Objective
The policy of establishing total energy requirements for Wallonia was aimed in particular at overcoming the lack of information required to implement power on a regional basis Irrespective of whether the information on requirements is used for developing REU programmes or for encouraging the development of alternative energy sources, it must provide answers to key questions:
- How can one define "target sectors" for the REU programmes?
- How much do they consume and what vectors do they use?
- How can one assess the effectiveness of the policies pursued?
Although the effects of previous oil crises contributed significantly to reducing its energy consumption, Wallonia is still one of the biggest regional users of the European Community. In spite of the crisis and restructuring affecting the region, the influence of industrial consumption, while reduced, is still important.
The quality of the aggregation of this data on consumption is checked annually by comparing it with other information available upstream (the supply or processing of primary energy). Finally. the consistency of the regional energy requirements structure is tested by establishing a flow chart.
A thorough regionalisation process has recently changed the face of economic responsibilities in Belgium. In the energy sector, power is now shared as follows:
- the central government controls external supplies of primary energy, and the pricing of the various vectors. It also has power over electricity distribution (network, 70 kV).
- the regional authorities are responsible for so-called "REU" policies (rational energy use) as well as the tapping of local resources and alternative forms of energy
However, there is a gap between this distribution of power and the statistical tools available. In general. the latter concern the national entity as a whole without distinguishing between the regions
The major structural differences between the Belgian regions prevented extrapolation tests based on national data. The Walloon officials thus opted for a "bottom-up" approach: the various items in the inventory of total requirements are subjected to "upward estimates" based on the micro-economic data obtained in a large range of energy consuming sectors. The main assessment tools developed are:
- an "industries" data base. Up-dated every year, it covers almost 97% of total energy consumption in this sector:
- a "services" data base. It "follows" the consumption in about one thousand buildings in this sector and acts as a "grid" for regional extrapolation;
- the results of a survey on consumption by 10,000 private dwellings. This enabled "standard portraits" to be drawn up which are sufficiently diversified to permit extrapolation for the domestic sector as a whole.
NETWORK
To ensure the success of the "bottom up" approach, a vast network of personal contacts had to be established, including numerous economic agents (industrialists, managers in the tertiary sector, officials responsible for sector federations. etc.).
The network is a well-adapted operational support which facilitates the circulation of information in the energy sphere. It has been used to launch anumber of REU activities in different areas.
- Industry: explanatory activities regarding pricing. organisation of technical briefing meetings. advice on investment, etc.
- Public sector: training activities geared to those responsible for "energy'' in administrative buildings; advice on management and improving energy efficiency in municipal buildings.
Private housing. Establishment of a network of "energy bureaus" to provide information to private individuals: dissemination of an "energy saving booklet" enabling them to benefit from an energy diagnosis of their dwelling and. into the bargain, the possibility of obtaining a loan to improve the effectiveness of their installation.
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
5100 Jambers
Belgium