BEST PRACTICE CASE STUDY
Prepared within the project Minus 3%
March 2010
The sole responsibility for the content of this document lies with the authors. It does not
necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Communities. The European Commission is not
responsible for any use of the information contained therein.
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1. Introduction
The aim of this case study is to show the most promising energy efficiency measures
identified within the project Minus 3% among participating cities.
The following case studies are examples of possible measures bringing large energy saving
measures coupled with environmental benefits and economy analyses.
2. Case studies
2.1
Slovenia – City of Maribor
Energy management in public building and educational campaign in the city of
Maribor
2.1.1 Project idea
To achieve EU goals regarding energy savings and reduction of GHG emissions at the local
lavel, Energy agency of Podravje launch the project oriented in the field of reducing energy
consumption in public buildings and to raise awareness of the importance of energy saving
among the pupils in the city of Maribor.
First part of the project is based on
softwere
tool
Central
Energy
Management
System
(CEMS)
developed by a Slovenian private
company Adesco and it works on the
general data of the buildings, climate
characteristic, energy using and
consumption. It can take into acount
saving measures, price of energy,
possible savings and CO2 emission. It
gives the possibilities to follow the
progres of savings determined in savin
performance
contracting
financing
system.
Picture: Front page of the software of CEMS
Each building has its own system code for data input and for the overview of some individual
results. In the first phase, in September 2008, we installed the CEMS in 28 primary schools
and 32 kindergartens in the city of Maribor and we were the first one in Slovenia. Installation
was accompanied with information and educational campain for people in different municipal
sectors, for school headmasters and for financial officers at schools about importance of
energy matters in public buildings regarding the energy use, energy efficiency, costs, living
conditions, GHG reduction and other environmental benefits. Special education about
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electronic energy bookkeeping and CEMS use was also organized for them. Since January
2009 every school and kindergarten in the city is constantly (every month) manually inputting
the energy consumption data into the system. EnergaP was collecting and inputting the
energy data of the schools and kindergartens from the year 2007 and 2008 into CEMS
system. EnergaP as a central point is able to see all the objects data and is able to provide
the analysis, results and also benchmarking results.
We can calculate and draw the
specific indicators for each school
regarding its area, number of pupils,
weather conditions, CO2 emissions,
etc. We also provide the information
on the measuremets for saving –
noninvestment and investment ones.
The municipality department, that is
responsible for financing the schools
and kindergartens can, with the help
of CEMS, produce the reports of
energy cost and future energy needs
and use it in budgetary planning.
Picture: Use of kWh of electricity and costs of it in two
years period of time in selected building
Furthermore, the municipality can use the data for decision on which school is the most
appropriate for retrofitting. With the use of CEMS common public procurement for heating oil
for all schools and kindergartens in Maribor for year 2010 and 2011 was already carried out
because the data were already collected. In 2010 Energap will set the limits for maximum
energy use per building and within the system every three months the maximum energy use
will be set a bit lower to push the user to implement the saving measurements that will be
proposed to them. At the same time we are searching for finances (credits, PPP agreements,
structural funds) and prepare the documentations to refurbish the buildings The system is
upgraded with the possibilities of calculating the economic analysis of different investments
regarding energy saving potentials as a base for financial agreements.
Second part of the project is oriented
in the educational field. Since 2007
we are organizing so cold ˝Energy
days˝ for schools with different
energy related workshops where we
also include the gathered data from
the CEMS.
Picture : Learning about energy bookkeeping
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Picture 10: Learning about thermal protection using thermographic camera.
2.1.2 Description of the situation before realisation of EE and/or RES measures
After EnergaP´s establishment in June 2006 agency started with active information and
education campaign, data collection and energy strategy preparation. As a result of
campaign City Council adopted Local energy concept in January 2009. One of the main
obligatory goal within the concept is to save at least 3% of energy in public sector with
special attention to schools where the real energy saving measurement are connected with
school pedagogical activities to achieve sustainable educational aims. To reach above –
mentioned goals one of the first proposed activities was energy renovations of public
buildings because approx. 75% of them are not in good energy saving conditions. Since
schools and kindergartens are fully financed from public budget and all the investment and
savings are directly linked to that we use this object as a starting point of the project.
EnergaP introduced the Central Energy Management System in September 2008. Since
2007 we have organized so cold ˝Energy days˝ for primary schools with different
environmental and energy related workshops for pupils.
2.1.3 Data on proposed EE/RES measures:
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The aim of the project is to save at least 3% of energy in public sector and to educate young
population, to become more responsible energy consumers. With the use of Central Energy
Management System (CEMS) as one of the strategic tool for achieving the target we are able
to identify cost anomalies, mistakes and weak points in the buildings. By comparing different
buildings we can determine which building is the most appropriate for retrofitting, where the
employee´s behaviour is irrational, etc. In the future, using the CEMS, we will be able to
calculate the economic analysis of different investments regarding energy saving potential.
