Raising awareness through conferences on energy in Figueres

Raising awareness through conferences on energy in Figueres
Background
The City of Figueres and the Local Energy Agency organised a series
of conferences opened to all citizens dealing with different aspects
of energy. These sessions took place in public areas such as the local
library or the training centre of Figueres.
Process
Three conferences were organised.
1. The consumer and the electrical market (26 January 2012)
This first conference focused on how to reduce electricity bills. The
speaker was Montse Porterias, from the Local Energy Agency. The
aim was to provide citizens with information to understand their
electricity bills and to promote energy savings.
2. The Transition Towns initiative (26 February 2013)
The speakers of this conference were Filipa Pimentel and Juan del
Río. The aim was to present the Transition Towns movement, which
suggests an alternative model of local development with energy and
goods produced in a sustainable way, getting the sense of community back and living in an eco-friendly way.
3. The experience of the city of Wildpoldsried (Germany)
Günter Möguele, Deputy Mayor of Wildpoldsried, presented the
energy transition model in his town. In only 20 years, Wildpoldsried,
p.15
Part B / Lost in energy transition? Methods & tools
INVOLVING LOCAL PLAYERS
the “Energy village” has been able to produce five times more
energy than it uses, using renewable sources.
Results
It was the first time such conferences on energy issues were organised in Figueres. The discussion on the energy model and the
need of a public debate had never been suggested to the citizens.
Therefore, that was the first step to open a debate and the first
experience of exchanging knowledge between experts and citizens.
These conferences helped raise awareness amongst citizens.
Citizens showed a great interest in learning how to read their bills,
as it is a daily concern which usually brings confusion.
The experience of Wildpoldsried was a positive surprise for citizens
as they could see a city project come true.
The Transition Towns presentation brought together followers of
this movement, who had the opportunity to know it better.
Budget
€250 to cover the travel costs for speakers from the Transition Towns
network.
Outreach
The attendance was different in every session, with an average of
around 30 participants per conference.