More carbon reduction by dynamically monitoring energy efficiency
The EMPOWER project innovatively addresses two urgent challenges in European cities and regions: the opportunity to reduce CO2 emissions from buildings using new technology and better management, and the need for more investment to meet the EU’s CO2 reduction targets._x000D_
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The potential is considerable: buildings account for 40% of EU energy requirements and 36% of carbon emissions: effective energy monitoring could reduce demand by 10%.  And the Commission considers that energy efficiency is market-ready, ie suitable for private investment._x000D_
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But progress is slow.  Energy monitoring systems are available for individual houses and large schemes.  Little exists for medium-sized schemes.  Key decision-makers do not always understand energy management.  Private investors are nervous about long term energy management investment, they need good local management and quality performance data._x000D_
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The project’s objective is to reduce carbon emissions from buildings, particularly in medium-sized schemes, while also supporting jobs and growth in the local economy.  We will improve regional policies by:_x000D_
* analysing partners’ plans through peer review,_x000D_
* identifying good practices that will improve these plans, studying them through Study Visits, importing them via special workshops and Regional Action Plans._x000D_
* developing cost-effective energy monitoring systems and using these in existing buildings and to attract private investment_x000D_
* building the capacity of all relevant public authorities including ERDF Managing Authorities_x000D_
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The project’s main outputs will benefit the building users, key decision-makers, SMEs working in energy, investors.  They are:_x000D_
*	New projects that innovate by applying cost-effective energy monitoring to reduce energy demand, using new technology._x000D_
*	Improved governance between different levels of government, using the plan–do-act-check principle and providing quality data to attract and reassure commercial investors.