> BioProm (IEE)
> Buy Smart (IEE)
> CENCE (CIP)
> Coolregion (IEE)
> EcoCluP (CIP-EIP)
> Energy Efficiency Watch (IEE)
> Energy Efficiency Watch 2 (IEE)
> Energy Labels (SAVE)
> FOREST (IEE)
> Green Energy Clusters (IEE)
> GreenLabelsPurchase (IEE)
> Kids4Energy (SAVE)
> OPET-RES-e
> Pellets for Europe (ALTENER)
> ProEcoPolyNet (FP6)
> Proefficiency (IEE)
> Propellets (IEE)
> Promoting Solar Air Conditioning (ALTENER)
> PU-BENEFS (IEE)
> REGBIE (ALTENER)
> REGBIE+ (IEE)
> 100% RE-NET (FP5)
> RES-H Policy (IEE)
> RES Market Places (IEE)
> SErENADE (IEE)
> Smart-e Buildings (IEE)
> Solcamp (IEE)
> Soltherm Europe Initiative (ALTENER)
> Sustainco (IEE)

Bioenergy-Promotion

The project with six partners from Germany, Austria, France, Spain and Slovenia aimed to overcome non-technical constraints of the realisation of bio-energy projects in densely populated urban areas and to bring bioenergy projects on their way by establishing a network of actors and stakeholders of the bioenergy sector in five European regions. Biogas, biofuel, wood chip and wood pellet projects were in focus of the project.

The main objectives were to establish regional and functional networks which effectively support the realisation of bio-energy projects and to solve existing non-technical barriers hindering the dissemination and implementation of bio-energy projects with particular focus on the problems in densely populated urban areas.

Project website: http://www.bioprom.net/

Buy Smart - Green Procurement for Smart Purchasing

The objective of the "Buy Smart-project" is to promote, implement and further develop the procurement of energy efficient products (office equipment, household appliances, lighting, green power, building components, vehicles) in private and public institutions. 8 partners from 7 European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Slovenia, Sweden) cooperate to trigger green procurement for smart purchasing. Among others, the following activities are carried out:

• supporting information through specific guidelines, performance sheets and calculation tools
• consultations, in-house consultations, training events, pilot projects
• good practice database with at least 200 European examples
• information about energy labels and new labelling schemes

Project website: http://www.buy-smart.info/

Connecting Energy Clusters Across Europe

Within the CENCE project, a new concept of clustering was introduced: the construction of new, cooperative, relationships between European Energy Clusters focusing on knowledge, know-how, and transfer of experience. Cooperation projects and best practice in three fields were investigated: Renewable Energy Sources, Energy Efficiency, and Distributed Energy Resources.

The overarching goal of the CENCE project was to support cooperation activities between participant Energy clusters for establishing, at EU level, a cooperation and learning platform that facilitates the promotion of entrepreneurial innovation through the exploitation of synergies, the exchange of knowledge, and the transfer of Best Practice.

Project website: http://www.europe-innova.org/

Energy efficient cooling in regions of North and Central Europe

Increasing thermal load, large scale vitrification of facades and a higher demand for comfort in buildings lead to a higher demand for cooling in the temperate climate zones of the EU. After heating systems, cooling systems in buildings are the installations with the highest share of energy use. In the case of cooling systems, pilot projects to reduce the energy consumption are missing. Within the Coolregion project, based on European and regional expert networks, the knowledge about energy efficient cooling was evaluated and disseminated. In exemplary pilot projects possibilities to avoid and to reduce the energy use for cooling, or to use efficient cooling systems (possibly with RES), were demonstrated. The discussion of the experiences by regional networks contributed to raise awareness of the subject of “energy efficient cooling”. Guidebooks and a web-based information platform gave support to decision makers, house owners, architects, engineers and craftsmen for energy efficient cooling solutions in the future.

Project website: http://www.coolregion.info/

The EcoCluP project (Eco-Innovation Cluster Partnership for Internationalisation and Growth) is carried out by 13 partners in the frame of the Europe INNOVA programme. The EcoCluP is the first pan-European partnership of cluster organisations. The partnership represents most of Europe’s key clusters with a strong environmental portfolio with cluster organisations participating from Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK. EcoCluP is aiming to adapt, test and implement sector-specific cluster support tools and services for fast-growing businesses thus creating better opportunities for the cluster companies to grow and internationalise.

With this initiative the European and national Parliamentarians aimed at creating a policy for increased energy efficiency in the EU to guarantee Europe's energy supply and to accomplish the huge challenges we are facing today and in the future. The objective was to bring energy efficiency technologies into action wherever and whenever possible. A close co-operation between European, national, local and regional level and all involved stakeholders is needed to act and to watch that energy efficiency measures will be properly implemented.

