Accueil / Newsletters / ACIDD - Newsletter English n°8 - January 2009
FEDARENE : Interview with Dominique Bourges: “Initial developments in home automation have paved the way”
FEDARENE is the premier European network of regional and local organisations which implement, co-ordinate and facilitate energy and environment policies. The network is a privileged monitor of the practices adopted by the various countries of Europe. Herewith a review of the network with its General secretary.
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FEDARENE’s primary mission is to promote exchange between European regions on energy and the environment, with the aim of fostering policies that endorse sustainable energy. In this context, FEDARENE sees energy efficiency as the number one priority, the cornerstone of a sustainable vision of energy. FEDARENE therefore promotes the most successful energy efficiency initiatives across the EU. The activities can be very diverse and can address an array of sectors: improving the energy performance of buildings, minimising the lighting of public spaces, promoting cogeneration, raising public awareness and educating the young, developing travel plans to cut down on transport energy consumption, financial engineering to fund energy efficiency projects…
Where does Europe stand on energy? Where are the greatest difficulties and why?
What a vast topic! Let’s just say that Europe’s energy architecture was conceived during an era when neither the over-exploitation of resources (oil, gas, and so forth) nor the purchase of fuel beyond Europe’s borders appeared to pose any problems. Neither was any thought given to the cost to the environment! This first oil-related shocks of the 1970s, followed by the emergence of the concept of sustainability, the Kyoto protocol and the accumulation of crises (up to and including the recent gas crisis) all suggest the need for systematic reform.
The need to diversify the energy basket has become evident. We also think we should be integrating more of a bottom-up approach into Europe’s energy policies and moving towards a better balance between demand and offer and towards the promotion of local energy production based on renewable resources. Evolution such as this would be good for the environment, but it would also allow us to reduce our reliance and would offer serious prospects for economic development and job creation.
You are monitoring European practices. Which initiatives or policies would you say are of particular relevance in terms of energy efficiency?
Every initiative or policy has to be placed in its context. At the European level, the ‘reframing’ of the directive on the energy performance of buildings currently under discussion is certainly a step in the right direction. Buildings are responsible for 40 per cent of our energy consumption, so the potential savings are vast. At regional and local levels, I would like to highlight initiatives such as the creation of ‘energy info-points’ that sensitise and guide the public, and zero-interest loans. Very interesting initiatives are also being developed in partnership with industry (lost heat recovery, cogeneration, and so forth), and we are also noticing support for the development of an energy efficiency sector within regional clusters.
In what areas are ICTs most commonly used to promote energy efficiency? And how?
Without a doubt, this is an area in the throes of development. Initial developments in home automation have paved the way by facilitating the remote management and/or automation of heating, lighting and so forth. These days smart meters are becoming more and more relevant. Like traditional meters, they log consumption, but record far more data for a much more detailed picture. What is more, you can also network these devices and send the recorded information to other devices. Their use will eventually facilitate the collective management of consumption. The use of smart meters is also planned for large-scale energy transmission infrastructures – improved management would help minimise losses. Finally, ICTs can also be used to optimise the energy efficiency of industrial processes.
Why are you involved in the ICT for EE network?
The use of ICT for energy efficiency is a subject of great importance for the future and a promising sector. Numerous members of FEDARENE are interested in it. Moreover, the network ICTforEE attaches great importance to actors and regional and local contexts, which are equally in keeping with FEDARENE's objectives. The network ICTforEE is an opportunity to encourage exchange and lead in-depth reflection on the topic of ITC and energy efficiency. We hope to contribute to it through our extensive network and through FEDARENE’s reservoir of experience. Amongst the project’s thematic priorities, we would want to devote a major part of our contribution to ‘behavioural changes’, a priority which to us appears crucial, but one which is considered all too rarely.
www.fedarene.org