To accelerate the transition of our territories towards a decarbonized and sustainable society, the Ministry of Energy and Ecological Transition launched a call for initiatives in 2014.

The winning territories, called Positive Energy Territories for Green Growth (TEPCV), are numerous. This is an opportunity, because the program therefore makes it possible to implement a varied panel of innovative solutions at the local level.

To become a laureate, these territories meet criteria of excellence in terms of energy and ecological policies. Here is the essential thing to remember and especially to discover about these territories, which, at their level, are actors in the transformation of our society.

The principles of positive energy municipalities

The goals of energy sobriety

To limit global warming and strengthen the energy resilience In France, a reduction in our energy consumption is essential.

The winning territories use various practices and are implementing a strategy to reduce their consumption by 40%. Several initiatives have a drastic impact on the consumption of a territory:

• Reduce the consumption of housing and public spaces;
• Renovation of public buildings to put an end to thermal sieves;
• Modernization of electrical installations, in particular public lighting through the use of LED lighting;
• Communication with residents to change their consumption habits.

Renewable energy sources

Territories have an important role to play in the deployment of green energies because they have the right to life and death on the majority of projects EnR (renewable energies) at the local level.

TEPCVs take advantage of numerous carbon-free means of production according to the characteristics of their territory.

The best known remains solar energy, very flexible thanks to the different types of power plants: ground power plants, roof top stations and photovoltaic awnings on car parks (≥ 1,000 m²).

Next comes Wind energy, maritime and terrestrial, which is the subject of much debate in communities because it is a victim of prejudices (noisy, bird-killing, harmful to health, etc.).

Other less common means of production are also financed by the program: biomass heat networks (heating), agricultural and industrial methanizers (heating), cogeneration (industry), geothermal energy (heating) and small hydroelectricity (Hydraulic power).

Smart energy management

To achieve the objectives set by the government, the TEPCV must establish an energy strategy consistent with a long term vision. This involves ambitious projects to replace fossil fuels (gas, oil) using less polluting energies such as biomethane, Hydrogen and synthetic fuel oils.

Distribution networks can also be improved to accommodate the production (electricity, gas and e-fuels) of existing and future renewable energy projects, all at a local scale. In addition, the integration of intelligent electrical networks would make it possible to optimize distribution and consumption in real time on the local network.

The advantages of positive energy communes

Financial assistance to save energy

The TEPCV receive financial assistance of €500,000 for the realization of their projects. This aid can be increased to 2 million euros if the projects are highly relevant and part of a long-term strategy.

With this financial support, the TEPCVs have been working since 2014 on the energy transition of their territory. We can therefore deduce that after 9 years of development, they were able to stand out from the crowd in the context of soaring energy prices (reduction in consumption and production of cheap green energies).

The advantages for citizens

The inhabitants of the TEPCV benefit from the benefits resulting from the ambition of their territory in terms of energy transition :

• Development of a circular and sustainable economy;
• A reduction in air pollution thanks to carbon-free transport and clean mobility arrangements (bike paths, charging stations);
• An environmental policy that favors biodiversity and the health of citizens (no pesticides for example);
• The creation of jobs in several sectors (construction, recycling, establishment of local and innovative industries).

The benefits for local businesses

TEPCV investments directly benefit local businesses. Some projects, such as the renovation of buildings and the installation of renewable energy plants, make it possible to create businesses or to develop the activity of existing ones.

It should be borne in mind that the energy transition Recovering waste hitherto seen as of little use. For example, many farms have started producing biomethane. A biomethanizer uses agricultural waste to make gas and non-chemical fertilizers. This gas can then be injected into the city network to heat homes.

In this specific case, either the TEPCV finances the project directly, or it expands the gas network across its territory to encourage operators to also produce biomethane.

The actions of Positive Energy Territories for Green Growth (TEPCV) to contribute to the energy sobriety of cities

The promotion of soft mobility

Adopting low-carbon vehicles must be a priority for TEPCVs, especially to decarbonize the most polluting public transport such as buses. Indeed, the majority of French people (69% in 2021) use the bus to get around when they use public transport. The challenge is significant for the winners with a large population pool, because we are talking about thousands of vehicles as well as adjacent installations (superchargers, hydrogen terminals).

It is in terms of infrastructure that the territories are expected to turn the corner. Without initiatives from local authorities, it is difficult for households to plan and invest in green vehicles.

It is different for businesses because they have more means of financing, but support from local authorities will accelerate their transition. Especially since the European Union will ban the sale of new combustion cars by 2035. It is imperative that municipalities anticipate the arrival of electric cars and hydrogens on the roads, it is a real added value for TEPCV.

Setting up heating and cooling networks

An essential element of territorial energy planning, Heating networks represent an important challenge because France consumes 50% of its energy in heat production. For sustainable cities, positive energy territories develop, modernize and extend heating networks by orienting them towards renewable and recovered energies. Several processes exist to optimize these networks:

• Recover the fatal heat;
• Use subsurface energy via geothermal energy;
• Burn some biomass from farms (agricultural, forestry, industrial);
• Capturing solar energy with thermal panels.

Refrigeration networks are also required to develop at the initiative of the territories. Less energy-intensive but with increasing demand due to the increase in summer temperatures (and urban heat islands), municipalities must increase the share of renewable energy in their energy mix to decarbonize their refrigeration networks.

The challenges of positive energy municipalities to contribute to the energy sobriety of cities

Technical challenges

Positive energy territories face numerous technical challenges that require a wide range of skills, ranging from energy purchase strategies to urban heat/cold networks. For this reason, territories must be able to To form And to be Accompanied by experts to assist them in these projects.

Legislation, which is very cumbersome and very complex, also considerably complicates the energy transition. Despite the law on the acceleration of renewable energies, all the projects mentioned above require extensive studies and sometimes face strong opposition, extending the duration of the implementation of projects.

Beyond technical issues, these projects represent a great opportunity to develop the attractiveness of territories and to give a greater role to local authorities in the energy transition.

Financial challenges

To achieve the goals set by the EU and the Paris Agreement, the TEPCV need massive funding. Government funding is important but is only intended to be the launching pad for the energy transition. Businesses and individuals must also participate in this national effort.

Organizational challenges

Coordinating all actors and projects in a coherent manner will prove difficult for territories and government agencies. It is necessary Plan investments over long time scales, of 10 to 25 years, and this despite political upheavals.

Fortunately, there is consensus on climate change among the various political groups. It remains to find solutions that also reach consensus at the local level, which is far from easy.

The Positive Energy Territories for Green Growth (TEPCV) are making a strong and necessary commitment to France's energy transition. By developing the use of simple technologies, renewable energies and new methods of energy management, they are part of pioneers of transition at the local level. These investments are already making it possible to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and give committed municipalities prospects for economic, social and environmental development.

At the level of an individual or a company, numerous solutions exist to reduce energy consumption and get closer to carbon neutrality: Low Techs, solar power plants, electrification of uses... (and many others to be found on our site!).