"Energy Efficiency Watch" was installed in order to follow the relevant actions at EU and national level. The "EEW-initiative" was coordinated by EUFORES - the European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources - was nominated to coordinate the EEW-Initiative.

Project website: www.energy-efficiency-watch.org

The project Energy-Efficiency-Watch 2 (EEW2) aims to facilitate the implementation of the Energy Services Directive. There are three main elements of the project:

• activation and consultation of core networks (national and European Parliamentarians, civil servants, regional and local networks, mayors, experts, associations, industry etc.)
• building up knowledge via surveys, questionnaires and policy screening and
• dissemination activities (i.e. briefings, conferences, brochures).

The expected outcome are European and national energy efficiency policies of better quality and an experience exchange with the aim of filling implementation gaps.

Project website: www.energy-efficiency-watch.org

The SAVE-project "Energy Labels", which was co-ordinated by the O.Oe. Energiesparverband, aimed at increasing overall awareness of energy quality in production and consumption and the possibility to make an informed choice based on an energy label. The understanding and use of existing labels should be increased.

8 partners from 7 countries co-operated in the EU-project. The project targeted on the one hand at end consumers with an information package to increase this level of awareness and understanding, but also addressed organisations and companies issuing energy labels, thereby contributing to a market development of energy labels from both sides of the market.

Fostering efficient long term supply partnerships

7 partners from 9 European regions work together in the IEE project FOREST "FOsteRing Efficient long term Supply parTnerships". The FOREST project aims to work across the whole supply chain covering both the supply of the fuel and the installation and maintenance of the boiler systems. The objective of FOREST is to develop and to consolidate long-term supply chain partnerships that will give the end user confidence in the total bio-heat system and so encourage investment from larger non-domestic heat users. The focus of the FOREST project will be with larger scale non-domestic biomass heat applications where confidence for business investment is critical. With the project we will establish new supply chain partnerships using the tools developed, and extend existing partnerships.

The best way to stimulate a long term and self-sufficient development is to create a good business environment. This environment is characterised by a high awareness and availability of information in combination with well functioning corporations and products that fulfils the demands. However, this is in many cases and regions not the case today for the green energy market due to several barriers such as lack of understanding and information in combination with small key actors with limited resources for marketing and information activities. 

The establishment of regional Green Energy Clusters can facilitate the critical mass needed for activities to decrease these barriers for an increased deployment of green energy technology and services. 

The overall objectives of the project were to:

• create 4 regional Green Energy Clusters and strengthen the existing EcoEnergy Cluster in Upper Austria
• increase the sales of equipment and services for market actors participating in the regional clusters
• establish a platform of good examples and a guide for the formation of similar clusters within other regions in Europe.

The objective of the project was to increase the use of energy labels in the procurement process in public authorities, the tertiary sector and administrations of industry and SMEs by standardised tools for efficient appliances and other relevant products.

The following main activities were implemented within 9 European countries of a consortium of 12 well experienced institutions:

• development of main promotion material and tools
• pilot projects
• implementation of around 500 procurement projects supported by information and consultation

Project website O.Oe. Energiesparverband (German): Link

10 organisations from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Italy, England, France, Belgium, Germany and Austria cooperated in this project. In order to increase the number as well as the quality of projects in this field, a "Best Practice Guide" was developed. Every country gave an overview about all projects in the area of energy saving and renewable energy that have been realised by kids or youngsters during the last years. Subsequently the basic points of these projects were analysed, reviewed and evaluated, and obstacles or factors of success were identified. Finally, this analysis helped to produce an all-embracing guideline.

Another focus of this project was the production of teaching material which was developed with the assistance of partner organisations and teachers. It was distributed all over Europe, intended for the use in primary schools and should awaken and enhance children's awareness for energy saving and sustainable energy.

The European technology network "OPET RES-e" promoted energy technologies for the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources (RES-e).

18 partners - many of them are regional energy agencies - from 13 countries were members of this network which was co-ordinated by the O.Oe. Energiesparverband. The project participants included Spain (Catalonia, Andalusia, Basque country), France (Rhône-Alpes), United Kingdom (Wales), Germany (Berlin, Saarland, Brandenburg), Belgium (Flanders), Austria (Upper Austria), the Czech Republic (South Bohemia), Poland (Gdansk region), Slovenia, Finland, Sweden (West Sweden), India and China. The project responded to local conditions (which vary significantly) and facilitated implementation by bringing together regional actors and know-how from European reseach bodies by combining a local technology-oriented approach with international co-operation.

The network carried out a number of actions, including "regional technology mapping", best practice reports on public acceptance, case studies on financing and other targeted dissemination activities. 3 international events, more than 30 local events and over 30 publications ensured that a large number of market actors benefited from the know-how exchange.

