An impressive reduction in electricity consumption has recently been observed in the Territoire de Belfort, located in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of France. In the period from October 15, 2022 to April 9, 2023, compared with the same period the previous year, the Territoire de Belfort recorded one of the sharpest falls in household electricity consumption, with a reduction of 9.7%.
The Key Role of Street Lighting
It all started with a focus on street lighting in and around Belfort. Better detection of street lighting faults has triggered a veritable virtuous circle. This department, the smallest in France outside the Paris region, has succeeded in combining various factors to achieve these impressive gains in electrical sobriety.
The Ingredients of Success
Several factors have contributed to the Territoire de Belfort’s success in saving energy:
1. Networking of smart meters : The Territoire de Belfort has built on the successful deployment of Linky smart meters, with 76,000 meters installed and 93% of departmental sites connected. This infrastructure has made it possible to better identify consumption peaks by zone and to raise public awareness.
2. Receptive population: The local population has been receptive to electricity-saving initiatives. Residents have understood the importance of reducing their consumption and have actively participated in energy-saving efforts.
3. Thermal renovation work: Thermal renovation work in buildings has helped reduce demand for electric heating.
4. Reducing public lighting: Some communes, like Danjoutin, have decided to switch off public lighting at night for several years now. This has not only reduced electricity consumption, but also enabled us to modernize our lighting equipment.
Public Lighting and Awareness
The city of Belfort played a central role in this success. It has introduced energy-saving initiatives, including switching off public lighting from 01:00 to 05:00 in the morning from November 2022. The campaign has been well received by local residents. What’s more, it has been a key factor in the Territoire de Belfort’s overall success in saving energy.
Towards a Sustainable Future
The Territoire de Belfort has no intention of stopping there. The department plans to create a smart district, called Belfort-E Start, which will be a demonstrator of the sustainable city. This ambitious project aims to establish France’s largest renewable energy community, with a photovoltaic production capacity of 3.3 megawatt-peak. It will also be coupled with energy storage solutions based on batteries and green hydrogen.
The Belfort-E Start project will be deployed at the heart of the Techn’Hom business park, taking advantage of existing infrastructures and producing energy as close as possible to where it will be consumed.
The Territoire de Belfort, with its commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, represents an inspiring example of what can be achieved through awareness-raising, technological innovation and community collaboration.
