Future proofing our energy supply with smart grid deployment in Southern France

As we use more energy than ever before, our electricity, heating and cooling infrastructure is struggling to keep up – especially at peak hours. Smart grids and their large-scale deployment are essential to meeting these challenges; and IRIS Smart Cities exploring ways to meet needs at reasonable costs with smart energy management systems, new storage techniques and connecting renewables.

IRIS partners in Nice are helping to further mainstream smart grids by collaborating and exchanging with actors across the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region: FlexGrid Alliance and energy cluster Capenergies. The two organisations are active players in setting-up a large number of smart grids demonstrators throughout the territory, showcasing innovative solutions that could be replicated worldwide.

Local and regional authorities, clusters and industries in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, developed the FlexGrid programme, which will mobilize more than €150 million of investment from public and private partners (68 % from local and regional investors) to carry out smart grid projects. The network has 40 projects in the pipeline or in development and more than 300 companies, notably major industrial groups – including DSOs and TSOs – and innovative SMEs.

FlexGrid and IRIS: future perspectives

With such a natural fit of interests and ambitions, Alain Chateau of Metropole Nice Cote d’Azur, Frédéric Olive of Enedis and Sophie Decanson of Cofely-Engie were delighted to be part of a recent FlexGrid regional meeting in Cannes, 14 June 2019.

With the support of IRIS French partners, Mr Chateau shared key elements and timelines for the project demonstrations. The next step will be for IRIS Smart Cities Nice demonstrators to become a recognized member of the FlexGrid programme, helping to accelerate and provide new solutions for increased energy supply security and flexibility across the region. An application process will begin in September 2019 and the aim is to be certified by year-end.

An exciting additional access point into the dynamic French industrial energy ecosystem with benefits for all members and followers of IRIS Smart Cities.

20 Jun 2019

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