In France, activities on solar energy have
started early, with the construction of the solar furnace of Mont-Louis
in 1947, and of the big solar furnace in Odeillo around 1970 by CNRS,
close to the former. Then, in 1983, an experimental solar powerplant
was built in Targasonne, also in the south of France, but was stopped prematurely. It is significant that this
experimental powerplant, which has inspired several models of so called
“tower powerplants” over the world, is now rehabilitated, and gives the
opportunity to experience new processes in near future.
For now, several french organisms,
institutions, and associations, are working entirely or partially in
the development and the use of renewable energies, and for the
improvement of sustainable development approaches. We can mention ADEME
(Agence de l’Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l’Energie – Agency of
Environment and Mastering of Energy), CNRS (National Centre for
Scientific Research), ANR (Agence Nationale de la Recherche – National
Agency for Research), EDF and particularly EDF-EN (Electricité de
France; Energies Nouvelles – Electricity of France; renewable
energies), ministries of research, for sustainable develop-ment, etc.
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In southern countries, the
same tendency is appearing, in particular with the appearance of
structures for developping specifically the renewable energies. It is
highly desirable in future to follow a global approach, in particular
for optimizing the use of desert zones for energy production and for
organizing research and industrialization in the frame of the
sustainable development.
For all these reasons, this
special issue is certainly a pale reflect of the forthcoming volumes in
next years! If, nevertheless, this volume of ISJAEE may modestly help
in structuring collaborations between southern and northern countries,
it will play a significant role in the right direction.

Opening of the international meeting “Energaia” on renewable energies,
organized by the “Conseil Régional
Languedoc-Roussillon”
Montpellier (France) 6-8 december 2007
Professor Pierre SAINT-GREGOIRE
University of Nîmes (France) - stgreg@ferroix.net
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