Services: European Energy Awards^® (eea)

WHAT ARE THE EUROPEAN ENERGY AWARDS^®?

The European Energy Awards^® (eea) is a programme designed to assess and benchmark municipalities contributing to the environmentally sustainable development of society through energy efficiency and the increased use of renewable energy sources.

Like commercial quality management systems such as Total Quality Management (TQM), the eea programme is a process which is carried out in a series of stages in order to

• identify weaknesses and areas that can be improved,
• integrate quality processes into current administration work,
• further improve the administration processes,
• establish a process of continuous improvement,
• strengthen public participation in key decision-making processes relating to energy policy.

The key elements of this programme, namely defining positions (energy reviews), defining goals and decision criteria, preparing energy policy as well as continually monitoring the success of measures means that a process-orientated approach is essential.

WHAT DOES THE EUROPEAN ENERGY AWARDS^® PROGRAMME OFFER?

• Access to energy policy expertise from sample communities throughout Europe,
• Special co-operative partnerships with innovative communities,
• Successful publicising of “energy work” carried out by communities through a system of international evaluation and recognition,
• On-going expert supervision by an eea advisor and the national eea coordinator for the entire participation in the programme,
• Assessment and recognition for previous energy work carried out,
• Benchmarking possibilities with other eea communities.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITIES?

• Continual increases in energy efficiency and associated cost savings
• Fulfilment of responsibility to safeguard public interests through the implementation of environmentally sustainable energy policies
• Optimisation of internal energy structures and processes in the community
• Integration of problem-solving capabilities and enabling committed members of the public to take a responsible and creative role through public involvement

WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS FOR TAKING PART?

• Official approval from community representatives to take part in the programme.
• The establishment of a consultancy agreement or contract between the community and an accredited eea advisor.
• The establishment of a consultancy agreement or contract between the community and and the national eea coordinator.
• The establishment of an energy team which will be responsible for overseeing the programme and which will participate in designing the community’s energy policy work.
• Payment of the membership and advisor fees to guarantee expert and organisational advice.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TAKE PART?

Taking part in the eea programme is subject to the size of the community. Information is available in a separate document “eea Participation Fees” available from the national eea coordinator.

WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EEA COMMUNITY?

• In communities participating in the eea programme there is a continuous process of ensuring efficient energy use.
• A community participating in the programme formulates definite energy policies and targets and allocates the necessary human and financial resources in order to ensure their implementation.
• Communities taking part in the programme are prepared to share their knowledge and experiences with other communities in the programme on a regular basis as part of the exchange of experiences forum.
• At least every three years, programme communities participate in an external commissioning process (audit) in relation to their energy policies.

Select Energy Solutions are the National Coordinator and License Holder for the eea in Ireland.

Further information:

For further information contact:

European Energy Awards Ireland
c/o Select Energy Solutions
Silverhill
Ballyderown
Kilworth
Co. Cork
T. +353 (0)25 279 34
M. +353 (0)86 199 3085
info[@]eea-ireland.net

Ireland eea website
http://www.eea-ireland.net

EU level eea website
http://www.european-energy-award.org