On 8th February 2017, the Brittany Region hosted the first forum in Western France dedicated to new models for local production of renewable energy. For Bretagne Développement Innovation (BDI) and the Regional Council of Brittany it has been the occasion to communicate about key energy projects implemented in the region, including SET-UP.
Organised by the Brittany Region and BDI – the Regional Economic Development Agency, in collaboration with ENERPLAN – the national renewable energy association, this forum hosted more than 200 participants representing the public and private energy sectors. The event focused on self-consumption as a new model benefitting European consumers and businesses. It aimed at clarifying the (favourable) regulatory framework recently approved in France as well as sharing experience on pioneer projects implemented in the region.
Under a socio-economic perspective, by allowing consumers to produce their own electricity onsite from renewable energy sources (e.g. solar or wind power) and consume some or all of it, self-consumption also contributes to make consumers active players of the energy transition. And empowering citizens is, indeed, a key objective of the Energy Union.
Within the SET-UP project, the low awareness of smart grids potential for consumers, resulting in their limited participation and involvement, has been recognised as a main common challenge to smart grids deployment. Focusing on empowering consumers as one of the 3 main areas of work within the project, the SET-UP partners are currently sharing strategies and good practices to support active consumer engagement in the energy transition.
The next project meeting, that will take place in South Transdanubia (HU) in July 2017, will focus on this topic.