Wood pellets are a clean, CO₂-neutral and convenient fuel with a rapidly growing share of the market. 17 partners from 11 European countries - Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden - were participating in the "Pellets for Europe" - project. The aim of the project was to support the expansion of the European pellets market by creating regional networks and by locating new sales potentials. Highlights of the project were the European Pellets Conferences 2004 and 2005 which were organised by the O.Oe. Energiesparverband in the frame of the World Sustainable Energy Days.

The ProEcoPoly-Network pursued the following overall goals:

• Editing RTD results to promote and disseminate efficient and innovative building-related energy technologies
• Complementing dissemination carried out within similar individual FP projects 
• Increase the level of information and know-how transfer throughout Europe by linking leading experts and specific organisations in a network and by implementing joint activities
• Contribute to the creation of a European Research Area by strengthening the co-operation between actors and institutions

These general objectives of the project covered the promotion and dissemination of results of research and demonstration (RTD) projects in the three areas Eco-buildings, small Polygeneration and renewable heating and cooling technologies for buildings. The main types of actions were networking, screening and bundling of RTD results, exchange of best RTD practice, promotional RTD events, marketing campaigns and material.

Downloads:

• Event description - Seminar "Future Energy Technologies"
• Newsletter 1
• Newsletter 2
• Newsletter 3
• Best Practice Sheet - Biogas
• Best Practice Sheet - Bio-Hydrogen
• Best Practice Sheet - Heating and Cooling with Biomass

The overall aim of the project was to promote voluntary initiatives for the most eco-energy efficient products, within different regional scenarios from the European Market including old, new and candidate Member States, through both the implementation of „pilot promoters’ initiatives and „pilot consumers’ projects/actions”, as well as, the monitoring of effectiveness of initiatives and actions developed.

The main activities comprised:

• Stimulation of promoters through “pilot promoters’ initiatives” for the most eco-energy-efficient products
• Acceleration of market transformation towards more eco-energy-efficient cold & lighting products, through implementation of “pilot consumers’ projects/actions”

More information (German): Link

The search for comfort and the recent design of buildings lead to an increase in needs for air conditioning in tertiary buildings. A more energy vision of the building's design and a relatively new technique for solar cooling could answer this request. The O.Oe. Energiesparverband worked together with nine partners from France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain on this "solar cooling" project. One of the results of the project was the dissemination of the current knowing about active solar cooling or passive techniques. The feasibility studies led to a number of demonstration sites in the partners' countries.

The aim of the Propellets project was to promote automatic pellet heating systems in the project partner regions (Spain, Finland, United Kingdom, Italy and Austria). Specific objectives were market stimulation by showing best practice examples, the demonstration of pilot heating systems and to stimulate the European technology transfer to other markets.

The Propellets brochure "Pellet heating systems in larger buildings" issued by the O.Oe. Energiesparverband informs in four pages about the pellet market in Upper Austria and shows three examples of larger pellet installations.http://www.esv.or.at/esv/fileadmin/esv_files/Projekte/Propellets_bro_ESV_english_vs.pdf

Public Buildings Energy Efficiency Services

This project intended to assist public bodies and especially local authorities to implement energy services, by providing efficient tools to meet the needs of public bodies and facilitating the work of ESCOs.

The work started with studies on the specificity of public bodies, their legal framework and capacity for third party finance contracting in 8 countries. In total fourteen feasibility studies identified the specific problems and solutions for implementing energy services. Elaborated specifications assisted local authorities for their tenders to implement energy services, allowing having the best offer by ESCOs. Tools (brochure, CD-ROM, web sites) were produced facilitating the implementation of energy services. Organisation of training and dissemination seminars at different levels completed the promotion.

Project website: www.pubenefs.org/

Regional Bioenergy Initiatives around Europe

The network Regional Biomass Initiatives around Europe (REGBIE) set out to create a European platform for promotional biomass activities at regional level throughout Member States and Candidate Countries. REGBIE aimed at developing practical promotional tools for all relevant areas of this technology such as political, legal and economic conditions, technical developments, pilot- and demonstration projects, information and marketing measures. These actions were clearly targeted to achieve rapid, visible and sustainable growth of the bioenergy market in the partner regions involved. REGBIE was implemented by partners from Austria, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden and was coordinated by the Hanover-based agency "target GmbH" from Germany.

Regional Initiatives Increasing the Market for Biomass Heating in Europe

The REGBIE+ project was launched in January 2007 as a follow-up project of the REGBIE project. It aimed at strengthening the regional uptake of various biomass heating technologies and involved 14 partners from 12 EU countries.

Depending on the technologies and strategies, REGBIE+'s activities are addressing:

• Key actors in policy and regional economy
• Investors groups at regional level
• Installing and planning companies
• Fuel suppliers
• General public, householders, schools

One major communication measure, that was implemented by REGBIE+ partners, was for example: the school competition addressing pupils and teachers to hand in creative contributions on wood as a sustainable energy source.

