CEESEN in conference in Belarus on June 28th
CEE Sustainable Energy Network coordinator will participate in annual Covenant of Mayors conference in Iuje, Belarus on June 28th 2018. Belarus, like other Eastern European countries, has a good potential for transforming to low-carbon economy. CEESEN members can share their knowledge and experiences with their partners in Belarus on supporting the local forerunners of sustainability.
The conference is part of “Strong CoM – Strengthening the Covenant of Mayors Movement in Belarus”, funded by the European Union under the EU4Energy initiative. EU4Energy covers all EU support to improve energy supply, security and connectivity, as well as to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewables in the Eastern Partner countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine). It does this by financing projects and programmes that help to reform energy markets and to reduce national energy dependence and consumption. Over the long term, this makes energy supply more reliable, transparent and affordable, thus reducing energy poverty and energy bills for both citizens and the private sector.
Read more from EU Neighbours portal.
Regional energetic map for the Northeast planning region till 2050
Deputy Minister of Local Self-Government Mr. Pavleski in Kumanovo: Coordination in planning of all levels in government , with the involvement of all stakeholders
Deputy Minister of Local Self-Government Dejan Pavleski participated today in the panel organized by the Center for Development of the Northeast Planning Region - Energy Vision for the Northeast planning region, within the framework of the project "Partnership for new energy leadership 2050".
In the presence of the Mayors from the Northeast planning region, the new Energy Map of the Northeast region was discussed in accordance with the European Union standards for energy transition, in the gradual replacement of fossils with renewable energy sources.
Deputy Minister of Local Self-Government Mr.Pavleski emphasized that the Government's Program emphasizes the determination to restore the lost energy security and stability of the Republic of Macedonia, reduce the costs of energy and energy poverty, and the politics of the sun to become a source of energy in the households. In this direction is subsidizing the construction of photovoltaic power plants in the households and encouraging development in the domestic economy by opening factories for the production of photovoltaic panels and modules.
- Current energy policies within the European Union require full adaptation at all levels, especially at the local level, which delivers a large number of services and has specific competencies, by providing conditions for fostering local development. Taking into account this fact, the Ministry of Local Self Government in the Program for Sustainable Local Development and Decentralization by 2020 places emphasis on sustainable local development and growth, which implies sustainable utilization of local resources for economic purposes and development of energy and transport infrastructure, without disturbing the quality of the environment and nature. Basically, it aims to achieve as much as possible a degree of synergy between environmental protection policies and socio-economic development, both horizontally and vertically, Pavleski said.
New RES targets for 2030
On Thursday, 14 June 2018, in the morning, the Commission, the EP and the EU Council agreed a new directive on renewable energy. The target for energy from renewable sources in 2030 is 32 percent with the need to periodically check implementation and the possibility of increasing - said Miguel Arias Canete, European Commissioner for Energy and Climate. This means that in 12 years more than 1/3 of energy in the European Union is to come from wind farms, solar panels, hydroelectric plants and other installations that do not burn fossil fuels.
In addition, the objective of renewable energy in transport is 14 per cent, and a strong reduction of first-generation biofuels and biofuels imports has been assumed. A large strengthening of the role of prosumers, i.e. installations with a capacity below 25 kW, was also assumed.
Which roadmaps are needed for clean energy transition and sustainable future?
Last week, June the 6th, at the annual EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) conference in Brussels, there was held a seminar “Energy plans and roadmaps for sustainable future” initiated by TREA and BPM Business Consulting. The examples of six major successful EU energy-related projects were presented during nearly two hours, sharing their experience in sustainable energy policy creation and inclusion of stakeholders from different levels and institutions.
Although each project is approaching the topic in its own way, there are some highlighted and recurring lessons from project to project. It is important for energy planning, to involve all the stakeholders from the very beginning, and also the politicians should be in the same boat at the beginning of the journey. There are no comprehensive examples of “best practices” as for each region, planning level and goals, the experience depends on a large number of influencers. The speakers pointed out the importance of networking between different regions and levels, as well as courageous engagement – not only in planning, dreaming and setting goals, but also in implementing them.
The session initiated by TREA was inspired by an EU Horizon 2020 programme project PANEL 2050 in which, there has been created a Central and Eastern European Sustainable Energy Network (CEESEN) that brings together the researchers, politicians, NGOs and entrepreneurs from region. The workshop was supported by the European Union through the Horizon 2020 research programme.
Marek Muiste, the project manager of PANEL 2050, leader of the CEESEN Network and a main organizer of the seminar held at EUSEW: Central and Eastern Europe has a strong potential for energy transition to a low carbon economy. The main challenge in the long-term transition process in the region is to create equal policies and equal opportunities for all the stakeholders by not favouring the interests of any particular groups. Seminar introduced the tools and methods to the European forerunners for co-creating inclusive local energy policy. In Tartu Regional Energy Agency, we are looking for new opportunities to include the community into the long-term energy policy, supporting the low-carbon economy in South-Estonia. This is also the main reason for preparing the seminar on energy roadmapping in the “capital of Europe”.
EUSEW is an annual flagship event for energy sector in Europe. Each year, the EUSEW conference, lead by the European Commission with a cooperation of many stakeholders and initiators from all over the region, brings together thousands of stakeholders and enthusiasts from around the world. This year, the focus of the conference was on how to manage the clean energy transition. During three days, more than 60 different seminars, discussions and workshops took place in Brussels, featuring new winds in energy policies, best practices and ideas of sustainable energy.
More information:
https://eusew.eu/energy-plans-and-roadmaps-sustainable-future
The projects presented during seminar:
Czech Sustainable Houses receives another prestigious award, this time from Brussels EUSEW
The initiative started three years ago in the Czech Republic seems to rock all over Europe! After recieving several awards, Czech Sustainable Houses (CSH) won EUSEW 2018 Sustainable Energy Award last week.
