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The Sunflower Project

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About: Sunflower

Website: http://www.sunflowerproject.org.uk/

The Sunflower Project (September 2008 - February 2011) was a European network of 8 partners working on Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and coordinated by Câmara Municipality de Moura (Alentejo Region, Portugal).

The aims of the project were:

  • The promotion, dissemination and implementation of good practice examples of Renewable Energy Sources and their contribution to Local Sustainable Development
  • Increasing the ratio of popular involvement in the project and thus start a long and durable "community energy vision" in line with European energy climate targets.  

Sunflower aimed to create the necessary conditions to attract investment in renewable energy projects characterized by a large RES potential but insufficient mass to attract industry. The test regions were Moura (PT), North York Moors (UK), Sliven (BG) and various Czech regions.

The project focused on: political commitment, market stimulation and environmental awareness.

The main objectives were:

  • Local authorities to trigger interest to build renewable energy powered plants
  • Attract renewable energy industry to the regions and increase the number of business partnerships formed between investors and local (or regional) authorities
  • Train recent graduates or young entrepreneurs in local markets and help to create new enterprises
  • Increase the ratio of popular involvement in the project and thus start a long and durable "community energy vision" in line with European energy climate targets

Achievements include:

  • Significant investment and over 60MW of electricity generation from a variety of renewable sources ranging from the largest solar photo-voltaic plant in Europe to small community ventures
  • The involvement of political decision makers from all levels of government and society
  • International and national conferences held and knowledge about renewable energy markets shared
  • Investment in Science and Technology Parks
  • New businesses created 
  • Clear guidance on creating small and medium renewable energy businesses produced
  • Initiatives carried out in schools and study tours and training events arranged for young graduates leading to the creation of renewable energy businesses
  • Stakeholder involvement

Partner Organisations

Note: only project partners who have added their organisation to the Regions 202020 database are listed below. See the Sunflower website for details of all partners.

idmec

IDMEC–IST - Instituto de Engenharia Mecânica, Pólo IST

The Research Group on Energy and Sustainable Development - RGESD is part of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering – IDMEC, and has developed its activities since 1985 in the development of tools to simulate and to optimize the design, operation and control of full-scale energy equipment. Later the group has redirected part of its research efforts to the development of tools and practices for energy management, RUE, RES technologies and its potential in remote areas.

Further information »     (Last edited: 10/05/2012 4:34pm)

Resources

Sunflower Project Renewable Energy Sources Training Guide

Tool / Methodology [EN] An overview of the energy market with detailed information on biomass technologies, small hydropower, wind, solar (thermal and PV) and support schemes including the Feed in Tariff. The Guide also contains an economic analysis of renewable energy sources and a large section on the potential of hydrogen as a fuel.

View the Tool / Methodology [EN - English]

Further information »

Sunflower Project "Guide to Create A Start-Up Company in Renewable Energy Sources"

Tool / Methodology [EN] This Guide addresses one of the main barriers to the successful development of the
renewable energy industry across Europe; the availability of trained and skilled people. The Guide details how to start a renewable energy business at a European level from initial idea to the developed project. There are sections dealing with trading, financial and legal aspects and several case studies of best practice. Job profiles and market trends are also analysed.

View the Tool / Methodology [EN - English]

Further information »

North York Moors National Park Authority Community Renewable Energy Project - Final Report

Good Practice Collection / Publication [EN] This report summarises activity under the North York Moors Community Renewable Energy (CRE) Project and sets out the principle findings of the project. These findings are illustrated with a series of local case studies which highlight some of the thinking and activity behind the findings.

View the Good Practice Collection / Publication [EN - English]

Further information »

The Sunflower Project: Renewable Energy Good Practice Case Studies

Good Practice Collection / Publication [EN] The Sunflower Project promoted, disseminated and implemented these good practice examples of Renewable Energy Sources and their contribution to Local Sustainable Development.

Further information »