For Spain to meet greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets efficiently and promptly, and implement the identified (feasible) technical solutions for energy transition to low carbon, it is imperative to break down the national goals to the local level systematically. The promotion of a multi-partner local approach helps solve complex, cross-cutting issues such as reducing carbon emissions from a local area. Local-level actors and local authorities can have a significant and long-term impact on the development of MRE systems in Andalusia by driving this area's energy transition road map based on innovation, engagement, and empowerment.
In this context, the proposed energy governance
model consists of several actors that can amplify local climate policies and
initiatives to be expanded and upscaled, by acting in three different
directions: i) upwards: through influencing local and national government; ii)
downwards: through energy demand and carbon reduction at the local level, and;
iii) through encouraging, networking with and supporting other groups and
sectors, developing social innovation actions, and facilitating good practices.
Simultaneously, it is important that the local government sets out an agreed
scope on MRE with the national government, encouraging it to participate in the
implementation of national programs and plans actively (e.g., Integrated
National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030) at the local level.
The proposed solution to address the
challenge on energy governance at the local level can be categorised in the
following phases:
Phase 1: Initial mapping and analysis of
the local circumstances to identify the local needs and priorities, conceptualise
and design the type of actions that should be taken.
Phase 2: Identify the most relevant
local stakeholders (both primary and intermediary) and their roles and responsibilities.
Potential stakeholders are local government institutions, universities,
research centres, technology centres, social enterprises, renewable energy
producers, clusters, NGOs and associations, and civil society. Relationships
between the different groups of stakeholders should be clearly stated.
Phase 3: Develop the stakeholder
engagement and governance processes and define the stakeholder engagement and
governance processes and define the most appropriate decision-making processes
and operational methods to be adopted.
Phase 4: Establish an integrated
governance system while ensuring constructive communication and active
involvement of all stakeholders.
Phase 5: Evaluation of the multi-partner governance model and continuous improvement of the process.
All stakeholders will contribute to the
identification of needs and priorities, the evaluation of MRE technologies,
taking into account the MRE resources of Andalusia, and the selection of the
most effective policy measures. Primary and intermediary stakeholders from public
and non-public sectors will perform a wide range of roles. Main areas of
involvement are focused on energy efficiency, energy conservation, and MRE
generation, with the aim to influence energy actions at the local level. For
instance, intermediary organisations can provide tools that enable action, can
organise and facilitate networking and skills sharing channels, and increase
the scale of local schemes to a level where finance providers are interested in
supporting the activity. On the other hand, local governments can develop
public-private partnerships, deliver decarbonisation visions, and foster strong
collaboration between local and national entities to provide MRE systems. Relationships
between the stakeholders should be built on trust and transparent communication,
while horizontal and vertical interactions across the various levels of the
governance system, requiring a considerable coordination endeavour, will drive
policy formation not only at the local level but the national level as well, to
facilitate the implementation of MRE plans.
An overall impact is shifting society from
scarcity to abundance –based on what we have– and tackling issues that cause
environmental and related problems through new and novel ways. The main socio-economic
impacts from the development and implementation of the proposed model are the
following:
·
Empowerment and engagement of
citizens, local administration, and public sector for the energy transition
·
Diversification of energy
supply and reducing dependence on imported fuels
·
Access to local energy supply
and new financing possibilities
·
Creation of new job
opportunities, empowerment of local professionals, and attraction of
inhabitants through the development of MRE at a local level
·
Change of the mindset of the
local population through enhanced knowledge and capacities related to the MRE sector
·
Empowerment of communities to
drive initiatives for a common benefit
·
Raising citizens' awareness on
energy transition and climate change
·
A positive economic impact is
expected since new energy systems based on MRE are a way to decrease taxes
·
Companies would be more incentivised
to invest in MRE technologies locally
·
Encouraging the creation of
start-ups focusing on the development of MRE technologies
·
Greater cooperation between the
public and the private sector regarding MRE technologies in response to the
local needs
·
Fostering research and
innovation for the development of MRE technologies
·
Creating funding opportunities
and attracting investments in MRE technologies
· Improved public health
The main environmental impacts of
the proposed model are the following:
·
Reduction of the environmental
footprint of the local public and private sector
o
Reduction of emissions and
pollution (especially air and water pollution) associated with carbon-intensive
energy sources and fuels consumption
o
Improvement of energy
efficiency locally based on MRE production
o
Development and use of
environmentally friendly technologies
·
Increase of local biodiversity
through proper design and management of MRE installations
The Cyprus Marine Maritime Institute (CMMI) is a Centre
of Excellence for Marine and Maritime Research and Innovation established in
2019 under the EU's HORIZON 2020 Programme Spreading Excellence and Widening
Participation Call. CMMI aims to drive sustainable blue growth by undertaking Research
and Innovation activities guided by industry and society's needs, addressing
the major challenges that the Marine and Maritime sectors face. CMMI fosters
innovation and development by reinforcing the interactions between members of
the quintuple helix to empower sustainable development with a positive impact on
the economy, society, and technology on a local, EU, and global level. CMMI is organised in ten
Research and Innovation Centres with specific focus areas and know-how covering
a broad
spectrum
of marine and maritime disciplines. MRE sector is among the target markets
where CMMI pursues opportunities and implements solutions. Key personnel involved in this
innovation challenge includes the following members:
·
Monica Andreou is a researcher
in the Maritime Human Element Centre (MHEC), dealing with proposals/projects
and initiatives in the Blue Economy area. She has a bachelor's degree in
European Studies and International Relations and a Master's in business
administration (MBA – Project Management). She has been a member of the Project
Management Institute (PMI – PMP) since 2016. After completing her first degree,
she did her internship, for almost one year, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of Greece. She has a working experience of more than 15 years in the
coordination of various projects, from several EU and International co-funded
research/ training programmes. Her main research interests include marine
integrated maritime policy and maritime human element (eg. blue skills blue
career; mentoring.
·
Sofia Maragkidou is a
researcher at the Centre for Marine and Maritime Policy Research and Regional
Cooperation (CM2PR2C) of CMMI. She has a bachelor's degree in EU and
international relations from the University of Macedonia (Greece) and two
Master degrees in European Studies and European Integration from the Institute
for European Studies-Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium). From 2011 until
2013 Ms. Maragkidou worked at the office of a Member of the European Parliament
focusing on the policy areas of regional development and budgetary control. In
addition, she has 5-year experience in the management and implementation of
marine and maritime projects funded by the EU, having worked in organisations such
as the Maritime Institute of Eastern Mediterranean (MarInEM) and the Cyprus
Marine and Maritime Institute. Her main research interests include marine and
maritime policies and regulations, coastal and maritime tourism, marine and
maritime clusters, ocean governance and regional cooperation.
·
Flora Karathanasi is an Associate
Scientist at the Cyprus Marine Observation Network (CyMON) of CMMI, with a PhD
from the Department of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering of NTUA. Between
2014 and 2020, she worked as a Junior Researcher at the Institute of
Oceanography of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR). Her main
research interests include assessment studies of marine renewable energy
resources (especially offshore wind and waves), long-term modelling of metocean
climate, extreme value analysis of metocean parameters, and numerical
simulation models for waves, currents, and sediment transport.