Czech Sustainable Houses – closely working together with the Central and Eastern Europe Sustainability Energy Network (CEESEN) - already proved to be a great success, acknowledged by awards like the UN Prize for Social Benefits (SDG, 2015), the Energy Globe Award for Energy Innovation (2017), and the Manager of the Year 2017 for its founder Pavel Podruh. Last week the European Sustainable Energy Week gave place to the distribution of the award, that also honoured the Czech Sustainable Houses (CSH)in the category of Young Energy Leaders. WiseGrid, Saerbeck Bioenergy Park and PEACE_Alps project were also on the prize-list.
"This award offered by the Brussels Institution is a great honour for us. The fact that we have built our initiative without any subsidy and with almost no marketing budget and yet recieve such appreciation, demonstrates that it is certainly possible to mobilize society towards sustainability using publicly available means of communication", said Pavel Podruh, the founder.
A high-level jury selected the winners of EUSEW 2018 Sustainable Energy Awards from the shortlist of 12 finalist across 4 categories – Consumers, Public Sector, Businesses and Young Energy Leaders.
CSH builds on the activities of the Czech Off-Grid House project whose focus is broadly expanding and does not deal only with the extreme case of so-called off-grid (completely source-independent) constructions but with a whole range of partial possibilities of self-sufficiency in various forms and sizes of buildings. This includes the study of so-called hybrid, off-grid passive, low-energy or even active buildings and technologies. CSH's activities range from a large, architectonic student competition, through public workshops and exhibitions, to sensibilisation of the topic of self-sufficiency, to the design and preparation of real estate. Student competitions take part every year, and the topic of self-sufficiency is developed by almost 1000 students per year from all relevant universities, which makes CSH the largest student architectural competition of its kind in the Czech Republic.
CSH participated at CEE Energy Transition Conference 2017 in Prague with inspiring presentation on Stakeholder Engagement Model. CSH is now working closely with Central and Eastern Europe Sustainability Energy Network (CEESEN) on development of Strategic Research Roadmap and Action Plan in order to establish National Technology Platform.
New thinking and approaches - practical training for biogas operators
Most biogas plants have more than half of their public support. They are interested in the current obstacles they will have to overcome. The smart operator, however, sees a little further. Based on the survey among biogas plant operators and after series of consultation with NGO AgEnDa who is Czech partner of international initiative CEESEN the seminar will introduce new way of thinking and approaches towards RES utilization with special stress to the situation where the investor is fully depended on subsidy scheme and what are the challenges when the funding is terminated. In addition, we will focus on biomethan trading opportunities, including specific model calculations, or interesting examples of how to use heat or power directly in the site or in foreign applications.
Training on topic of mobility within Horizon 2020
On the 9th of April training related to the topic of mobility in Horizon 2020 was held for stakeholders in cooperation with Regional Contact Organisation South Bohemia.
The training was focused on learning about new challenges in the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) program, gettting acquainted with the types of grants (European / Global Fellowship) that can be funded, the financial rules of projects, an audit of MSCA projects, and on the processes involved in the preparation of the project.
Czech Sustainable Houses Competition achieved the EUSEW Sustainable Energy Award
Czech Sustainable Houses Competition is awarded as New Energy Leaders by EUSEW 2018 Sustainable Energy Award in Brussels on June 5th 2018. You may remember their inspiring presentation from CEE Energy Transition Conference 2017 (see their presentation Engagement Model Success Story by Pavel Podruh from our Conference 2017 section).
Energy Plans and Roadmaps for Sustainable Future in Brussels on 6.06.2018
Energy Plans and Roadmaps for Sustainable Future
seminar in EUSEW2018 Policy Conference
https://www.eusew.eu/energy-plans-and-roadmaps-sustainable-future
#EUSEW18, #CEESEN, #EnergyPlanningForFuture
Wednesday, 06th of June 2018, 14:00−15:30
European Commission, RÉSIDENCE PALACE (in room Polak), Brussels, Belgium
Agenda
14:00–14:05 Opening and introduction
Vincent Berrutto, Head of the Energy Unit (European Commission's Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises)
14:05–14:20 Forerunners in Energy Roadmapping– PANEL 2050 project
Andreas Karner (ConPlusUltra)
14:20–14:30 Co-designing the roadmap for a Smart City – R4E project
Bernadette Bergsma (City of Eindhoven - EU Brussels Office)
14:30–14:45 Integrated Regional Energy Planning through Public, Private, People Partnerships – INTENSSS-PA project
Ioanna Giannouli (Business and Project Management S.A), Ángel María Marinero (Regional Government of Castilla-y-León), Vasileios Bellis (Development Agency of Karditsa)
14:45–14:55 COYA BOOK: a tool for adventurous co-creation − ENLARGE project
Cristina Vasilescu (Istituto per la Ricerca Sociale)
14:55–15:05 Best practices to overcome needs in Energy Planning and Implementation – PUBLENEF project
Vlasis Oikonomou (JIN Climate and Sustainability)
15:05–15:15 How to learn about Financing Roadmaps for Smarter Cities and EU Regions − PROSPECT project
Mia Dragovic (IEECP)
15:15 Q&A Assembly – collected questions from the audience addressed to the speakers
15:30 Closing
There is no age limit for energy efficiency
Within the framework of the project “PANEL 2050” in the primary school Cēsu Pastariņu sākumskola in Cēsis municipality, in Latvia, teachers with their students since spring 2018 have been collecting and analyzing energy consumption data in school premises. Considering the needs of the school, on May 29, students began work to prepare the school's energy plan, describing measures for the heat and electricity to be spent more efficiently.
The school has acquired the status of Eco school, and in January this year teachers and students returned to the renovated school building.
#PANEL2050 #CEESEN #EnergyManagementInVidzeme
Baiba Norberte
Communication manager
Vidzeme Planning Region
E-mail: baiba.norberte@vidzeme.lv
http://www.vidzeme.lv/en/about_vidzeme
General Data Protection Regulation will go into effect in EU
New regulation on data protection will go into effect in the European Union on Friday the 25th of May, : GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). It outlines how companies will be required to protect personal data. You can read more: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/data-protection-eu_en
Scientists from around were in Bulgaria for a summer school under the IMPRESSIONS project
This week from 21 to 25 May, an international summer school with over 40 participants from around the world was held in Sofia under the IMPRESSIONS project.
