Asturias Energy Agency

FAEN has been founded on the 16th July 2001 and it has been active since the 1st February 2002 with the nomination of Mr. Manuel Penche as Manager–Director.
Mr Penche has a broad experience in the energy field and has worked in other enterprises such as Gas de Asturias, S.A., Grupo Hidrocantábrico and Duro Felguera.

Objectives

FAEN general aim is to promote and develop activities related to research, technical development and training with interest for the energetic industry of Asturias, extending those acts to electricity, gas, renewable energies, oil and other energy sectors, energetic and financial markets, and also with other connected sectors, as deliverers and/or consumers.

It also aims to support the Principado of Asturias in the elaboration of an Energy Planning for the Community, promoting energy savings and diversification.

Activities

FAEN carries out several activities related with energy such as studies, energy planning, awareness campaign, energy audits, training, counseling and advisory services, technological energy research and financial aid on energy projects.

Management Board

Representation, administration and management of the Foundation are in charge of the Management Board, composed by the following entities:

• Autonomous Community of the Principado of Asturias, represented by the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Regional Council,
• Economy Development Institute from the Principado of Asturias (IDEPA),
• University of Oviedo,
• Mieres City Hall,
• Official Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Navigation of Asturias (Oviedo, Gijón and Avilés),
• Other private enterprises related to the energy sector.

Mission

The main mission of FAEN is to:

• Attend to the Government of the Principado in the elaboration of the Regional Energy Planning,
• Suggest the origin sources of necessities having the aim on energy saving and environmental consideration.

Areas of intervention

• Renewable energies,
• Energy savings and efficiency,
• Energy planning and external relation.

Renewable Energies
FAEN aim is support the Principado of Asturias in reaching the target of 12% of energy generation by renewable energy sources, marked by the European Union.

In order to reach the target, we are fostering the introduction of new RES technologies, supporting and advising enterprises, institutions and private agents.

Our pillars are the creation of new jobs and the sustainable economical development of the society, taking the maximum advance of autochthonous resources.

In the field of renewable energies, FEAN can advise on the best energy solutions heading to resolve necessities, using autochthonous resources with low costs and important environmental benefits for the entity and society as a whole.

For these reasons we are working on:

• Wind Energy,
• Photovoltaic Solar Energy,
• Thermal Solar Energy,
• Biomass,
• Wastes valuation,
• Combustion Batteries and Hydrogen,
• Mini-hydraulic Energy,
• Other alternative sources (geothermic, oceanic,etc.).

Energy Savings and Efficiency
The main goal is to reduce energy consumption while sustain or, if possible, decrease energy needs.

The areas of intervention in the energy efficiency field are:

• Industrial,
• Tertiary and residential.

The tools to be used are:

• Energy audits,
• Energy planning and management. Development of an action plan with a definition of an energy policy, explaining the objectives and general criteria for energy savings and efficiency and delimitation of concrete action fields,
• Energy Building Qualification,
• Training and information,
• Coordination between university and enterprises or other institutions for the development and implantation of advanced technologies.

Energy Planning and External Relations
FAEN works on the study of the energy regional context, demanding previsions for each economical sector as a reference point for possible actions on the energy policy and on the promotion of different activities related with awareness-raising.

This area of intervention includes the following activities:

• Elaboration of the Energy Balances of the Principado of Asturias (BEPA), annually.
• Development of the Energy Planning for the Principado of Asturias 2001-2010 (PLENPA 2001-2010),
• counseling and training activities for different levels of expertise,
• Awareness raising and promotion, through publications, talks, conferences, seminars, congress, etc.
• Development of energy programs managed at local, regional, national and European level, focused on or involving the Principado of Asturias,
• Cooperation and collaboration with other entities to develop activities in the energy sector.
• Participation in local, regional, national and/or European networks, for exchange of good practices and initiatives, related to the energy world,
• Research of funds for projects on energy savings and use of alternative energy sources.