Archive for Citizen engagement and behavioural change initiatives
Energy efficiency (practical projects)
Posted by: | CommentsThe first park for education on energy in Keratea of Attika was constructed by the Center of Renewable Energy Resources in order to provide education on renewable energy issues as well as to sensitize people on energy saving ways. It is the first thematic park which includes 4 educational areas, 8 demonstration units and 3 junctions aiming to help visitors to understand the energy production mechanisms from renewable resources.
The educational areas are the following:
* Wind area
* Hydrogen area
* Water area
* Solar area
The demonstration units are the following:
* Biomass unit for hot and cold water
* Geothermic unit for air-conditioning
* Pumping unit with photovoltaic systems
* Autonomous hybrid unit for the desalination of seawater
* Unit for production and storage of hydrogen through wind power
* Solar air-conditioning unit
* Hydroelectric unit
* Photovoltaic System for monitoring the sun
The junctions are the following:
* Junction for the history of renewable energy resources
* Junction for Geothermy
* Junction for other forms of renewable energy sources
Furthermore, the infrastructure has an amphitheatre where take place presentations of environmental programs and seminars.
European Project Create Acceptance
Posted by: | CommentsCreate Acceptance has been finalized successfully in 2008. The main outcome of the project is the ESTEEM tool (Engage stakeholders through a systematic toolbox to manage new energy projects). This tool is developed for projects managers of new energy projects who want to improve the societal acceptance of their project by stimulating the participate of stakeholders.
In principle, citizens support sustainable energy sources. Yet in practice, many projects actually face problems of acceptance. Sustainable energy projects need the support of stakeholders. In order to be successful, projects need to fit into various social contexts: they need to adapt to and shape society’s expectations.
ESTEEM is designed to help you find out how well your project fits into its social context, to learn about your stakeholders’ concerns and expectations toward the project, and to identify mutually acceptable solutions to potential difficulties. It is a structured process consisting of six steps.
The ESTEEM process is designed to be used by a consultant supporting the work of an energy project manager. As an ESTEEM consultant, you can be a business consultant, an academic or an NGO. You can also be an ‘in-house consultant’, working for the project management team.
ESTEEM provides a tool to structure your cooperation with the project manager and the stakeholders and drive the project to successful conclusion.
The project aims at finding innovative sustainable solutions for the reconversion of disused industrial areas in the town of Ortona (Provincia di Chieti, Italy). The goal has been reached through the cooperative efforts of the local partners: Provincia di Chieti, Municipality of Ortona and the local energy agency, A.L.E.S.A. The Plan, co-financed by the national Ministry for the Environment, was designed: to increase the sustainability value in the local context through the protection and exploitation of the local ecosystem; to make local community aware of the rational use of the resources; to study new sustainable models for the reconversion of disused areas in residential sites. The main results are: 1) biodiversity in urban areas: a “Biodiversity map” has been drawn up highlighting 40 public areas for the preservation of the local ecosystem; 2) the “Resources Centre for the Sustainability”: 150 mq of environmental training centre for citizens, schools and technicians; 3) n. 4 studies have been carried out in different areas to investigate their RES & RUE potentialities and to design eco-compatible buildings; 4) dissemination activities (survey; workshops, web-site, newsletters, events etc.) addressed to the local population (students, households, end-users). The project is by now in its final phase. The next step is the identification of strategic public-private partnership for the realization of the village.
Eco-city – Copenhagen, Denmark. [Urban project]
Posted by: | CommentsUntil recently, only smaller municipalities and communities tended to adopt sustainable development policies. By contrast, large urban administrations have been less geared towards implementing policies that demand a bottom-up strategy and the active participation of local players.
Most of Europe’s population live in urban areas, which account for the lion’s share of resource consumption, pollution and waste. It is essential, that sustainable development becomes a concern of urban government. A step in this direction was taken
in the 1990s, when experiments involving local administration of large urban areas were carried out all over Europe. The strength of local administration is that the units are smaller, more efficient, less bureaucratic and closer to local residents.