During the one-week training, in which Georgi Stefanov from WWF Bulgaria also took participation, PhD students and scientists from leading world universities were trained by their leading European colleagues in the process of developing long-term visions and roadmaps, as well as models for different climate scenarios by 2100. Participants had to take into account all possible models for this period, as well as socio-economic, energy, environmental, and other aspects.
The main purpose of the summer school was to combine theory with practical working methods for long-term planning, and to bring together the efforts of adherents in this important area, namely, developing visions and roadmaps to tackle climate change. Part of the participants' tasks were related to practical data and models for Bulgaria.
During the first day of the training, Georgi Stefanov made a presentation on climate change in Bulgaria and introduced the participants to the CEESEN network. He also outlined the objectives of Panel 2050, which has similar activities, namely long-term planning by 2050, but is much more practical than scientific and theoretical. The results of the two projects may present to the target groups different perspectives when considering all possible problems and solutions.
Vote for EU Sustainable Energy Awards 2018
Voting for the EUSEW Citizens Award is open. You can submit your vote in the EUSEW system https://www.eusew.eu/awards-public-vote . Among the others is one CEESEN forerunners from Czech Republic: Czech Sustainable Houses Competition https://www.eusew.eu/awards/czech-sustainable-houses. You may remember their inspiring presentation from CEE Energy Transition Conference 2017 (see their presentation Engagement Model Success Story by Pavel Podruh from our Conference 2017 section).
Weekly CEE Energy Update
Energy Consumption per Capita in the CEE regions
The larger regions Mazovian Voivodeship (PL) and Bucuresti–Ilfov (RO) show a lower final energy consumption per capita than the most other regions. This fact is not surprising as the energy consumed by general infrastructure and economic activities are communally shared by a larger size of population.
On the other hand, this trend cannot be observed comparing the other size groups. A possible explanation is that these regions are quite different in economic activity, which proves to be a larger influencing factor than population.
Most of the regions are in the area of the EU-28 average (25,000 kWh/cap).
The full report on Energy Efficiency Situation of Central and Eastern European Regions can be downloaded HERE.
Bulgaria - Annual meeting of environmental experts from the municipalities. WWF Bulgaria presented the energy planning opportunities under PANEL 2050 project and organized a thematic training
On May 16, the 25th Annual Meeting of the Bulgarian Association of Municipal Environmental Experts (BAMEE) took place in Nessebar city. During the meeting WWF Bulgaria presented to 150 participants from the municipalities the connection for long-term energy planning and the possibilities under PANEL 2050 as well as the transition to a low-carbon economy as one of the most important approaches in tackling air pollution in the Bulgarian municipalities with a direct bearing on climate change.
During the meeting a one day training was held on May 17. Lead by Georgi Stefanov from WWF the training session involved more than 20 participants from the municipalities, who passed through several basic rules, principles and purposeful steps towards long-term (until 2050) sustainable energy development and planning for municipalities as an essential part of the transition to a low-carbon economy.
In the first part, the training covered the involvement and motivation of stakeholders, as well as communication and working with local people. The second part of the training covered the preparation of energy profiles, visions, roadmaps and action plans suitable for municipalities. In the final part of the training, students went through the fundraising and project writing elements. Successful examples and practices for the preparation of project documentation for funding under various options were also identified.
Participants showed increased interest and wanted to participate in subsequent on-line meetings on the same topics, including their colleagues from the municipalities, once the translation of the Sustainable Energy Guide for CEE has been completed.
The annual conference of affordable housing in Europe is held in Estonia
The annual agenda-setting event around affordable housing in Europe is held in Estonia, Tallinn this year. The title of conference is "Livability & Affordability in the Digitized City" and it will take place on June 7th at the Estonian Film Museum.
During the event, the Housing Europe (European Federation of Public, Cooperative and Social Housing) and EKYL (Estonian Union of Co-operative Housing Associations) take a digital look in the future of our cities.
In a country that serves as a role model for e-governance, the annual agenda-setting event around affordable housing in Europe will bring together more than 150 representatives of housing associations across Europe, policymakers and the civil society in an exchange that generates evidence-based policy suggestions.
The effects of the digital age become more and more visible in the cities we live in and will play a shaping role in their future. The question of data, smart city ideas or evolving collaborative governance models are just some aspects of this bigger trend unfolding. Within this context, housing is where everything starts...
Join a number of experts from a wide range of sectors - academics, architects, civil engineers, housing providers, policymakers, tech innovators, civil society and international institutions' representatives for a full day of exchange and inspiration!
The event marks the 30-year anniversary of Housing Europe and the 100-year anniversary of Estonian Republic.
City-like Quality in Rural Silence - the Purpose of Ilgiai Community
Making life in the village attractive and comfortable is not only a governmental aspiration. It is also the aim of an association of a local community of Ilgiai (“Ilgių bendruomenė”), which was established in 2013 and situated in Eastern Lithuania (Rimšė subdistrict, Ignalina district) near the intersection of three countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus). The local community located around Lake Ilgis promotes the activity of local residents of Rimšė region, shapes the traditions and customs of communal life, actively participates in organizing education and sport activities for community members, cooperation between communities, social and cultural employment, and leisure time.
The subdistrict of Rimšė is situated just a few kilometres from the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, whose exploitation is being terminated. Historically, this part of Lithuania has become the Lithuanian energy region. Energetic and creative people live in this exceptional region. Over the course of its five active years, the community has implemented more than 15 projects important for local and regional development, in this way creating city-like quality in the silence of a village. The community has set up a modern ground for active recreation and sports, established infrastructure for tourism, as well as community and national publicity measures, and also organizes events and educational programs. The development of green and cost-effective energy in this region has become the vision of Ilgiai community.
The main strategic direction of community’s activity is: the development of energy resources, healthy lifestyles and eco-ideas, while working actively with children, young people and families.
An exclusive object of the small border town is Children's Day Care centre of Rimšė region with an open youth area. Ilgiai community made a decision on the need of a cosy and modern building and took the initiative: the community prepared a project and, after receiving support, has reconstructed a more than 10 years old, abandoned, unused building into a modern and economical sanctuary. In these newly renovated premises the Children's Day Care centre with an open youth area was founded in 2016. Here everyone is welcome, and not only children are happy to visit and participate, but also families, people of all ages are happy to engage in the activities.
