The Baltic Region
The Alliance's work in the Baltic region focused on Latvia and Lithuania, financed by USAID and the State Deparment, respectively. A strong effort emphasized municipal energy planning, work with local counterparts for development of meaningful processes by which cities can think systematically about energy efficiency, energy supply and forecasting.
LATVIA
The MUNEE program of the Alliance to Save Energy, financed by USAID in Latvia was implemented in 2002 with four main objectives:
1. create and conduct a three day energy efficiency course for municipal executives
2. create and conduct a training course for energy managers
3. implement a demand side management (DSM) program in Valmiera
4. participate in regional exchange.
At program's end in 2003, all of the above objectives were achieved successfully. All of the participants gained experience which they transferred to future projects. In order to give a real-life account of the success, it is necessary to highlight the DSM program in Valmiera (see ManagEnergy's Case Study of MUNEE/Ekodoma in Valmiera ).
Throughout the MUNEE project, three energy audits were carried out in Valmiera residential buildings. Presentations directed at the residents and decision-makers were given by the consultants in order to inform them about the benefits of energy efficiency. Immediately after the audits, there was little interest from the residents and and housing associations. However, the positive and good quality results are slowly becoming evident.
For example, post-MUNEE, the Valmiera Council has been taking a more active role in educating the residents about energy efficiency and providing financial support for the activities. Increasingly more housing associations and cooperatives are willing to invite energy auditors, and to incorporate the auditors’ suggestions into improvement of buildings. As a result, it turns out that Valmiera is the Latvian champion of buildings’ energy efficiency.
The progress is evident in the initiative of the state government. In the beginning of 2005 the State “Housing Agency” announced two tenders for implementation of 100 energy audits in Latvia: one tender for buildings to undergo audits, and the second tender for energy auditors. Ekodoma was chosen to be one of the winners in energy auditors’ competition, and was appointed to do the audits in 23 of Valmiera’s residential buildings. The results of these audits are given in the presentation attached.
Conclusions
• The MUNEE program activities in Valmiera generated a snowball effect for energy efficiency measures in multifamily residential buildings.
• Valmiera has become the most active town in energy efficiency improvement.
• Continuation of similar activities (information campaigns to motivate other municipalities, energy auditing system, energy manager systems, etc.) could provide strong influence on reduction of energy resource consumption.
LITHUANIA
The MUNEE program in Lithuania has led to greater cooperation among the municipal association (ALAL), district heating association (LDHA), and energy institute (LEI). A formal LEI-ALAL-LDHA partnership has been established. This partnership is working to enhance data and information sharing for purposes of municipal strategy development, local energy planning, identifying training needs and financing potential, and other activities supported by MUNEE.
Within the MUNEE framework, the Lithuanian partners prepared several policy papers about the most critical issues concerning local energy use. These papers are relied upon to generate discussion among municipalities through the weekly Municipal News of the ALAL. Several MUNEE issues and case studies were presented in the Municipal News. The LEI has developed an energy efficiency strategy and general municipal energy action plan for the ALAL.
Integrated Municipal Energy Planning (IRP)
The concept that MUNEE is emphasizing for Lithuania is integrated planning - looking at end-use efficiency as well as district heating supply options. The objective is to ensure that local decision-makers have the tools and basic energy understanding they need to assess all the options to enable informed decision-making about energy investment projects. According to the MUNEE survey of Lithuanian cities, many cities have examined the prospects for district heating rehabilitation (including partial or complete decentralization of heat), while others - mostly through World Bank programs - have implemented end-use efficiency projects in public buildings, such as schools. However, the end-use projects tend to be one-off projects, financed by international donors, while energy planning exercises tend to be focused only on the supply side.
The MUNEE team is working with the Municipality of Birstonas (a small town with an energy efficiency vision) to develop a comprehensive energy plan, integrating both supply-side and demand-side solutions, emphasizing energy efficiency as an energy resource (much like district heating rehabilitation and autonomous boilers are treated as energy resources).
Various energy accounting tools , including a software tool developed by one of MUNEE's Lithuania partners, are being applied to assess potential end-use energy efficiency resources. A similar IRP concept will be outlined to enable use by larger municipalities. The results, including the planning and methodologies applicable for small and medium-sized municipalities, will be disseminated throughout the region.
For Further Information, contact: Angela Morin Allen
E-mail: amorin@ase.org