Regions as Motors of New Growth through Smart Specialisation, Brussels, 8 November 2013 Michael A. Curran Director of Economic & Cross Border Development, Louth Local Authorities Workshop 2 – Energy

The starting point The Vision... to stimulate a national move towards sustainable energy practice through demonstration in an exemplar community

Mödling, Austria

NEUCHÂTEL

Newry

Muirhevna Mór

Smart Grid - Storage

Louth Hospital

O'Fiaich College

Advanced Metering Trial

Low Carbon Business Cluster Smart ECO Hub

Louth Economic Forum

Organisational Management Commitment People Developing an energy efficient culture Technical Understanding how and where energy is used Need balance of three elements CommitIdentifyPlan Take Action Review Collaboration Structure The benefit of structure

What it means? Top level commitment –Clear mandate and intent Structure and process –Embedding energy within the management discipline The value of networks –Sharing, learning, replicating practical experience Resources –Skills - specialist advice, tools, training... –Smart investment

Bottom-up, Top-down Local Regional National SEC Steering groups Communities Network SEC Exemplars SG DundalkTraleeSDCC Dublin City INTERNATIONAL (Smart Cities)

EU Funding Framework Interreg (SEUPB) Structural Funds

The Tools

The Sustainable Energy Community Network 3 Exemplars identified Developing new methods of collaboration. Working on; Planning Jobs Finance(Investments)

Strategy tools LA-RES- Step by Step

Matching supply and demand

Energy Master Plan

Smart Tools Renewable Energy Biomass resources and Supply potential Enterprise opportunities cleantech industry and services Coming revolution in energy technologies Solar thermal and PV Wind Wave and tidal Water

The programme is testing new approaches to achieving high quality and efficient delivery of improvements in energy efficiency within Irish communities. Better Energy Communities

Better Energy Communities 2013 Improving the efficiency of buildings and facilities New partnerships delivering cost effective projects of scale Reaching a much wider audience and building momentum within communities. Delivering effectively through local actors. Stimulating local employment.

Better Energy Communities- SMART INVESTMENTS 2013 Number of Projects Funded47 Total Grant spend forecast€7 M Total investment potential€21 M Total projected energy savings€4 M Average payback5 years This year the Better Energy Communities projects are providing work for the equivalent of 300 full time employees

Better Energy Communities Energy Poor Homes592 Non Energy Poor Homes148 Total domestic upgrades740 GAA Clubs/Sport Centres43 Community Centre/Halls56 Schools & Educational64 Public sector buildings50 Commercial/Retail buildings28 Private sector services44 Nursing Homes6 Total community upgrades291

Better Energy Communities 2013 Engaging WILLING CHAMPIONS with capacity to deliver large projects e.g. –Local Authorities, –Energy Agencies, –Energy Suppliers, –Leader Groups, –Community groups, –Energy Service Companies. (ESCos) –Property management companies The call has allowed for a mix of technologies and a blend of domestic and non domestic elements.

Better Energy Community Project 2013 Kilkenny Better Energy Community Partnership –(Local Authority & Business) –City Hall, GAA Club, Guest house, 3 Hotels & 2 community buildings Environmental Pump Services (EPS) - Community project –Dawn Meats, Rusal Aughinish & EPS –13 community facilities in Laois –12 Community facilities in Cork & Kerry Future fit –Energy upgrades to Garda HQ and six sports facilities (Basketball arena) South Dublin County Council –Leisure centre (Lucan), Medical Centre, Transport Depots, Driver training Kerry County Council - Tralee Town Council –Upgrades to water services, district heating, libraries, schools, homes, leisure centres

Summary Do the simple things well You must build from the bottom up You must find a WILLING CHAMPION at every level. Blend multiple funding streams Build Capacity

Thank you.