The energy-efficient building has become the first public building that has achieved a particularly high A+ energy class. The building envelope (walls, floors, ceilings) of unique technology keeps the heat in the building during the cold season, while during the hot one does not allow the premises to overheat. The building is equipped with a modern air-to-air heat pump, and a recuperative ventilation and conditioning system for the building is also installed. A modern and economical building lighting system also allows to save energy. Ilgiai community feels happy and at ease: they have a modern building with functional spaces (kitchen, sports, leisure, conferences and administrative premises) which can be used continuously and the community does not need to be afraid of building maintenance costs becoming unbearable. For the entire maintenance of the modern 220 m2 centre (heating, ventilation, lighting) Ilgiai community spends only about EUR 1000 per year (around EUR 80 per month), which is less than owners of non-renovated apartment buildings spend on heating in cities.
Community representatives share their experiences: “The climate in Lithuania is more northern and the warm season takes only a short time. However, we like to make disadvantages into advantages. After creating a modern infrastructure we have no more worries: the building is fully autonomous, the systems operate economically and independently, we do not have additional costs for maintenance of the building, heating, etc. We are independent. We are happy to allocate savings to educational activities of children and families. As we feel thankful for every sunny day, now we have a goal of installing a photoelectric power plant on the roof of the building, which was already adjusted to it during the reconstruction. By having a solar power plant we would fully cover the electricity needs for the maintenance of the building, and then we would have almost a passive community house, which already became an energy saving example for households.”
The community is actively cooperating with various organisations, participates in international projects, organises presentations and educational programs. In 2016 Ilgiai community was nominated and awarded as the most youthful Lithuanian community in a competition “Lithuanian Rural Ray 2016” („Lietuvos kaimo spindulys 2016“).
Find your path to sustainable future!
On June 4−8th 2018, the XIII EU Sustainable Energy Week will take place in Brussels (find more at https://eusew.eu/). On 5−7th of June, the EUSEW Policy Conference − the most important European conference dedicated to sustainable energy policy issues – will take place.
Take part in our seminar „Energy Plans and Roadmaps for Sustainable Future” in EUSEW Policy Conference and find your path to sustainable future! You can find the programme here: https://eusew.eu/energy-plans-and-roadmaps-sustainable-future.
The seminar organized in cooperation of Tartu Regional Energy Agency and Business and Project Management S.A will be held at Brussels on 6th of June 14:00−15:30 at Residence Palace. Seminar will be part of CEESEN public activities. Come and find out how to get the future ahead of time!
Come visit us and see that participating in energy policy can be an adventure; see how greatly the Living Lab concept works in real life and get to know about other superb project activities implemented in Europe that can lead us to greater and cleaner future.
The purpose of our seminar is to improve the capacity of sustainable energy and transport sector forerunners to roadmap the energy transition in European communities. The seminar sets on the wider background of the challenges that EU communities are facing on energy planning. Six EU-level projects: PANEL 2050, INTENSSS-PA, PUBLENEF, PROSPECT, ENLARGE and R4A are sharing their updates and suggestions for energy planning, roadmapping and stakeholder engagement. The seminar will introduce the updated methodology for the energy planning and roadmapping in different political and administrative contexts. Strong focus will be on the role of the stakeholders and different multi-level governance approaches in the process (cocreation, collaboration and citizen leadership).
To take part in the seminar, visit the EU Sustainable Energy Week web page, check our seminar agenda and register to the event on following link: https://eusew.eu/energy-plans-and-roadmaps-sustainable-future.
Seminar: Energy Plans and Roadmaps for Sustainable Future in Brussels on June 6th
Take part in our seminar „Energy Plans and Roadmaps for Sustainable Future” in EUSEW Policy Conference and find your path to sustainable future! You can find the programme here: https://eusew.eu/energy-plans-and-roadmaps-sustainable-future.
Seminar is part of CEESEN public activities and is free of charge for all the registered participants. Please register your attendance on EUSEW platform eusew.eu. For more info see: https://ceesen.org/archives/news/find-your-path-to-sustainable-future
Come and find out how to get the future ahead of time!
Today in Western Bulgaria - round table on the role of municipalities in encouraging citizens and communities to produce energy
As part of the global vision for the future of our energy system, Greenpeace Bulgaria, active member of Bulgarian Climate Action Coalition and forerunner under Panel 2050 project, campaigns for the promotion of renewable energy sources as an alternative to polluting fossil fuels.
The event targets municipalities with experience and problems similar to those of the municipality of Pernik. A 2016 report by CE Delft showed that, with the right support, half of all EU citizens could produce their own electricity from renewables by 2050, meeting nearly half of the EU’s electricity demand. CE Delft's forecast for Bulgaria is that 1 out of every 7 Bulgarians could produce the electricity they use and thus satisfy 26% of the amount needed for the country. Municipalities can get involved in this process thanks to their key role as representatives of local elected governments. Energy independence can bring them additional autonomy, job creation, attracting young, well-educated people.
The purpose of the event is to talk about how municipalities can actively participate in the transformation of the energy system and thus improve its transparency and independence. Greenpeace wants to encourage them to power the transition away from dirty energy production to clean, renewable energy for the sake of a better future.
Speakers:
Emily Rochon is a lawyer from ClientEarth who works on renewable energy. She outlined the possibilities for energy independence for citizens and local communities and their enormous role in the transition to renewable energy.
Greenpeace Greece's energy expert Takis Grigoriou told more about the transition to solar energy in Greece and share the practical experience of the Larissa municipality, where the city administration placed solar panels on the roof of a school to reduce its electricity costs.
The panel “Supporting the Sustainable Energy Development of Bulgarian Municipalities” started with a presentation about the Sofia Energy Agency, the Covenant of Mayors and the Municipal Energy Management Project. The presentation continued with energy management in schools and kindergartens and real results and energy savings by Nikolay Mladenov from Eurosys. Nadezhda Nikolova concluded with a discussion about financial mechanisms and legislation. She talked about an energy-passive kindergarten in Gabrovo and a pilot project called "Staccato".
