Municipal Network for Energy Efficiency

The Latvian government is now promoting energy efficiency in buildings. As part of this program, the government is creating a national energy audit mechanism named MAJA. MAJA is comprised on 4 main modules described below, and these modules interact to create a national energy database.

Existing Situation: For this module, information is collected on existing factors that affect energy efficiency. These factors include the geometry of the building, ventilation, specific heat loss, hot water, heat gains, solar gains, degree days, heating, energy costs, heat consumption ratio, and CO2. This module is important for establishing a baseline against which to rate the success of energy efficiency investments.

After EE Measures: After the energy efficiency measures have been implemented, this module collects information from the same factors that were measured in the existing situation module. In addition, this module collects information on investment data. The database allows the user to calculate energy and pollution reductions when certain measures are implemented. For example, if a building has a certain kind of window or insulation, the database can calculate the savings if another type of windows or insulation were installed.

Optimization: This module provides three optimization target functions, including minimum annual life cycle costs, minimum net costs, and maximum annual CO2 reduction.

Charts: An important component of any energy accounting tool is its capacity to present data in a clear fashion so that decision-makers can understand the information and conduct meaningful analysis. This module of MAJA is capable of creating graphical illustrations on specific heat loss, heat gains, specific consumption, costs, CO2, carbon abatement, and heat consumption ration.

For more information, please contact Angela Morin.