In May 2010, five Intelligent Energy - Europe (IEE) Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) projects joined forces to disseminate news and information on innovative local action that can inspire cities and regions to meet EU targets for 2020 on greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency and use of renewable energy. 

The five projects - ENNEREG, Energy for Mayors, City_SEC, come2CoM and ENESCOM, which represent more than 100 communities throughout Europe, are producing this joint newsletter in several European languages to be sent to thousands of sustainable energy actors.

Preface

With over 70% of the population living in urban areas, cities and towns use huge amounts of energy. In light of the vast energy challenges facing Europe, the European Union (EU) recognised the importance of local and regional initiatives to reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions as well as to increase the use of renewable energy.

The flagship initiative Covenant of Mayors was launched by the European Commission to offer public authorities a democratic response to climate change and to provide a platform for exchange and collaboration. The Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) Programme offers technical support to public authorities through the financing of the recently relaunched ManagEnergy portal, as well as IEE projects; the Sustainable Energy Communities projects featured in this Newsletter were financed under the 2009 call and are specifically aimed at helping communities to be, or become, members of the Covenant of Mayors.

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Five New Intelligent Energy - Europe (IEE) Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) Projects

In May 2010, five Intelligent Energy - Europe (IEE) Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) projects joined forces to disseminate news and information on innovative local action that can inspire cities and regions to meet EU targets for 2020 on greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency and use of renewable energy. 

The five projects - ENNEREG, Energy for Mayors, City_SEC, come2CoM and ENESCOM, which represent more than 100 communities throughout Europe, are producing this joint newsletter in several European languages to be sent to thousands of sustainable energy actors.

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Energy for Mayors focuses on Supporting Structures

The Energy for Mayors project is, uniquely, the first IEE co-funded project that explicitly addresses Covenant of Mayors (CoM) Supporting Structures (SSt), as well as cities and towns across Europe. Its main aim is to support the development of more sustainable energy communities across Europe, providing guidance to a number of cities and towns, as well as to Supporting Structures.

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The Energy Identity of Communities

The ENESCOM project's aim is to support 70 new Municipalities in joining the Covenant of Mayors, and to facilitate the adoption of Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs) in these municipalities. This will ensure the energy consumption habits of the concerned communities veer towards efficiency and sustainability.

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come2CoM - Sharing urban sustainable energy strategies – promoting the Covenant of Mayors

Promoting the Covenant of Mayors

The goal of come2CoM is to contribute to the successful implementation of the European initiative, the Covenant of Mayors. We will reach this goal by supporting cities and local authorities within the countries of the partner consortium to become a member of the “Covenant of Mayors” and to elaborate the requested Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAP).

In a first step, the project partners consisting of 12 committed energy agencies, energy consulting agencies and energy institutes, from 11 EU countries aim to launch a promotional campaign to inform cities and local authorities on the Covenant of Mayors and to convince them to take the lead in mitigating climate change.

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The “Greenest City” can achieve more! An example of a successful Sustainable Energy Action Plan from Växjö, Sweden

Promoting the Covenant of Mayors by offering support in developing a Sustainable Energy Action Plan is the core of the come2CoM project. In an interview with come2CoM, Henrik Johansson, the Environmental Controller from Växjö, Sweden shows the importance of Energy Action Plan in the fight against climate change.

Växjö “Europe’s Greenest City”. Photograph used with permission from Henrik Josephson, City of Växjö

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Regional Development and Energy Agencies supporting municipality Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs) to jointly become active energy actors in Europe

The City_SEC project arises from the common need to support the local and regional policy makers in order to adhere to the Covenant of Mayors and achieve its objectives, in particular, in those regions where there are few municipalities as signatories.

City_SEC aims at conducting an energy baseline assessment and developing Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAP) for 44 municipalities, thus helping them to become Sustainable Energy Communities. The 44 municipalities involved will be supported by the project Consortium to sign up to the Covenant of Mayors (CoM) initiative and to develop actions that will go beyond the 20-20-20 EU energy targets.

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ENNEREG "Regions 202020"

ENNEREG - Regions 202020 paving the way for a Sustainable Energy Europe

ENNEREG Regions paving the way for a Sustainable Energy Europe aims to establish and inspire a network of regions throughout Europe – Regions 202020 - to produce regional Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs) and implement Sustainable Energy Projects (SEPs).

In May 2010, 12 ENNEREG “Pioneers” started on their journey to become Sustainable Energy Regions. These ENNEREG Regions, which range from islands in Greece and Portugal to the whole of Wales, will undertake SEAP and SEP development and implementation, exchanging experiences and lessons learned in the process.

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Energy performance contracting with green guarantees in Middelfart, Denmark

In 2009, the Municipality of Middelfart, Denmark, took a look at their energy consumption and environmental impact. They realized there was a huge potential for energy savings and CO₂ emisson and reduction.

This video on YouTube explains how Schneider Electric helped the Municipality of Middelfart improve their facilities and finance the improvements & investment through guaranteed energy savings.

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Do you want to learn from the best? So do we!

The lessons learnt by the 12 ENNEREG Pioneer Regions will be combined with knowledge from other regions already developing and implementing SEAPs and SEPs. These Pioneers will exchange experience and inspire, guide and support replication throughout Europe via the Regions 202020 Network.

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