Young French engineer establishing a blueprint for high-impact energy retrofits announced as a finalist in the European Sustainable Energy Awards

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Up to 144 buildings in small localities in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region will undergo deep energy retrofits in the next year, generating more than 7.8 GWh/year of energy savings, the equivalent of removing 1,191 vehicles from the road for a year, and representing investments totalling € 23.7 million. Through one-stop-shop services set up as part of the EU-funded BAPAURA project, municipalities in the region are gaining access to tools and knowledge to ensure that building renovations achieve their maximum potential for energy efficiency. The project is managed by Marie Jeanmougin, whose engagement in the project has been recognised as a key factor in its success and expected replicability in France and Europe.

'I am inspired to work in the public sector and support municipalities, not only because the energy transition is so important right now for the environment, but also for society,’ says Marie. ​ ‘Helping municipalities realise energy savings through building renovations not only contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but it also helps to build a resilient future. This way, we can better adapt buildings to heatwaves and future climactic conditions, as well as improve air quality in building types such as schools.'

Marie set her sights on working on the energy transition from an early age. After graduating in 2014 with an engineering degree in energy, she worked conducting building audits and feasibility studies of district heating networks before joining the French Agency for Ecological Transition, ADEME, in 2020.

As the BAPAURA project manager, Marie works with the project partners to help them develop the best tools, organise training sessions and exchange know-how within the network. She creates a stimulating, sharing environment that allows partners to co-create new methods and tools, making these resources immediately available to all stakeholders. Her engineering background has helped her work alongside technical partners

‘Marie has pushed the potential of BAPAURA by establishing the profession of “renovation support agent” and started its nationwide deployment. Through her strong leadership and ability to build trust and connect stakeholders, she has turned the project consortium into a true team and even opened the door to expand this network at a national level,’ says Hakim Hamadou.

‘Marie is a very inspiring person because she is really committed to supporting local authorities in the energy transition. She has a very strong and dynamic network, resulting in high-quality tools and meaningful exchanges with partners,’ says Marie’s colleague Marine Renou.

Renovating buildings in small and mid-sized municipalities can be challenging due to a lack of access to information and tools. BAPAURA provides the technical, financial and legal tools to support municipalities in fulfilling the savings potential of every renovation project. To date, the project has successfully brought 11 other territories onboard, covering 25% of France. A project capable of bridging such a gap was long overdue, and now the renovation of buildings can be adequately supported for many years to come. ​

As the single largest energy consumer in the EU, buildings account for about 40% of the EU’s energy consumption and 36% of its greenhouse gas emissions. Building renovations for energy efficiency are therefore crucial to meeting European energy and climate goals. The project, which is funded under the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, responds to the EU’s goal of secure, clean and efficient energy and its Renovation Wave Strategy that sets out to at least double renovation rates in the next ten years. Such actions are delivering on the European Green Deal, and more urgently, supporting the REPowerEU Plan to accelerate the clean energy transition and increase Europe’s energy independence.

The incoming generation ushers in clean energy for Europe 

Marie Jeanmougin is one of three finalists shortlisted for the European Sustainable Energy Awards 2022 in the Young Energy Trailblazer category. The award recognises people under the age of 35 carrying out outstanding activities that advance the clean energy transition in Europe and inspire ambitious climate and energy action. The other finalists in the Young Energy Trailblazer category are Carla Silva Gonçalves and Timea Farkas.

Carla Silva Gonçalves, a 30-year-old from Portugal, is using her maths skills to advance the energy transition. Timea Farkas is a 25-year-old research engineer and PhD candidate from Romania whose engagement in three EU-funded projects is improving energy efficiency among SMEs.

European Sustainable Energy Awards honour changemakers taking bold action on energy and climate goals

The European Sustainable Energy Awards recognise outstanding individuals and projects for their innovation and efforts in energy efficiency and renewables. Prizes will be awarded in four categories: innovation, local energy action, woman in energy, and young energy trailblazer. Finalists are chosen by a high-level jury from a shortlist of the year’s most successful projects and actions for clean, secure and efficient energy. The winners will be decided by an online public vote which is open now until 18 September. 

EUSEW 2022

The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) takes place on 26 to 30 September under the theme ‘Going green and digital for Europe’s energy transition’. EUSEW will bring thousands of sustainable energy stakeholders together both in Brussels and online to discuss Europe’s energy independence ambitions and climate goals through the REPowerEU Plan’s measures of energy savings, diversification of energy supplies and an accelerated roll-out of renewables. ​ 

Registrations for onsite and online attendance are now open. 

For interview requests with the EUSEW 2022 Award finalists or additional media information, please contact media@eusew.eu