Where the change begins
The completion of the Renewable Energy Valley “Living Lab” (REV-Lab) relies on the establishment of four Community Energy Labs (CELs) which will use different renewable sources including solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, biogas/biomethane and hydrogen.
Conceived as innovation hubs, these Community Energy Labs will meet the annual energy demands of the local communities, while involving them in energy production and management.
Conceived as innovation hubs, these Community Energy Labs will meet the annual energy demands of the local communities, while involving them in energy production and management.
What makes Crete special?
Crete is the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, both in terms of area and population. Its strategic location gives it a unique advantage, combining abundant wind potential and solar radiation. Additionally, Crete boasts significant biomass resources derived from agricultural processes, livestock farming, and urban organic waste.
With its diverse geographical and climatic conditions, the island provides an ideal setting for establishing a Renewable Energy Valley “Living Lab” (REV-Lab). This initiative aims to address the energy requirements of local communities by leveraging the island’s rich renewable energy potential.
Devoluy (France)
Situated in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, Devoluy faces the challenge of garnering support from residents and tourists for embracing a low-carbon development model. The initiative will focus on raising awareness and acceptance of large-scale renewable energy solutions, such as MW-scale PV fields or biomass plants, while preserving the area’s natural heritage and landscape.
Local partner: Electricité de France
Dingle (Ireland)
The Dingle Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) aims to develop toolkits to empower citizens to become prosumers and increase the adoption of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) at the district level. Specific use cases include increasing energy system flexibility through agriculture, implementing data-driven approaches to improve energy sufficiency and electric transport integration and bolstering the resilience of the local energy community.
Local partner: Dingle Hub
Terni (Italy)
Located in the Umbria Region, Terni will witness new planning tools to foster synergies and retrofitting actions among electricity, water distribution networks, e-mobility, and hydrogen-based mobility. The project’s goal is to achieve progressive levels of energy autarky by designing smart electrolysers and compressors, promoting green hydrogen, and engaging citizens through local energy communities to foster awareness and encourage new sharing-economy-based business models.
Local partner: ASM Terni, Emotion
Graciosa (Portugal)
Graciosa is a small, isolated island in the Autonomous Region of Azores with limited local energy sources. The project will analyse, simulate, and demonstrate the integration of new energy assets to maximize renewable penetration, minimise diesel power plant operating costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lessen the total environmental impact of the Graciosa energy system.
Local partner: Capwatt, XKW consulting and engineering, Graciolica
Follower communities: preparing the ground for more
Transforming Crete into a renewable energy system is our first objective but we don’t stop there. The Greek initiative will offer a significant testbed for the future development of new Renewable Energy Valleys in Europe. This ambitious journey begins with our four Follower Communities (FOL-COMs).
The CRETE VALLEY consortium will support these communities who share the same mission and are committed to developing their replication plans based on what has been done in Crete.
Latest updates
A Renewable Energy Valley launches in Crete to lead the European energy transition
A three-day event to kick-off the REV-Lab
SGI 2024 – Smart Grid Ireland Innovation Conference
The CRETE VALLEY partner, EPRI Europe, will bring our project at the SGI innovation conference.
Co-funded by the European Union under grant agreement no. 101136139. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
