The 13th European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), which recently took place in Brussels (Belgium) 5-7 June 2018, saw strong ICLEI representation with ICLEI hosting two policy sessions and an exhibition stand to present best practices from energy and smart city projects.
EUSEW is an annual event which brings together consumers and private and public stakeholders to promote clean energy initiatives. This year’s edition saw 64 sessions and more than 40 exhibition stands attracting over 2,500 on site participants, with a further 7,400 joining online.
Under the theme of ‘shaping an integrated market for hot findings and cool solutions’ ICLEI and the Heat Roadmap Europe project focused on transferable heating and cooling solutions for decarbonising energy systems.
Expert speakers not only discussed the way forward for 4th generation district heating systems and the use of heat pumps as hybrid solutions, but also addressed persisting challenges. In particular, conflicting national policy regulations, as well as the dangers of energy poverty, smog and rising market prices in both the Polish and a broader European context.
Lively exchanges with the audiences highlighted the importance of getting everyone on board. A conclusion that was shared by Paul Hodson, Head of the European Commission’s Energy Efficiency Unit, who stressed that it is not always just about which technology to use, but also about the political will to act.
The European-funded Lighthouse project, RUGGEDISED, in a session moderated by ICLEI Europe, put yet another aspect of the energy transformation into the spotlight: the contribution of energy-smart solutions on social cohesion in cities.
The Lighthouse cities of Florence (Italy) and Glasgow (UK) each stressed the impact of energy solutions in socially-challenged neighborhoods. In order to reduce energy bills and increase energy security, the cities are aiming for connected buildings and local renewable energy generation.
The question of comfort and security, thanks to better energy and peak load management, was addressed with the example of the university district in the city of Umeå (Sweden).
Lighthouse cities as well as experts from the Architecture's Council of Europe and Urban Innovation Vienna (Austria) highlighted the collective social responsibility and the necessity of integrating all stakeholders of the energy supply chain from planners to resident’s right at the start of urban development projects for a successful transformation.
For more information about ICLEI’s sustainable energy work, click here.