National workshop - October 2011 - Lisbon

Lisboa E-nova organized in October 2011 a two days’ workshop aimed at introducing solar urban planning. The workshop was attended by 67 participants among urban planners, architects and engineers. 7 speakers were invited to participate and share their experiences in dynamic two days session that approached a wide range of topics, from solar radiation, to the basic concepts of solar technologies and applications, the national and local framework for adopting solar solutions and the integration of solar solutions within the conventional energy supply system. The two days’ workshop ended with a tour to a BiPV building, where attending had the occasion to perceive the architectural opportunities for integrating PV into a building’s façade.

On the 3rd of March, a workshop has been organized by Lisboa E-Nova in Lisbon. It raised for the first time the discussion around solar urban planning. The number of participants clearly states the importance of the theme and level of awareness these themes begin to gain.

The presentation gave an initial overview of the actual policies being adopted at the national level regarding the promotion of renewables, namely the targets set within the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan and the National Energy Strategy. Incentives for decentralized production were also discussed, a particular point of interest as the micro-generation framework has recently changed, and so have the associated feed-in-tariffs for solar PV. This can be perceived as a clear opportunity to enhance and develop new policies that bring to the realm the unique values of solar technologies in the urban environment and the importance of maximizing their role if integrated in urban planning instruments. The part to be played by the public administration regarding the adoption of energy efficiency measures and renewable energies technologies is also an actual point, as the Decree Law nº. 29/2011, from the 28th February, regulates private investments in public buildings, in associated partnerships with balanced revenues. This opportunity, particularly important in this time when public investments are scarce, is to be assessed also by the Lisbon Municipality within the evaluation of public buildings capacity to received micro and mini generation systems through PV technologies.

The presentation on the POLIS project enhanced the European cooperation among the consortium and the added value that comes from the share of experiences. The Best Practices manual was presented, highlighting the Portuguese best practices presented, emphasizing the most innovative one, the Baixa Pombalina Solar Integration Potential Map developed with another European project, the PROSTO project. The Lisbon Solar Action Plan was the center of attentions, as well as the pilot actions being developed. The city’s potential evaluation methodology, based on IEA-PVPS-Task 7, was presented and the need for targets definition, in line with the existing targets set in the Lisbon Energy-Environment Strategy was stressed. The Boavista Plan was presented more in detail, specifically in the framework of becoming an Eco-neighborhood and having already compromised local energy production targets through solar technologies. The assessment being developed on the municipal buildings solar potential presented already some results and the foreseen dissemination activities were also listed, highlighting the cooperation with the European Solar Days Initiative taking place in the beginning of May.

The discussion was very fruitful and open. Questions evolved around the need to establish solar urban planning procedures in legal and administrative instruments, what implies a political compromise and will. The evaluation of potential was received with enthusiasm and opened the discussion on how to perceive buildings and the potential for BiPV solutions, oriented to architects and engineers needs and to the urban requalification market. The importance of accessing potentials to maximize the use of solar technologies according to the best location and taking the most out of the systems was discussed. New incentives and models for investing in solar technologies are needed as feed-in-tariffs schemes are temporary supports, upon which the market excessively builds, without acknowledging the opportunities for potential maximization, need for regulation and more demanding targets when it comes to buildings energy performance. The need for awareness and information activities was stressed and the audience showed interest in solar practices workshops and practical activities.

To view the presentation and listen to the podcast please go to : http://lisboaenova.org/index.php?op...

For more information, contact Joana Fernandes : joanafernandes@lisboaenova.org