Project website: http://www.regbieplus.eu/

This project was based on the co-operation of organisations and partners originating from seven European regions. This international co-operation aimed at giving a strong impulse for the development of sustainable energy systems in mainly rural areas in Austria, Germany, France and Spain. The long term aim could be viewed as a regional energy supply at 100 % from renewable energy sources.

Comprehensive studies (e.g. case studies of regions and communities with a high energy supply from renewable energy sources) helped to identify the factors for success as well as obstacles from technical, financial, social and organisational aspects. The results were analysed and used as a basis to encourage the usage of sustainable energy in selected regions. Especially regions with a very poorly developed renewable energy sector could benefit from this know-how transfer.

Project website: www.100re.net

Aim of the RES-H Policy project is to support the implementation of the "Directive on Renewables" as far as RES-heating and cooling (RES-H/C) related aspects are concerned. One aspect will be the setting up of national sector specific 2020/2030 RES-H/C targets. Therefore selected policy options to support RES-H/C will be qualitatively and quantitatively assessed and tailor made policy options and recommendations as to how to best design a support framework for increased RES-H/C penetration in the national heating and cooling markets will be developed. Within the project the O.Ö. Energiesparverband cooperates with project partners from the German, Greece, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and UK.

Project website: www.res-h-policy.eu

Creating Renewable Energy Market Places for Investors and Regional Actors in Rural Areas

The aim of the project was to create regional markets in order to promote the use of renewable energy sources as well as to communicate energy efficiency measures in new building projects and in case of renovation of buildings in rural areas of the European Union. The success of projects in the field of renewable energies and energy efficiency depends on the existing structures within a region (e.g. networks) which are organised, coordinated and coached by regional actors. Based on existing regional networks the project created a regional marketplace where suppliers and potential end-users as well as investors met to exchange experiences and to work out solutions for the use of renewable energies and energy efficiency measures. Several methods for creating such market places for renewable energies were tested.

The SErENADE project aimed to increase the rational use of energy and the use of renewable energy sources by enhancing and expanding the range, scope and quality of energy advice provision to households, SMEs and local authorities in the European Community. SErENADE provided an evaluation of existing energy advice services, an online toolkit and interactive energy advice forum (forming the basis for a thematic network). A proactive programme of dissemination to reach stakeholders across the Community, to promote the benefits of quality energy advice and availability of resources to help both new and existing providers was carried out.

The IEE project Smart-e buildings started in May 2010 and aims to carry out a European-wide industry-led mobilisation campaign addressed to public authorities at national, regional and local levels, citizens, national/European parliamentarians as well as the media. The project will spread existing information on energy efficiency and renewable energy applications in buildings, thus encouraging large-scale investments in these sectors. It will be set up a central interactive portal linked to social network sites which will provide tailor-made “action-enabling toolkits”, and allow for volunteering and user group space where activists can organize local activities, and see their celebrities say: “Smart-e buildings. What else?"

Website for more information: http://www.takeyourenergyback.eu/

Camping sites represent one of the most suitable applications for solar thermal systems. Not only in the North European countries but also in Mediterrenean regions solar thermal systems are not common systems for providing hot water at camping sites. The main activity within  the project was therefore to create, to implement and to monitor a campaign for increased use of solar thermal systems at camping sites.

In strong collaboration with the relevant partners, in particular tourism and camping associations, "Solar Checks for Camping Sites" were developed and in each region consultants - "Solar Checkers" - were trained. Solar Checkers provided camping site owners with independent information regarding planning data and favourable financing schemes.

Project-website: www.solcamp.de/

The Soltherm Initiative aimed to accelerate the growth of the EU active solar thermal market to meet the White Paper target, with a short term goal of 15 million m² solar thermal collectors in 2004. This could be achieved by creating synergy between existing national programmes and initiating programmes in countries where the market is still lagging. The focus was on stimulating demand and coupling this to supply by installers capable of delivering high quality solar water heaters. To achieve these goals, Soltherm developed European guidelines for systems and installers, system design and application tools as well as guidelines to develop successful market campaigns based on the combined experience of the project partners.

The project "Sustainable Energy for Rural Communities – SUSTAINCO", which is coordinated by the North-West Croatia Regional Energy Agency, aims to support an ambitious European vision for the energy performance of buildings. The project will build capacity within the partner countries through exposure to best practice, supporting integrated approaches to design and retrofitting of buildings and building capacity in rural regions. The SUSTAINCO project will directly select and facilitate development of 8 high profile proposed NZEB projects and also provide support to 50 NZEB projects as follow ups to already launched pilot projects. The project will also provide training of key market actors but also an extensive information campaign to citizens of rural communities.