What potential have space technologies to contribute to Europe's energy
transition? To what extent can satellite applications enable more
sustainable energy management systems? In which ways can satellite
applications support cities and regions in the daily management of
urban services? These are some of the questions addressed at a
workshop organised by
the European Committee of the Regions, the European Space Agency and
EURISY, a non-profit organisation which aims at bringing satellite
services and space applications more accessible to public bodies and
businesses. The event is part of the
EU Sustainable Energy Week 2018.
Decarbonising the economy by 2050 will require huge efforts by energy
companies and policymakers to achieve the goals of cutting greenhouse gas
emissions while ensuring competitive and secure energy supplies. The
Committee of the Regions considers that enabling synergies between the
energy and space sectors are crucial for reaching the climate and energy
targets, both at the EU and international levels.
With a particular focus on local and regional needs, ENVE's workshop
assessed the possible contributions of space assets to respond to the needs
of the energy sector and discuss best practices to make space-based data
and services available to potential users operating in the energy sector.
The event was chaired by CoR member Daiva Matonienė (LT/ECR), Member of the Šiauliai City
Council, former Vice Minister of Environment of Lithuania
and rapporteur on
‘renewable energy and the internal energy market in electricity’
, adopted in July 2017.
In her opening speech, Daiva Matonienė said: "Space
technologies can play a great role in reaching the EU's energy and climate
objectives but its potential must be maximized through innovative
mechanisms that attract private investments. Space policy needs to be
solidly based on a long-term strategy. Success will be ours if public
authorities of all levels closely cooperate with businesses to further
develop space industry public-private partnerships."
Kai-Uwe Schrogl,
Chief Strategy Officer at
European Space Agency (ESA)
addressed the audience and thanked the European Committee of the Regions
for his commitment to bring space technologies closer to citizens and
raising awareness to its members on the benefits that space applications
can have on urban services, from energy to transport management, weather
forecasts or the analysis of air pollution, amongst many others.
The European Committee of the Regions adopted an opinion on a
'Space Strategy for Europe'
in October 2017 led by rapporteur Andres Jaadla (EE/ALDE).
Amongst its requests, the CoR asks the European Commission that a CoR
representative becomes a full permanent member of the Copernicus user
forum.
Dominique Tilmans, President of
EURISY
said: "We have the goal to make the space sector more accessible to local
and regional authorities. Cities must be better aware of the extent to
which satellite technologies and space applications can support them in the
daily management of multiple services."
The event was the occasion to showcase concrete applications of space
technologies.
Juha-Pekka Luntama from the European Space Agency (ESA)
presented 'Monitoring Space Weather. Using space assets to secure energy
systems.'
Kåre Rudsar from Statnett, Norway, presented 'The threats of space weather to energy systems - how can space
assets support energy operators.'
Jo Van Valckenborg presented 'The Image processing Chain and the Solar Potential Map for Flanders' which combines space and IT capabilities to foster the use of solar energy in the Flemish university city.
Joyca Leplae from the Environmental Department of the City of Ghent
presented how the city of Ghent has developed a strategy to boost energy-efficient renovations.
The event concluded with a round table discussion on the 'challenges and
opportunities to create synergies between the space and energy sectors'.
Contact:
David Crous |
david.crous@cor.europa.eu
| +32 (0) 470 88 10 37