Major achievements of a small district in restructuring the energy sector
Ignalina district is a small area, with a population of only about 17 thousand, in the north-eastern outskirts of Lithuania, Utena county, where traditionally (until 1997) the old type of “boiler rooms” (based on solid fuel) dominated and centrally provided heat and hot water to Ignalina and bigger towns of the district.
Substantial changes in the heat sector began during 1997-2003, when a consistent process of modernization of the heat economy was carried out: 30 heat substations modernised, gradually changing the type of fuel into biofuel (investment of EUR 1.9 million). Biofuels accounted for 99 % of the fuel used in 2004. Important steps were made in 2007-2008: a smoke condensing economiser was installed in the boiler house of Ignalina, hot water supply was decentralized by installing 109 new autonomous heat substations. In 2009-2011 worn-out heat supply routes were replaced, thus reducing heat loss in pipelines by about 60 %.
During 2011-2013 a 117 m2 solar collector system was installed in a boiler house of one of the bigger towns (Dūkštas) with the help of EU funds. The heat from the sun produces over 80 MWh per year, which accounts for 5.8 % of annual heat production in this boiler house.
Since then the municipality of Ignalina district is presented throughout Lithuania as an example of how to handle the heat economy. Many municipalities are beginning to get interested in this sector and are trying to replicate an especially successful example of modernization.
The municipality of Ignalina district was the first in Lithuania to renovate apartment buildings in accordance with the new renovation model and began to implement the programme of energy efficiency improvement "Enervision of Ignalina". This model stirred renovation processes across the country and has become an example for other municipalities. Nowadays Ignalina is undergoing the final works in the modernization of apartment buildings and after completing the programme the city has a unique opportunity to undertake new viable projects.
In the territory of the municipality all the most important public buildings were renovated back in 2015. Schools, kindergartens, culture and medical institutions, administrative and community buildings were fixed in a modern fashion and not only in the city, but also in the neighbourhoods of the district. A total of 40 buildings were renovated and about 10 million euros were used. Not only did it change the aesthetic image of the buildings, but it also improved the working conditions and made it possible to achieve significant heat savings. Renovated buildings use about half as much energy, saved energy costs cover the investment, and there is a notable improvement in the quality of life. In 2017 additional 14.2 million euros were invested in this programme.
The programme "Enervision of Ignalina 2" is currently being implemented in the renovation of apartment buildings. By investing 6.5 million euros, another 30 apartment buildings will be renewed.
The renovation of apartment buildings also reached smaller towns and villages of the district. Today (in the beginning of 2018), 99 apartment buildings (59%) are renovated, including 85 houses in Ignalina (81%). Almost all apartment buildings (102 out of 105) will be renovated in Ignalina, reaching 97.7 percent indicator. In total, 129 (76%) residential apartment buildings will be renovated in Ignalina district. For this purpose, 24.67 million euros from various sources will be invested.
The average 2016/2017 price of centralized heating during the heating season per kilowatt-hour (with 9 % VAT) was 5.71 ct/kWh in Lithuania and 6.39 ct/kWh in Ignalina. During the heating season in Ignalina city, the average heat consumption per one square meter is 13.20 kWh/m² per month. The average cost of heating for one m² is 0.84 euros per month. In the renovated buildings of Ignalina an average of 660 kWh (13.2 kWh/m² per month) is used monthly for heating a 50 m² apartment. The cost for heating an apartment: 42.17 euros per month. While in non-renovated buildings in Ignalina city an average of 1072 kWh (21.44 kWh/m² per month) is used monthly for heating a 50 m² apartment. And the cost for heating is 68.5 euros per month.
This year, the heating season in Ignalina was announced on October 5, but a significant part of houses turned on the heating later, because the temperature of about 20 ºC remained in the apartments. Inhabitants of the city do not decrease in numbers, as renovated housing is gladly bought by people from other cities. Ignalina seeks to become the first city to start a project for low-temperature heat supply. After the renovations, heat networking company of Ignalina suffers considerable losses; its income decreased 25 percent. As the heating demand for the city decreases by 50 % it is possible to provide hot water of lower parameters to the heat substations (reduced fuel consumption, lower heat losses in the tracks).
In order to maintain its leadership position, Ignalina must rapidly move forward, assess future trends, prepare for energy decentralization and expand cooperation with business and science. As a Member of the European Parliament Bronis Ropė has informed, the European Parliament is currently discussing an important set of legal documents: the Clean Energy package. The main objective of the package is to ensure that the European economy redesigns the production and use of clean energy and, at the same time, remains competitive. The package consists of three thematic parts: energy efficiency, a global European leadership in the development and implementation of clean energy, and regulation of consumer relations. It is also emphasized that energy policy is becoming more and more democratic.
The idea of the project was discussed with German experts during an international event in Ignalina on November 24, 2017. German experts, in principle, endorsed the implementation of the idea. It is planned that, in cooperation with the German experts, the project for the development of heat supply at low temperatures in Ignalina should start in the near future. In the first stage it is planned to prepare a feasibility study, and in the second stage, after assessing the possibilities, to start implementation works.
Ignalina District Municipality together with PLLC Ignalina Heat Networks (UAB Ignalinos Šilumos tinklai) is preparing to submit a project "Low-temperature heat supply in Ignalina" for the Environmental Innovation Programme for Projects Abroad of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety. The essence of the new project: to reduce heat losses and after evaluating the data and needs of all houses to adjust the heat transfer system, adapting it to the existing conditions. Within the implementation of project activities, it is planned to replace existing boilers in the boiler house of Ignalina with economically operating boilers of lower capacity, and to make technical decisions for the provision of heat supply with low-temperature technological processes. The investment demand is about 700 thousand euros.
Prepared by Inga Šidlauskienė, the director of a public body "Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Regional Development Agency", according to the information of the Ignalina District Municipality Administration.
Most polluted cities in EU are in Poland and Bulgaria
Poland and Bulgaria are 'competing' for having the most polluted cities in EU, according to data of PM2,5 pollution in WHO database, compiled by Greenpeace. 16 of 20 most air polluted cities are located in Poland. 83% of cities in Bulgaria and 72% of cities in Poland are failing to follow the EU’s 2020 air quality target.