With energy bookkeeping as a part of the CEMS we would like to achieve higher awareness
level of the importance of reducing energy consumption among users of the buildings.
Furthermore, one of the project objective is also to reduce the CO2 emissions.
In the first phase, in September 2008, we installed the CEMS in 28 primary schools and 32
kindergartens in the city of Maribor and we were the first one in Slovenia. In December 2009
the CEMS were installed in 10 other public buildings in Maribor (health care, sport’s halls,
cultural homes). In january 2010 we have started to implement the system also in two
neighbouring municipalities (20 buildings) and is well accepted and is also working in the
same central base.
2.1.4 Energy and economy data of the investment
With the help of Central Energy Management System (CEMS) municipality already reduce
the energy cost 160.000 EUR. It means that pay back period is less than two years. In first
year operation the drop in energy use were around 3% (805109 kWh). This drop is only due
to organizational measurements.
The direct beneficiary of our project is the Municipality of Maribor, all together 70 public
buildings out of 120 and more than 25.000 people. We have had more than 100 meetings
with different stakeholders- authorities, politicans, headmasters, users, childrens,..The City
Council is yerly informed about the results and with real data they can make more realistic
decisions with the biggest saving potentials.
2.1.5 Environmental benefit:
Due to the energy saving potential within using the CEMS, project will contribute to the
reduction of CO2 emissions. With the introduction of CEMS and energy bookkeeping we can
assume that the user's awareness of the importance of reducing energy consumption will be
higher. Furthermore, due to the results of educational campaign in schools, teachers and
pupils (as well as their parents) will become more responsible energy consumers. Until now
EnergaP organized more then 40 workshops for pupils between 6 and 15 years old.
In first year operation the reduction of CO2 emission was around 3% (1365 t CO2). This drop
is only due to organizational measurements.
2.1.6 Other benefits
Till the end of 2010 all public buildings that are financed directly or indirectly from municipal
budget will be in the CEMS system The municipality is responsible for financing the schools,
kindergartens and also some of the other public buildings which includes the payment of
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electricity and heating bills, energy recovery and energy investments costs. CEMS helps to
have a good overview on the energy matters regarding the money, energy saving potentials
and planning the investments. By comparing different buildings we can determine which
building is the most appropriate for retrofitting, where the employee’s behavior is irrational,
etc.
CEMS offers schools and also other users of publing buildings with CEMS an overview of
their individual results, it provides a better understanding of energy consumption, gives them
information on how to improve their energy use and has an affect on raising awareness
about the importance of energy issues.
2.1.7 Financing of the investment
Total project budget is 250.000 EUR in 3 years for renting the software tool and 2 people
working – one on the management system and one on educational activities. 75% of the
financial sources are covered by Municipality of Maribor and 25% by European Commission.
Energy Agency of Podravje covers management of the system and provides education and
assistance for the users. It is responsible for preparation of educational materials and
organization of workshops in schools. CEMS was developed by Slovenian private company
Adesco and implemented system in Maribor is the pilot one and show case for Slovenia.
Company acts as CEMS promoter and offers technical support. It is also responsible for
improving and upgrading the system concerning feedback of users and future needs of the
Municipality and EnergaP.
2.1.8
Repeatability
The introduction of the energy management in the public buildings and time consuming is
difficult but not impossible. Our central long distance energy management we want to
present as a showcase. With the good information and education campaign we were able to
show the importance of the energy matters in public building regarding the living condition
and also the maintaining cost to the city administration and managers of buildings. The
energy costs are somehow lost in the budget because they are kept under the different
budget lines. With central energy management system there is not more work for financial
officers in buildings or municipal staff. It helps to have a good overview on the energy
matters regarding the money and planning the investments.
(In the beginning of the project we have spent a lot of time explaining to the people in
different municipal sectors and public building about the importance of sustainable energy
use and about benefits of the CEMS. Users were looked on the system as additional work
and extra time needed. But after using the system they have also found the positive aspect
and benefits. Similar problems we had at the beginning of organizing workshops for schools
because some of the teachers thought that energy issues cannot be part of their subject. But
during the time of cooperation they found out that energy can be issue of all subject and that
offers a lot of space for discussions regarding environmental problems and sustainable
development.)
We estimate that the project with its energy management tool and educational approach has
a very high potential for replication elsewhere in Europe. Example of the software tool for
distance energy management presented in this case study could easily used in any other
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European public or private sector. (In the filed of education about energy related issues
nowadays a lot of information, case studies and materials for teachers and pupils has been
development and a lot of documents are available on-line.)
The energy saving and more educated and responsible users that will come out in next years
will be the results of good team work of different stakeholders at local level. But without
energy agency the system would not yet because the agency acts as a central point for
energy matters in public sector in Maribor. In 3 years time we were able to be well known in
the city in different sectors and targets groups. With the CEMS system we are already known
also in Slovenia and through new IEE project we are also showing the case in other EU
country and cities.
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