefits of energy efficiency, such as improvements in air quality, health and well-being, reduction of energy poverty, and job creation, for example. The IEA is already mapping and monitoring these new indicators known for their "multiple benefits," aiming to increasingly support the relevance these actions have in the context of energy transition and sustainable development.

Available at: https://www.epe.gov.br/sites-pt/sala-de-imprensa/noticias/Documents/Session%202%20-%20PT.PDF. Accessed on: Nov. 17, 2021.

Available at: https://www.epe.gov.br/sites-pt/publicacoes-dados-abertos/publicacoes/PublicacoesArquivos/publicacao-251/topico-311/DEA%20025-17%20-%20%20Indicadores%20de%20Efici%C3%AAncia%20Energ%C3%A9tica.pdf. Accessed on: Nov. 18, 2021.

Available at: https://www.indicators.odyssee-mure.eu/energy-efficiency-database.html. Accessed on: Nov. 23, 2021.

Available at: https://www.irena.org/. Accessed on: Nov. 23, 2021.

Available at: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator. Accessed on: Nov. 23, 2021.

Available at: https://www.iea.org/reports/energy-efficiency-indicators-overview. Accessed on: Nov. 23, 2021.

Available at: https://www.mme.gov.br/SIEPRASIL/. Accessed on: Nov. 23, 2021.

Available at: https://monitoree.org.br/. Accessed on: Nov. 23, 2021.

Available at: https://www.epe.gov.br/pt/publicacoes-dados-abertos/publicacoes/sienergia. Accessed on: Nov. 23, 2021.

Available at: https://www.epe.gov.br/pt. Accessed on: Nov. 23, 2021.