Energy in Regional Development - Learning from European Best Practice

Friday 29 June 2007
Combined Universities in Cornwall, Penryn, Cornwall, UK

The Cornwall Sustainable Energy Partnership hosted a one day conference for strategic decision makers from across the UK and Europe.

'Energy for Regional Development - Learning from European Best Practice' brought together European speakers from iconic energy projects from Spain, Austria, Denmark, The Netherlands and Sweden.

This conference focused on reality rather than aspirations on ways regions can achieve a low-carbon competitive economy.

The morning session was specifically designed to provide a learning experience whilst the afternoon provided opportunities to discuss with the exemplar European scheme leaders how their projects could be be replicated.

Other key speakers included (i) Tim Jackson, UK Sustainable Development Commissioner; (ii) Tim Smit, co-founder & Chief Executive of the Eden Project; (iii) Mme Claude Nahon, Senior Vice-President of EDF (France) and (iv) Dr Gerhard Utri from the City of Linz. Dr Utri gave a presentation on the ‘Solar City’ development, an award winning new suburb of sustainable affordable housing in the town of Linz, Northern Austria.

The event was made possible through the generous sponsorship of EDF Energy, who also provided free water powered clocks for each delegate.

To help offset the carbon cost of the conference, CSEP will plant a tree for each attendee.

For more information on the conference please contact: lindsay@csep.co.uk

Conference Notes - Download in PDF format

Study Tour to Munich - Capital of Energy Savings in Germany - A report to the Parliamentary Warm Homes Group - Jan 2007

http://www.nea.org.uk/downloads/misc/Munich_Study_Tour_Report_FINAL.pdf

Colleagues from Devon went recently to Bavarian's capital Munich to experience first-hand how the City Council reduced its carbon emissions by 30% and boosted the installation of renewable energy technologies. This report has been produced to give background information on the German energy policy framework (i.e. renewable energy law and energy savings law) and a detailed account on the steps Munich City Council has taken to reduce carbon emsissions and to increase the proportion of renewable sources in its energy mix. Examples include a geothermal plant, PV installations and citizens' solar clubs, energy from biomass plant and local energy adivce. For more information on this study tour contact martin.eibl@nea.org.uk