The Energy picture in the Mediterranean areas is relatively different in the northern and southern zones. Climatic, geographic and demographic characteristics are different among North and South and must be taken into account when defining common topics and solutions. Also market opportunities and level of partnerships differ very much from north to south Mediterranean.
In the South, the real opportunities for development and creation of jobs depends on the large number of small communities in remote locations, of various sizes, making connection to the conventional electricity grids difficult or very expensive. This leads to the need for the development of decentralized, local, integrated, sustainable solutions for energy production based on appropriate renewable and hybrid energy solutions, including smart micro-grids, power production and storage.
These solutions would also constitute interesting market and development opportunity in remote or decentralized communities in southern Europe, including small islands, where supply and demand must be balanced through smart management techniques.While the above solutions address the question of supply, the important aspect of demand also needs to be tackled. Communities served by such a local energy system should also be sustainable and efficient. So, the aim is to develop solutions for sustainable and smart remote communities, minimizing energy consumption in buildings and promoting recycling and energy recovery, moving towards nearly-zero energy buildings through design, regulations, materials and special solar (and other) energy components that shall take into full account the local heritage and traditions, ensuring the harmonious integration and social acceptance by the local population. A special attention shall be given to cooling technologies or components.
Three major topics/niches can be extrapolated:
- System integration: system hybridization and integration (renewable energy, decentralized solutions).
- Energy efficiency in sustainable and smart communities/districts under Mediterranean climate and uses, including raising awareness and considering sustainable participation / involvement of industry.
- Solar energy, storage and smart micro grid (CSP, PV, CPV, thermal)
In relation to the above topics, specific solutions / results have been identified:
- Appropriate renewable and hybrid energy solutions, including storage, smart micro-grids, power production.
- Minimizing energy consumption in buildings and promoting recycling and energy recovery, moving towards nearly-zero energy buildings through design, regulations, materials and special energy components with emphasis on cooling technologies. Accounting the local heritage and traditions, ensuring a harmonious integration and social acceptance by the local population.
- Penetration of decentralized grid-connected renewable energy sources, namely PV and CSP. This will require the development of special components and technologies based on local resources, using mature technologies, including affordable storage solutions.
The above solutions will create business opportunities for a host of players in decentralized communities, including:
- Manufacturers of RES equipment and integrated systems, including energy management and monitoring systems.
- ESCOs and energy suppliers.
- Local manufacturers of special solar components.
- Building designers and consultancy firms.
- Recycling firms.
This shall also create opportunities for training and awareness raising, addressing social issues and promoting acceptance by the population, involving:
- Research and training institutions.
- Consumer associations.
- NGOs.
- Utilities.
- Local authorities.
Mobility (e.g., through the production and use of biofuels and other renewable alternatives) and industry also need to be addressed.
Most of the population lives, however, in cities and developed areas with strong cultural traditions. The aim here would be to promote the penetration of decentralized grid-connected renewable energy sources, namely PV and CSP. This will require the development of special components and technologies based on local resources, using known mature technologies, including affordable storage solutions.
This will create market opportunities for, among others:
- SMEs.
- Local entities, e.g., NGOs and Government (regulations, awareness campaigns).
- Training institutions for developing the skills of professionals and young people.
- Building designers.
