The energy unit: spearheading Etterbeek's fight against energy poverty.
The energy unit has been in existence in Etterbeek since 1985. Issues related to energy and water consumption, as well as energy poverty, have been taken seriously for 40 years. The evolution of the energy market with its liberalization in Brussels in 2007 prompted the energy unit to move forward and professionalize in order to support people experiencing difficulties in paying their bills. In 2013, the unit hired its first energy advisor to carry out home visits. The aim is to go out into the field to prevent problems and raise awareness about the rational use of energy and water.
Energy crises and climate challenges
Requests for assistance have been on the rise, particularly since the Covid crisis and the energy crisis linked to the war in Ukraine. Global warming is making life even more difficult for citizens. The energy unit, as well as the municipality, are striving to find ways to transition from a purely curative approach to a preventive one. In other words, how can we anticipate and counter this hidden energy insecurity? This question is essential because it forces us to consider our practices and working methods from a new perspective. That is why it is essential to explore other ways of doing things and to expose ourselves to innovative initiatives such as those developed and proposed by Getafe.
EmPoweringUs: Let's go!
On site, our warm hosts are bursting with enthusiasm and contagious energy. Fernando Gonzales is the head of the EPIU project in Getafe. He truly embodies the momentum that has been building in his municipality for several years now. We meet our lead expert, Klemen Strmsnik, who oversees and coordinates this project to transfer practices. His role is essential to ensuring that such an undertaking can be seen through to completion. We then get to know the men and women from the partner cities, all located in southern Europe. It turns out that Etterbeek is the northernmost municipality of the partnership, which is an important factor to consider. Indeed, energy poverty is not necessarily experienced in the same way depending on geographical location. There are similarities and differences in the issues encountered, which are interesting to discover through our discussions with our interlocutors as we tackle this complex subject. Sharing different approaches is enriching when we realize that we are not the only ones with good ideas or best practices. In Etterbeek, for example, we are faced with the challenge of combating overheating in homes during the summer, an issue that has already been addressed in southern Europe.
A data lake : an invaluable wealth
In Getafe, we learn about the EPIU project's data collection. Quite a program! We are told that by creating a ‘reservoir’ of accurate, carefully encoded information, this data can be used to identify households that are experiencing energy poverty but are not coming forward. To be honest, we are initially perplexed. The municipality of Etterbeek has not really considered this angle as a basis for its work. The debate is launched within our team. We weighed up the pros and cons. We recognized the usefulness of the promising software presented, as it generates a multi-layered virtual map covering the territory of Getafe. This map of the municipality is a juxtaposition of diverse and varied thematic information that highlights in greater detail the neighborhoods, buildings, or households requiring targeted and tailored public support.
Constructive and unifying collaboration
We recognize that data processing can potentially provide answers. We understand the importance of developing a strategy based on data collected in the field. Above all, we are learning that it is essential to develop a methodology that serves citizens. Thanks to this first transnational meeting in Getafe, we have increased collaboration between municipal services, as well as with the Public Social Welfare Center and other external partners. There is no denying that a new, inspiring, and motivating dynamic has been set in motion. As for the use of artificial intelligence as a tool for more effective and rapid detection of energy poverty, we say: “Wait and see.”
