A number of global trends, e.g. climate change, air pollution, declining oil and gas reserves, combined with increasing oil prices point to the need for a shift towards sustainable energy supply, producing renewable energy and using it in an efficient way. In the ERE project, sustainable energy has been identified as renewable energy and energy efficiency. The main aim of the project is to strengthen (energise) the competitiveness of the NS regions by focusing on sustainable energy and the large potentials presented for innovation, a process where the regions have a strategic role to play.

The main aim of the project is to strengthen (energise) the competitiveness of the NS regions by focusing on sustainable energy and the large potentials presented for innovation, a process where the regions have a strategic role to play.

Expected Outcomes

Study: results of the study, discussions with stakeholders, identified strategies as well as project and cooperation initiatives are reported. Internet GIS: (GIS) system completed with results from toolkit and studies, report on use and functionality produced, recommendations regarding continuation given. Toolkit: toolkit is finished, all study methodologies, study results, good and bad examples, identified obstacles and transnational initiatives are included. In general: results will be actively disseminated to the target groups: regions in the North Sea Area, national ministries and DG TREN (Transport and Energy) and DG Region of the European Commission as well as the regional stakeholders (also see 9.2)

Activities

1) Project management 2) Study regional potential and define strategies to strengthen regional economy through sustainable energy 3) Internet GIS 4) Identify best practices and create a toolkit for strengthening regional economies through sustainable energy

Reported Outcomes

The framework for the new website for external communications and dissemination was delivered and the site will go online the 1st of October. Aalborg University finished the comprehensive energy systems inventory and energy systems model, which was subsequently used by the core partners to analyse and make available their regional data. In addition, Aalborg University is working on the point data navigator for showing the regional partner's particular points of interest and, at a later stage, examples for best practices. Aalborg University has also done development work for using mahup technologies for so-called distributed GIS, where project partners can add data to a mapping system interactively. In Fryslan work for the ERE study was tendered to analyse energy statistics, define economic opportunities and generate project initiatives. Data collection was finished. In Vastra Gotaland the major consultancy report "An economy less dependent on fossil energy" was available in March. As a follow-up, this study will now be used as basis for a very ambitious consultation process with stakeholders. Regarding International cooperation, ERE is used as a platform to discuss project ideas and identify new partnerships.