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REDAWN Project launch

REDAWN Project launch

Report from the launch of our REDAWN project: innovations in micro-hydropower technology

On 2 March 2018 the REDAWN project partners organised a launch event hosted by SMPGA at their offices in Saint-Per sur Mer, Normandy. This launch event was designed as a whole day of presentations and discussion, aimed at bringing stakeholders together from across the water industry in the Atlantic Area in order to discuss the innovative technology behind the project, and what opportunities and challenges the project faces.

The REDAWN project aim is to foster the adoption of hydropower energy recovery technology in built water networks in the Atlantic Area (AA). This project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme.

Speakers included senior representatives of local and regional government, project partners and representatives from the French and Portuguese water industry. Around 100 people attended in person, and around 150 more people watched the event as it was livestreamed in English and French on the day. The event was covered by the Ouest-France newspaper.

To watch a film of the launch event follow these links to our YouTube channel:

THE INTRODUCTIONS

Monsieur Guy Lecroisey, the Mayor of Saint Pair-sur-Mer, and Dominique Taillebois, the President of SMPGA, welcomed the audience and explored how SMPGA became involved with this important project.

Pierre Vogt, Member of the Regional Council for Normandy, welcomed the launch of the project, advising that the region is a leader in the circular economy and very committed to the creation of renewable energy. Projects like REDAWN are an essential part of the regional strategy to adapt to climate change.  Saint Pair-sur-Mer was congratulated for its will to be part of an EU project. He was sure that the region will be identified as an exemplar at the EU level.   

David Nicolas, the Mayor of Avranches, placed the project in the context of the establishment of the new water company SMPGA and the building of two water treatment plants that are exemplary for technology to be inaugurated in two months’ time. The REDAWN project coincides with the achievement of the building of these two water plants.   

Senator Jean Bizet, member of the Senate of France representing the Manche department, placed the REDAWN project in the context of a call for action on sustainable development for France, welcoming the project as an exemplar for the positive work that the EU can do collectively at such a critical time.   

THE PRESENTATIONS

A lively and interesting debate was had about the use of the technology in Northern France, challenges relating to the morphology of the landscape and whether the technology represents value for money in the context of other issues, such as leakage in the system.

Opening address: Mr Terry Waugh, Action Renewables
Project overview: Dr Aonghus McNabola, Trinity College, Dublin
Overview of REDAWN technologies: Dr Armando Carravetta, University of Napoli
Case examples in France: Marc Barbion, PAM Saint-Gobain
  Karine Deschamp, Feljas & Masson
  Olivier Salasca, Save Innovations
The Portuguese perspective:  Engr Ruis Silva Santos, Director, RSS Portugal
Demonstration / pilot projects: Prof Helena Margarida Ramos, Technical University of Lisbon
Panel discussion: Led by Dr Aonghus McNabola, Trinity College, Dublin

A lively and interesting debate was had about the use of the technology in Northern France, challenges relating to the morphology of the landscape and whether the technology represents value for money in the context of other issues, such as leakage in the system.

Watch the presentations here: