Energy which users save or produce locally using renewable energy sources.
How technology can improve energy efficiency - using LED lighting, heat recovery equipment and automated energy saving technology.
Making use of renewable energy sources, such as small-scale wind turbines, solar power plants and small-scale biomass power plants.
Local energy means energy which a user or a group of users has saved or produced locally using renewable energy sources. Renewable energy, smart power networks and energy efficiency are vital in the pursuit of a sustainable economy and society. In Europe, the demand for renewable energy and energy efficiency services is already estimated at EUR 8 billion, but supply is not yet sufficient to meet this demand.
In the "Saisiko olla lähienergiapalveluja?" (Local energy services, anyone?) survey conducted by Taloustutkimus for Sitra, Finnish homeowners were asked about their opinions on various energy solutions and new local energy services.
Up to one in four homeowners is considering renovating their heating or power systems within the next two years. Interesting potential solutions include the use of solar panels, pellets, heat pumps, smart home automation, insulation, thermal window systems and LEDs.
The growth in the popularity of local energy is nevertheless hampered by the fact that comparing different energy solutions is difficult. Information on local energy should be easily accessible in one place, and residents should be able to process it according to the information they require.
Consumers need an online service, for example, which can identify and compare different local energy options and provide information to support their decision-making. Demand also exists for operators who can offer joint procurement services or service integration, which would give householders an easy, economical and reliable way of acquiring and maintaining local energy equipment.
Sitra has worked on a project to develop local energy service concepts. The goal has been to find ways to help residents save energy or produce energy based on renewable energy sources. In the project, services and operating models utilising local energy were considered from the perspective of SMEs, housing companies and the residents of single-family homes or holiday homes.
The first step in the project included surveying and processing the needs of consumers. The project stages included the following aspects:
Comments