Specific programme: Secure, Clean and Efficient Energy
UPV/EHU Partner Status: Beneficiary
UPV/EHU PI: Iñaki Barcena
Project start: 01/05/2018
Project end:   30/04/2022

Brief description: mPOWER will enable in-depth, wide-scale and systematic peer-to-peer learning programme between at least 100 local public authorities with a view to replicate innovative best practice in municipal energy. European cities, particularly in Germany, Denmark and France, are municipal energy innovators running distribution networks, supply companies, renewable generation, citizen participation processes and finance for energy projects. Other cities across Europe are investigating their options for municipal energy and are looking to learn. mPOWER will map existing municipal energy policy and identify innovations, best practice, as well as obstacles and barriers. The action will enable participant authorities across Europe to (a) learn from replicable best practices, (b) recognise risks, obstacles and blockages, (c) identify and commit to replication pathways that best suit local needs, (d) incubate at least 30 new and improved municipal energy policies and projects within the project duration. Lessons learnt will be disseminated publicly and through target networks in easily accessible format for replication.

30 cities and city networks from 14 Member States have already expressed interest in participating. An estimated 3.9GWh/year can be saved and 40.8GWh/year renewable capacity installed through replicating practices between participant cities within the action (respectively 9.8GWh/year and 108.8 GWh/year within three years of project end). This can be scaled up around Europe through wider replication, promoted by Energy Cities and partners beyond the project’s lifetime.

mPOWER’s project consortium brings access to an active network of cities committed to energy transition (Energy Cities, IPE), experience in energy policy (Platform, Energy Cities, IPE) and energy innovation (Carbon Coop), public services experts (Glasgow University, Basque University, TNI), and years of innovative peer-learning projects (Platform, TNI, IPE).