News - European Conference on Local Energy

The European Commission brought together representatives from many of its 156 European agencies in Brussels for their annual contractors meeting (27th November) followed by a two day conference focusing on 'Local Energy Action'. Representatives from many other related agencies also attended (see map of European agencies). The Commission briefed the agencies on the new 'Intelligent Energy for Europe' programme and made suggestions as to how the SAVE agencies might evolve in the future. Ideas included expansion into transport activities (particularly alternative motor fuels) as well as 'clustering' with other agencies to enable larger projects to be instigated or use of national agency associations (nine EU countries now have such agency associations including the UK - TV Energy is one of the founding Members/ Directors of the Association of UK Energy Agencies. In addition, the Commission suggested the sharing of best practice and increased training and interaction between agencies to the benefit all.

TV Energy attended the events with partners from Rousse, Bulgaria and the Region of Murcia, Spain. Julije Domac of the Energy Institute, Croatia also attended and TV Energy held a series of side meetings with the European Commission officials concerning the IEA activities. As a result, it is anticipated that the European Commission will join in with the second three year programme of this activity.

The full programme of the conference can be seen at the managenergy website www.managenergy.net along with information on presentations and interviews that were recorded for streaming on the web.