Source: Greenpeace.
multEE Final Conference on multi-level Governance
http://multee.eu/content/multee-final-conference-multi-level-governance
On 29 June 2017 the multEE consortium in cooperation with the Energy Community Secretariat held its final conference at Sofitel in Vienna. The multEE project - Facilitating multi-level governance for Energy Efficiency, aimed to improve the consistency and quality of energy efficiency policy planning and implementation. Led by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through its Open Regional Fund for South-East Europe-Energy Efficiency, multEE brought together ten partners from nine European countries and integrated different leading institutions working at the interface of energy efficiency research, policy design and implementation. The conference was organized back-to-back with the triannual meeting of their Energy Efficiency Coordination Group of the Energy Community, which brings together the EU and its neighbours to contribute to an integrated pan-European energy market.
The multEE project pursued two streams of action: 1) develop and implement innovative monitoring and verification (M&V) schemes, and 2) improve coordination of the design and implementation of energy policies both horizontally among national government bodies and vertically between different administrative levels.
Both EU Members States and Energy Community countries require further work on these two pillars to successfully implement the proposed governance framework of the Energy Union. The multEE project makes an important conceptual and practical contribution to this effort.
Fitting well into the actual political debate, the event attracted practitioners from all nine multEE partner countries, as well as representatives from all nine Signatories to the Energy Community Treaty.
Dirk Buschle, the deputy director of the Energy Community Secretariat, opened the conference with a welcome address in which he explained that the Energy Community has the ambition to follow the EU on its path to fight climate change and that Energy Community is committed to achieve the transition towards clean energy at the same speed as the rest of Europe. Buschle emphasized that effective horizontal and vertical governance are key to reaching this goal.
Leonardo Zannier, policy officer in the Energy Policy Coordination Unit of DG Energy at the European Commission, gave an overview of the Commission’s proposal on the governance of the Energy Union. A special focus of the presentation were the integrated energy and climate plans, a key element of the governance proposal, which are envisaged to streamline climate and energy reporting requirements. The audience was especially interested in reporting methodologies and related data requirements. Also, the proposed time schedule for the submission of the first set of reports by the end of 2018 was being discussed.
Subsequently, Benjamin Struss from GIZ and the coordinator of multEE, connected the dots from the new governance framework of the Energy Union to the multEE project and explained that multi-level governance for energy efficiency is not only a buzzword, but an essential contribution to improving consistency and quality of energy efficiency policy planning and implementation.
Furthermore, Mr Struss gave an introduction into the project’s main outputs, along the two pillars of M&V schemes and coordination mechanisms and presented how they can actually contribute towards the full implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Winter Package “Clean Energy for all Europeans”.
Relating to a concrete multEE output, Armin Teskeredzic, GIZ consultant, elaborated on the Monitoring and Verification platform (MVP), an application that assists in measuring progress towards energy efficiency targets on all administrative levels, based on the collection of bottom-up data. The platform is currently being implemented in Croatia, the FYR of Macedonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia and presents a good example of a smart and innovative solution to address the issues of efficiency, coherence and transparency of monitoring and reporting of energy efficiency measures.
Apart from these central inputs from speakers, the conference used a very interactive format to provide a forum for exchange and joint learning, by using participatory table discussions. Designated table moderators gave short introductions of pre-determined topics and facilitated the discussions between participants. The sessions were structured according to the two main streams of action in multEE and included a wide variety of topics. Participants chose the discussion topics most relevant for them and discussed their pressing issues with peers from the EU and the Energy Community.
The table discussions produced several key messages for each topic, which were collected and presented by the table moderators and put up for display.
Subsequently, these key messages fed into a general discussion with the audience, as well as a panel discussion. The panel was held between Dean Smolar from Center for Monitoring Business Activities in the Energy Sector and Investments in Croatia, Violeta Kogalniceanu from the Energy Community Secretariat, Tadas Norvydas from Energy Agency Lithuania and Benjamin Struss.
One main conclusion resulting from the panel discussion was that the MVP tool offers Member States the opportunity to shape their energy efficiency policies through standardized, coherent and efficient M&V. The question is how to embed it in a process and legal system and to make sure that there are capacities to use it. Regarding this issue, the work of multEE on coordination mechanisms is only the start for necessary future efforts.
Another aspect that came out of the discussion was that countries need “champions”, e.g. in the form of innovative and ambitious municipalities or government agencies, to achieve progress. Moreover, not only the costs but also the economic advantages of energy efficiency measures should be communicated more intensely.
The discussants agreed that the political momentum for improved multi-level governance for energy efficiency is currently positive with the introduction of the Winter Package at EU level. However, they also agreed that there is still a lot of work ahead of us.
The Project - Multi-level governance for Energy Efficiency (multEE)
The Project
Facilitating Multi-level governance for Energy Efficiency (multEE) is a Horizon 2020 project that aims to improve the consistency and quality of energy efficiency policy planning and implementation through innovative monitoring and verification schemes as well as through improved coordination between different administrative levels.
Challenges
By using energy more efficiently, Europeans can lower their energy bills, reduce their reliance on external suppliers of oil and gas and help protect the environment. However, there are numerous challenges associated with energy efficiency, which is one of the pillars of EU energy and climate policy. Specific challenges include:
Governance failures and non-technical barriers to energy efficiency
Energy statistics are inadequate for monitoring purposes, and current M&V schemes are in part poorly designed and not sufficiently adapted to concrete needs. Innovative M&V schemes and improved vertical integration help to unfold the potential of technical innovation and implemented projects.
The need to empower public authorities in a multi-level governance setting
Public authorities on all levels play a key role in implementing effective energy efficiency measures. However, energy efficiency plans on the municipal and national level are often not sufficiently harmonised and pursue divergent goals. multEE develops adapted M&V tools and coordination concepts and provides targeted capacity-building measures, enabling public officials to make the most out of these tools.
The multi-level governance of energy efficiency needs to be improved
The vertical integration of energy planning on different governmental levels remains an issue in many European countries. Better coordination mechanisms can help energy policy planners avoid overlaps between measures and contradicting targets, while increased information exchange between levels can facilitate the monitoring of measures taken on the regional and local level.
