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The EXPRESS project under the Interreg Europe, funded by the European Regional Development Fund, held its 4th study visit, workshop, and masterclass in Paris on 9th to 10th April 2024. Hosted by Agence Parisienne du Climat (APC), the meetings had in attendance representatives from eight partner regions engaging in workshops, masterclasses, and site visits. Representing Ireland were Paddy Phelan, CEO, South East Energy Agency (SEEA), Dr. Dewi Vliexs, Senior EU Projects Officer, SEEA, and Mary Molloy, Regional Planner, Southern Regional Assembly. The aim of the study visit was to explore public policies related to renewable energy access in collective housing and urban areas. 

Day one featured the opening of the masterclass and workshop in Académie du Climat followed by presentation of Paris Climate Plan, highlighting objectives in terms of decarbonisation and energy transition including the measures implemented to achieve these objectives. Master Class presentations by CoachCopro and EnerSIG on good practices in energy renovations for condominiums across France, preceded the workshop on ‘Public Policies for Access to Renewable Energy in Collective Housing’, where project partners had the opportunity to present what is applicable in their country. 

Paddy Phelan spoke on ‘Residential Retrofit Plan Policy for South East Ireland: Implementation of Renewable Energy Access’. He shared Ireland’s National Residential Retrofit Plan, targets, major factors influencing fuel poverty and government schemes available for this plan. The CEO further shared the hard figures on the number of Solar PV implemented under the different grant schemes in the South East Region, with County Wexford having 1089 individual energy upgrade grants, County Kilkenny, 13 One-Stop Shop grants, and County Waterford, 22 community energy grants. 

 

The activities continued with a tour on the sustainable housing forum, ‘le Forum Habiter Durable’ at the Paris City Hall, where the event for condominium renovation showcasing innovative urban housing approaches was premiered.

 


The second day opened with a study visit to a heat production plant, CPCU Saint Ouen Plant for the Paris heating network with biomass and waste heat recovery, and the Condominium Résidence Vouillé-Brancion, to learn their success stories in reducing energy consumption through exterior and roof renovation and renewable energy generation through solar PV in the roof.

 

Learn more about this meeting and study visit: https://bit.ly/3xRvFgC