EVALUATION

AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF THE LCNF
Table 20 – Comparison of approaches
Main approach Details Partnerships Comparison to UK
France: ADEME (the French environment & energy management agency)
Smart grid
demonstration
projects are
underway in the
framework of the
Investments for
the Future
program.
Smart Grid is one
of the strategic
industrial priority
of the “New
industrial France”
initiative.
ADEME uses dedicated
innovation finance schemes to
facilitate the sharing of risk and
gains, in two forms:
1. Support in the form of state aid,
available via calls for expressions
of interest published on ADEME’s
website. Support may comprise:
• Repayable advances (loans
with a government incentive in
the project’s success).
• Subsidies (only available to
SMEs and research bodies).
Projects funded
bring together
TSO and DSO,
equipment
manufacturers,
ICT companies,
local authorities,
research bodies,
universities and
final consumers.
Equity investments in
projects under the
Investments for the
Future program are
similar to funding
under LCNF.
Funding is also
available via loans and
subsidies, which is
different to that
provided by LCNF.
2. Equity investment as a ‘prudent
investor’:
• SMEs in the venture capital or
growth capital phase: Eco-
Technology Fund overseen by
Bpifrance Investissement.
Amounts of between €1
million and €10 million.
• High-risk industrial projects by
mid-size and large
companies: ADEME invests
directly in project companies.
Investment may potentially
exceed €10 million.
PÖYRY MANAGEMENT CONSULTING
October 2016
713_Poyry_Report_Evaluation_of_the_LCNF_FINAL_Oct_2016_v700.docx
96