The project was funded in part by the European project and is encrypted LIFE: LIFE96 ENV/Dk/344.
Energy window – Savona, Italy [Energy information for the public]
Posted by: | CommentsThe Energy Window of Savona is realised with the collaboration of Tecnocivis S.p.A. and turns to:
- citizens;
- schools
- public authorities and institutions;
- PMI and big enterprises;
- associations.
for information upon the availability of funding and contributions to realise plant for the production of energy obtained by sustainable resources (contributions of the Region Liguria and of banks which propose specific financial products).
Guarantees the diffusion of news regarding the actual and future activities and the projects of the Environmental Protection sector of the “Provincia” of Savona and information upon the events, the shows and fairs in the energetic sectors, which are organised at the local and regional levels.
Supplies the population with booklets about the different kind of sustainable resources (photovoltaic, solar heating, Aeolian, biomass, hydroelectric) and about the energetic saving.
The Energy Window supplies with clarifications and information about the checks to the heating systems, to the ways of agreement to the control campaigns of the heating system, and indications about the correct maintenance of the systems, to improve their efficiencies.
Ice-block-bet in Lübeck (Germany)
Posted by: | CommentsThe City of Lübeck, in cooperation with the local Lutheran church, a local carpenter and a local conservation group carried out the project “Ice-block-bet” (inspired by the climate-alliance). A hedgehog, a tortoise and a mole made out of ice (exhibited during the temporary exposition “Ice world” in Lübeck 2007) were put in a small highly heat-insulated house for three months, beginning on march 23rd. Without additional cooling, the statues were supposed to resist the temperatures of a very hot spring. The citizens were encouraged to place a bet on which percentage of the ice would remain at the end of the time period. In June, the low energy-house was opened and only 28% of the ice had melted. The winners of the bet were awarded with prizes. The project had intended to promote the great potential of heat insulation for energy saving.
Energy Guardians in Leeds City Council
Posted by: | CommentsThe successful recruitment of over 80 colleagues within Leeds City Council to promote energy efficiency within their teams. The Guardians work within their team to help colleagues develop energy efficiency behaviours and so reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Solar City Malmö– solar energy in Skåne
Posted by: | CommentsSolar City Malmö was established in the year 2007. This was a co-operation initiative between the City of Malmö, Skåne Energy Agency and the faculty of technology at Lunds University. The purpose of Solar City is to work towards the increase of solar energy installations in Malmö and the Skåne region. Solar City will develop a knowledge centre and a network for solar energy in the region. The organisation will also arrange courses for educational purpose, study visits, exhibitions, information, counselling, etc.
Working with energy efficiency matters at hospital building
Posted by: | CommentsSkåne Energy agency was consulted by the environmental co-ordinator at Region Skåne, the county council responsible for healthcare within the region, to influence the hospital departments to better their use of energy in particular electricity. The hospital of Kristianstad was chosen due to an engaged environmental co-ordinator. Together with the co-ordinator, it was decided to start working with one devoted department of the hospital corresponding to one floor.
The use of electricity was investigated, electricity meters for the single floor were installed, the medical staff were given advice on energy efficient behaviour and finally measures where identified and carried out in co-operation with the medical and the operating staff.
The idea was to keep on to the other, almost identical floors, copying the energy efficient measures from the first department.
Energy Expert Training in the Blocks of Flats owned by the City of Turku
Posted by: | CommentsThe Energy Agency of Southwest Finland organises energy expert trainings for the resident committees of the blocks of flats owned by the City Council. The aim is to have 1-2 experts in each block of flats. The candidates for the training are chosen by the resident committees. The role of the expert is to give peer support in energy issues to his/her neighbours. It is important to bear in mind that the expert is not a controller, instead, experts provide advice to other residents on heating, electricity, water and to some extend on waste issues.
The funding for those trainings comes mainly from the real estate company, owned by the City of Turku, which owns the block of flats.
All together about 100 experts have been trained. The main challenge is to evaluate and follow-up the progress from the experts once are trained. This monitoring is done through support meetings after the training.