A lack of reliable data on energy efficiency measures and their results
Inadequate monitoring systems, based on energy statistics instead of bottom-up data, do not provide an overview of all energy efficiency measures implemented at different administrative levels. The innovative M&V system developed through multEE empowers communities and regional actors to enter data on their energy efficiency measures themselves, streamlining the process and freeing up capacities for other activities. Capacity-building for M&V needs will be provided by the project.
Objectives
The overall objective of multEE is to improve the consistency and quality of energy efficiency policy planning and implementation through innovative monitoring and verification schemes as well as through improved coordination between different administrative levels.
In order to reach this goal, two sub-goals will have to be achieved:
Introducing innovative monitoring and verification (M&V) schemes. These schemes are based on bottom-up data to ensure that the impact of energy efficiency measures is correctly evaluated and useable for future energy efficiency planning.
Improving vertical coordination between administrative levels. The objective here is to exploit the full potential of the integrated M&V schemes developed in multEE and improve the overall quality of energy efficiency planning
A step-by-step approach is adopted to reach both goals. First of all, European best practices will be mapped and analysed. Then, a best practice case model will be developed and adapted to the specific needs of each partner country. At the same time, the necessary capacities will be built, considering the transferability of results to all interested countries.
Measures
An innovative M&V scheme is currently being implemented and tested in two of the project’s partner countries (Croatia and Macedonia). During the implementation, CO2 emissions, energy consumption and costs will all be monitored simultaneously across administrative levels. The scheme allows for the integrated monitoring of national energy efficiency action plans (NEEAP) and all types of local and regional plans simultaneously.
Afterwards, multEE proposes to adapt and calibrate such a scheme for implementation in partner countries, taking into consideration existing solutions and providing capacity building within the countries the countries.
Even though the measures proposed by multEE specifically apply to energy efficiency planning, they will also benefit other policy areas. It is foreseen that innovative data collection and evaluation tools as well as improved coordination mechanisms, will make a substantial contribution to all domains of sustainable energy and climate policy planning.
New Report on Energy Efficiency Situation of Central and Eastern European Regions
In the course of the PANEL2050 project 10 Central and Eastern European regions each developed a Regional Energy Profile, giving an overview of regional energy statistics as well as the status quo of regional energy policies and planning in the region.
The data gathered in these 10 individual Regional Energy Profiles was summarized in the present Report Energy Efficiency Situation of Central and Eastern European Regions.
The report provides a summary of key energy figures for 10 CEE regions. The presented regions can be categorized according their population size and final energy consumption.
Moreover, the individual Energy Profiles included a SWOT-analysis for the development of the region towards a low-carbon economy by 2050 with special focus on the energy sector.
These analyses were as summarized in the present report giving an overview of the common opportunities in the energy sector of CEE as well as typical challenges and threats encountered by these regions. To provide CEESEN members with more detailed information the network’s team will publish a weekly CEE Energy update based on the report.
This first assessment of the CEE regions constitutes the groundwork for the preparation of Regional Energy Roadmaps and related Action Plans towards low-carbon economies by 2050.
The report can be downloaded here.
CEESEN Stepped into the Process of Making Local Roadmaps and Action Plans
As the CEESEN project is heading for its last year of H2020 funding, partners are now entering the process of regional strategies for energy transition. Based on previous in-depth analyses and in cooperation with local stakeholders the consortium will now introduce its regional visions as the first phase to roadmapping.
„Regional visions will be related to the future Action Plans which will be defined within each Roadmap. We are aware that this process is very specific and different to every region, however we have developed a joint methodology with basic recommendations to guide all partners“, said Jan Jareš, representative of Czech partner AgEnDa.
The Roadmap itself will be divided into particular strategical challenges which have potential to drive the region towards the set vision. Each challenge will be defined, including important milestones within the current and future development stages. It will include a description of a business-as-usual scenario compared to the visionary scenario. Furthermore, each challenge will be broken down into priority topics on which concrete measures will be developed in form of Action Plans.
„We see the future Action Plans as the main implementation tool that can address particular challenges and conditions on the regional level,“ added Jan Jareš.
EU Parliament approved updates to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
New rules will make buildings smarter and more energy efficient, saving money and creating jobs in the renovation and construction sector.
The European Parliament gave today its final approval on the revised Energy Performance of Buildings directive. Today's vote signals the closure of the first of 8 legislative proposals part of the Clean Energy for All Europeans package brought forward by the European Commission on 30 November 2016. This package is a key element of one of the Juncker Commission's priorities, “a resilient Energy Union and a forward-looking climate change policy".
The changes agreed today tap into the huge potential for efficiency gains in the building sector, the largest single energy consumer in Europe. They include measures that will accelerate the rate of building renovation towards more energy efficient systems and strengthen the energy performance of new buildings, making them smarter.
Vice-President responsible for the Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič said: "By renovating and making our buildings in Europe smarter, we are attaining several simultaneous objectives: lower energy bills, better health, protection of the environment and reduction of our emissions in the EU, given that over a third of these are produced by buildings. And as technology has blurred the distinction between sectors, we are also establishing a link between buildings and e-mobility infrastructure, and helping stabilize the electricity grid. Another building block of the Energy Union has been laid today, let us continue ahead."
Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete added: "This is the first final agreement on a proposal of the Clean Energy for All Europeans Package, a signal that we are on the right track and we will deliver on our pledge made at the beginning of the mandate. Our ambitious commitment to clean energy in Europe and the Paris Agreement will be made a reality by laws like the one voted today: the revised buildings directive will help create local jobs, save consumers money and improve Europeans' quality of life. It will also help combat energy poverty by reducing the energy bills of older buildings which will be renovated. I now call on the European Parliament and the Council to show leadership and complete the rest of the proposals of the Clean Energy for All Europeans Package."
Main achievements:
- Creates a clear path towards a low and zero-emission building stock in the EU by 2050 underpinned by national roadmaps to decarbonise buildings.
- Encourages the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and smart technologies to ensure buildings operate efficiently for example by introducing automation and control systems.
