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It is essential to transport, urban development, financial transactions, digital technology, social exchanges and all the other daily actions we perform without even paying attention to them, such as flipping a switch or using our car. Whether in the private or professional sphere, our quality of life is directly related to energy and how we use it.
But recent events are leading Europe to reconsider its energy strategy and consumption.
Considered a minor issue just a few years ago, climate change is now a matter of consensus.
The various reports drawn up by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and the United Nations point to the role of mankind and its activities in the acceleration in climatic events.
1.1°
4.4°
This upheaval is forcing our modern societies to shift their paradigm and ask themselves the right questions to find a balance between comfort and production in order to reduce our environmental impact and, thus, decrease the effects of global warming.
Territorial conflicts are another important issue. Although local, they often have a considerable global impact.
Among the many unanticipated consequences of a conflict, such as the one happening in Ukraine, is the significant increase of energy prices.
40%
In Europe, electricity prices rose between 40% and 75% from 2021 to 2023
Faced with the damaging impacts of these events on our societies, Europe has pondered over its energy strategy to find solutions to the challenges of energy supply, distribution and production.
Europe currently remains heavily dependent on energy imports.
Even if the share of available energies increased slightly between 2020 and 2021.
Although welcome, this increase is insufficient if we want to achieve the energy sovereignty desired by EU members.
In parallel, the energy the European population consumes mainly comes from fossil fuels, with oil and its derivatives at the top of the list.
36%
Oil and its derivatives accounted for 36% of European energy consumption in 2021
As for environment-friendly energies, their production has risen in recent years, accounting for slightly under 30% of the energy consumed. And Europe continues to invest in the development of renewable energies.
30%
In 2022, renewable energies accounted for about 30% of the global electricity supply.
The ASIMUTE project (Autoconsommation et Stockage Intelligents pour une Meilleure Utilisation de l’Energie – Smart self-consumption and storage for better energy use) came to fruition in this peculiar context, and aims at proposing long-lasting solutions that align with sustainable development and energy efficiency policies.
With the above-mentioned events in mind, the project participants defined the following goals.
Developing smart and innovative technological solutions to reduce household energy consumption without degrading comfort
Placing end-users at the heart of the project, enabling them to manage their energy consumption and spending
Creating a model that ensures balance between consumer energy demand and production capacity
Optimizing energy supply and storage.
To achieve these ambitious goals, the ASIMUTE project is divided into 4 main areas of research. This distribution makes exchanges between each research group easier, while fostering the development of precise, data-driven expertise on the following topics:
Conducting societal studies that analyze household consumption habits, and facilitating communication between public authorities and civil society. This line of research requires the involvement of Upper Rhine citizens.
Securing the data smart meters emit, while paying close attention to the harmonisation of existing legal differences in the Upper Rhine region.
Developing technological, ecological and viable solutions for the deployment and reinforcement of electric mobility.
Studying artificial intelligence and its outcomes on energy consumption in order to optimize regional energy use.
To learn about the intricacies of the project and its related scientific approaches, have a look at the work packages of our academic partners.
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