NEWS & EVENTS : ENERGY
EU SUSTAINABLE ENERGY WEEK: Commission will announce action on smart meters for more savings
04.11.2011
EU SUSTAINABLE ENERGY WEEK
Between 11 and 15 April 2011, more than 30 000 participants in 43 countries will discuss energy efficiency and renewable energy during the 2011 edition of the EU Sustainable Week. The European Commission is organizing the core event in Brussels in order to debate on the best use of energy efficiency and renewable energy across Europe and show concrete examples how to increase both. It will announce the next steps to deploy smart grids throughout Europe and give consumers more possibilities to control their consumption and save more energy.
Announcing the Week ahead, EU Commissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger said: "When it comes to energy production and consumption, Europe needs more than ever to be on a sustainable path. It is time to invest in higher energy efficiencies and a wider use of renewable sources: this is the best way forward to ensuring safe and competitive energy for us and children. The smart grids and the use of smart meters are key for a better use of energy."
Running from 11 to 15 April, the EU Sustainable Energy Week will feature this year nearly 150 events in Brussels and over 450 Energy Days throughout 43 countries in Europe and around the Mediterranean, with more than 30,000 participants. This includes presentations of new projects, debates and conferences.
On Tuesday 12 April Commissioner Oettinger will kick-off the opening ceremony with a speech dedicated to Europe’s energy future at the Charlemagne Building, Brussels. The same day, Commissioner Oettinger will give a press conference at 10.50 hours (Charlemagne), where he will present the new Smart Grid Communication. The strategy paper focuses on two-way digital communications to improve the efficiency and help consumers to better manage their appliances at home e.g. smart meters. This could save energy by more than 10 % on average and reduce the costs. In the evening, the winners of the six Sustainable Energy Europe Awards (which recognise European excellence in the area of energy efficiency and renewable) will be announced at the Theatre de Vaudeville, Brussels.
On Wednesday 13 April a symbolic and visual event "Energy efficiency: the winning track" in Brussels will feature seven fridges competing for energy efficiency on a special race, demonstrating the benefits of energy labelling for EU citizens.
The EU Sustainable Energy Week is the key annual event of the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign, which showcases activities dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions.
The EU Sustainable Energy Week is organised by the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI) on behalf of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy.
Further information:
For a full list of events in Brussels and across Europe, media highlights:
http://www.eusew.eu/images/pdf/SEE-2011-Programme.pdf,
http://www.eusew.eu/images/pdf/EUSEW2011-MediaHighlights-110401.pdf