- Supports the rollout of the infrastructure for e-mobility in all buildings (although to a lesser extent than in the Commission's proposal).
- Introduces a "smart readiness indicator" which will measure the buildings' capacity to use new technologies and electronic systems to adapt to the needs of the consumer, optimise its operation and interact with the grid.
- Integrates and substantially strengthens long term building renovation strategies.
- Mobilises public and private financing and investment.
- Helps combatting energy poverty and reducing the household energy bill by renovating older buildings.
Next steps
Following this approval by the European Parliament of the revised directive on Energy Performance of Buildings, the Council of Ministers will now have to finalise its formal agreement in an upcoming Council meeting in the coming weeks. This endorsement will be followed shortly by the publication of the text in the Official Journal of the Union, which will enter into force 20 days after publication. Member States will then have to transpose the new elements of the Directive into national law within 20 months.
Background
The energy performance of buildings directive (EPBD) is part and parcel of the implementation of the Juncker Commission priorities to build "a resilient Energy Union with a forward-looking climate change policy". The Commission wants the EU to lead the clean energy transition. For this reason the EU has committed to cut CO2 emissions by at least 40% by 2030 while modernising the EU's economy and delivering on jobs and growth for all European citizens. In doing so, the Commission is guided by three main goals: putting energy efficiency first, achieving global leadership in renewable energies and providing a fair deal for consumers.
The building sector in the EU is the largest single energy consumer in Europe, absorbing 40% of final energy, and about 75% of buildings are energy inefficient. Likewise, and depending on the Member State, only 0.4-1.2% of the stock is renovated each year. This opens a vast potential for energy efficiency gains in Europe as well as economic opportunities: the construction industry generates about 9% of European GDP and accounts for 18 million direct jobs. Construction activities that include renovation work and energy retrofits add almost twice as much value as the construction of new buildings, and SMEs contribute more than 70% of the value added in the EU building sector.
Significant upfront investment is required for the refurbishment of buildings. The EPBD is a substantial element of the European Commission's work to make buildings more efficient and boost renovation. This work is accompanied by enabling tools for example the revised Eurostat guidance for energy performance contracts which will help the building sector increase the necessary investments, see IP/17/3268. It works in synergy with the Smart Finance for Smart Buildings Initiative. Furthermore, with the extended European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI 2.0), the Commission focuses more on sustainable investments in all sectors to contribute to meeting the EU's energy and climate targets and to help to deliver on the transition to a resource efficient, circular and low-carbon economy. At least 40% of EFSI projects under the infrastructure and innovation window should contribute to the Commission's commitments on climate action and energy transition in line with the Paris Agreement objectives, see MEMO/17/3224.
Source: European Commission press release.
Smart cities and sustainable energy development were the focus of a two-day conference in North Bulgaria
On 26th and 27th of April, the North Bulgarian city Gabrovo hosted a specialized conference organized by the Municipal Energy Efficiency Network EcoEnergy.
The conference was attended by representatives of various institutions, including the Ministry of Regional Development and the Ministry of Energy, the National Trust Ecofund, the European Energy Cities Network, the Austrian Energy Agency, representatives of universities and research centers, energy specialists, business representatives, professional associations and industrial chambers, NGOs and dozens of interested guests from the municipalities in Bulgaria.
The event, which is under the official calendar of the Bulgarian EU Presidency, focuses on the development of intelligent cities and communities - Energy efficiency as a tool for accelerated development of Bulgarian municipalities. The main objectives set by the participants of the two-day meeting are: - To discuss the European instruments in support of integrated urban development and to show the Bulgarian experience in their usage.- Generate new ideas for creating partnerships and developing project proposals on different themes and sub-themes of the EU Horizon 2020 program.- To examine the possibilities and to encourage the Bulgarian municipalities to develop projects suitable for the financing of the replacement of the street lighting under Priority "Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Energy Security" of the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area, etc.
The second day of the conference started with a presentation by Georgi Stefanov from WWF Bulgaria, who spoke about the European goals and policies of the “Clean Energy for All Europeans” Package and the Panel 2050 project, which is developing the CEESEN Network for Sustainable Energy in Central and Eastern Europe.
"The results and the various project manuals and guiding materials, both in Bulgaria and in Eastern Europe, enable local and regional authorities, together with the most active target groups, to start preparing their long-term visions and action plans for 2050, as of now. The aim is to turn these vision and plans into the main strategic documents accompanying long-term energy planning and the transition to a low-carbon economy in the hands of local authorities and all stakeholders in this process, which meets both European and global targets for low-carbon development, "said the representative of WWF's Bulgarian office during his presentation.
Seven Member States call for more EU climate ambition
Yesterday, ministers from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Portugal and Luxembourg working on climate change called for a “strategy to consider raised levels of ambition of the EU and to present pathways, towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Paris agreement”.
Commenting on the ministers’ statement, Imke Lübbeke, Head of Climate and Energy at WWF European Policy Office, said:
“EU countries are waking up to what the Paris Agreement means. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Portugal and Luxembourg have realised that the EU’s climate targets are nowhere near what’s required. Others need to stop dragging their heels and get on board. The EU must aim for net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. In this way it will act on a global emergency, gain credibility on climate, and reap the economic and social opportunities offered by our energy-efficiency and renewables-based future. ”
“Such action can bring another informal political coalition from Eastern European countries as Poland and Bulgaria for example are very active and doesn’t support ambitious climate and energy targets. It looks like Eastern countries are not seeing the potential of modern, sustainable economy development for our future when they try to block more ambitious European climate and energy goals. This is why a bottom up approach is very much needed and under the CEESEN platform we are trying to achieve exactly that”, added Georgi Stefanov, Climate Change and Green Economy Programme Manager at WWF Bulgaria.
Shedding light on energy in the EU - Eurostat publication
The 2018 edition of Shedding light on energy in the EU – A guided tour of energy statistics was released by Eurostat on the 13th of April. The digital publication helps citizens to find answer on most frequently asked energy related questions. This new type of publication provided information user friendly, through short text, dynamic infographics, maps, videos, graphs, photos etc.
You can reach the publication here.