ÉcoWatt Provence Azur is part of the objectives contract for securing the electricity supply in the eastern part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. The 2011/2012 season of ÉcoWatt Provence Azur begins with the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry signing the commitment charter, thereby raising awareness among the 66,500 businesses and shops in the Alpes-Maritimes: 20,000 shops, 34,500 service companies, 11,500 industries, and construction companies. These businesses in the Alpes-Maritimes consume more than 50% of the department’s electricity.
According to Bernard Kleynhoff, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, “Joining the ÉcoWatt Provence Azur initiative, on the cusp of the winter season, by signing the commitment charter naturally fits into the action logic of the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the energy sector. This document formalizes our commitments to raise awareness and encourage businesses to join and become ‘ÉcoW’actrices’. Our commitment also concerns our own actions as an economic player and towards our employees.”
Foundation and stakes of ÉcoWatt Provence Azur
Every winter, especially during cold snaps, the eastern part of the PACA region faces risks of electricity outages. Launched in December 2010 by RTE and its partners, the ÉcoWatt Provence Azur initiative aims at encouraging the residents of Var, Alpes-Maritimes, and Monaco to adopt “the right habits.”
The goal is to moderate their electricity consumption between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., thus helping avoid the risk of outages during the peak consumption hours. This operation is based on an interactive campaign via the website www.ecowatt-provence-azur.fr and a local engagement program.
An initiative for managing peak electricity consumption
There is only one 400,000-volt electrical axis acting as the main artery for very high voltage transmission in the PACA region. The departments of Var and Alpes-Maritimes produce only 10% of their consumption, meaning 90% of their electricity consumption relies on the supply via the electricity transmission network.
Given this structural network frailty and the increase in consumption, the eastern part of the PACA region might face risks of electricity outages. Every 1°C drop in temperature results in an increase of 50 MW, equivalent to the power demand of the commune of Fréjus.
Moderating consumption helps limit the risks of outages, especially in the evening between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., when it is very cold. Indeed, in winter, electricity demand is highest at the beginning of the evening due to shorter days and lower temperatures.
In this context, RTE, the Prefecture of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes, the General Council of Var, the Principality of Monaco, ERDF, and ADEME have launched, in partnership, “ÉcoWatt Provence Azur, le Bon Geste Energie”: a mobilization campaign to manage peak electricity consumption.
It is part of the panel of Electricity Demand Management actions implemented by the signatories of this objectives contract and allows specific responses to peak consumption issues.
Initiated by RTE, this initiative is also a means to limit outage risks until the planned network enhancement is achieved.
Indeed, the construction of a “safety net” consisting of three underground 225,000-volt connections – between Manosque and Draguignan, Fréjus and Biançon (Lac de St Cassien), and Biançon and Cannes – is scheduled to be completed within 4 years. Beyond 2015, through improved management of peak consumption, the sustainability of this network strengthening for the decades to come is at stake.
