The Cabildo has developed the Energy Efficiency Consultancy and Technical Assistance Service Project. The initiative, framed as a key action within the Antares Project, is part of a joint effort between the Cabildo of La Palma and the fourteen municipalities of the island and has the financial support of the European Energy Efficiency Fund.
The project is in line with the commitment to sustainability at international level. The European Commission has launched a movement under the name of the Covenant of Mayors by which the signatories commit themselves to exceed the 20-20-20 target: reduction of energy consumption by 20%; to reach a 20% share of renewable energies in the total portfolio; to reduce the total amount of CO2 emissions by the same amount. In the case of La Palma, all the Mayors have signed the Covenant and its successful implementation is considered an opportunity to appear in the international sphere and to promote the brand of Isla Inteligente Sostenible.
Scope and work to be performed.
The scope of the project encompasses both energy efficiency audits and initiatives related to the promotion of renewable energies and the improvement of mobility and urban services, always keeping the focus on sustainability.
- Energy Efficiency. Energy audits have been carried out on up to 92 public buildings and facilities among the properties of the Cabildo and the fourteen municipalities of the island. The buildings chosen were, among others, Town Halls, museums, schools, sports centers, tunnels, etc. Likewise, audits were carried out on all the outdoor public lighting of the Island and the results of both blocks of audits have served as a basis to identify the transformation initiatives, technically and economically feasible, which generate greater energy savings.
- Sustainable Energy. This part of the project aims to analyze the potential of sustainable energies, focusing on hydro, wind, photovoltaic, solar thermal, biomass and micro-cogeneration technologies. Specifically, a technical-economic evaluation of 25 renewable installations was carried out and, additionally, the analysis was completed with a study of the “state of the art” of storage equipment and the detail of its viability on the Island.
- Sustainable Mobility Plan. The scope of the Plan covers the entire geography of the island of La Palma, although it also takes into account relations with the exterior through its transportation nodes (port and airport). The work included a diagnostic phase that consisted of analyzing current mobility on the island and determining the problems associated with the different modes of transport, and a master plan that determines a strategy to solve the problems efficiently, in accordance with the global objectives of the Public Administrations.
- Operations and Technology Model. This model will be based on an understanding of the existing situation in order to identify the potential for improvement and define a new one in accordance with technological possibilities and current social trends. The new model should encourage greater interaction between the citizen and the Administration and be open to continuous improvement.
Benefits
The project is expected to generate the following benefits:
- Generate important economic savings from the increase of energy efficiency of the energy consuming equipment of the Island.
- Attracting new investors to further develop the island and benefiting all its inhabitants, with the development of a new economic sector.
- A perceptible improvement of services to citizens through mobility and telecommunications.
- Strengthen the international positioning of the island as a sustainable tourist destination through the concept of Intelligent Island.