Energy Conservation in Central European Schools Region: Central and Eastern Europe, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia

Author: EPCE Czech Republic, Brno Consortium Member: EPCE Czech Republic Status: Needs Funding Budget: $33000 Collected: $0 Needs: $33000 Goal: To expand the "Energy Conservation in Schools" program in Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Funding is needed for regional coordination and for core operating expenses in each country. Comment: This program has a proven record of success. Through citizens' energy audits and action plans, installation of energy-saving equipment and adoption of conservation measures, the program saves money, reduces pollution, and strengthens communities.

Project description In 2000 the ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIP foundations teamed up with some 20 partner organisations to develop the Energy Conservation in Schools program to promote practical energy conservation as well as increase awareness of energy issues. The program focuses on getting school children directly involved in saving energy in their schools and other community buildings. Though the program varies somewhat from country to country depending on different needs and conditions, the basic approach is everywhere the same: the foundations and partner organisations offer educational programs on energy to schools and assist them in developing "Energy Teams". The teams, which often include teachers and parents as well as schoolchildren, perform simple energy audits and develop action plans for implementing energy conservation measures in their schools. The best plans and accompanying activities are rewarded with investment (about $ 1,000) for their implementation. The performance of these energy conservation measures are then monitored and the results publicised and promoted. Among the criteria for project selection are not only the potential for energy conservation, but also support from other sources, including local government and business, as well as involvement of different people from throughout the community. Case Study 1: Bialy Kosciol, Poland / Elementary school (2000-2001) The primary school in the small village of Bialy Kosciol, just 20 km from Krakow in southern Poland, is one of the over 100 schools throughout Poland that have participated in the Energy Conservation in Schools program. The energy audit and energy conservation plan that schoolchildren worked out with teachers, parents and school officials provided the basis for negotiations with the local government and firms. As a result, the 1,000 USD that the program awarded to the school was far outstripped by the investment ultimately raised, which was enough to replace the school's furnace, all of its windows, and to introduce energy-efficient light bulbs. "Much of that investment came from the municipal government, but the impetus and leverage for raising the money came from the Precious Energy program," says Wieslawa Graglewska, the school's dynamic director. "Without the program, none of this would have happened." Case study 2: Przyslop, Poland / Przyslop Elementary school (2000-2001) In the small village of Przyslop in southern Poland close to the Slovak border, energy conservation has been an important focus for cooperation between the small elementary school, parents, local officials, and even a monastery, who are fighting to keep the small school from being closed due to recent reforms in the educational system. With the inspiration of a nearby environmentally friendly Carmelitan monastery, locals are turning the small school into an environmental center capable of promoting sustainable development in the region as well as carrying some of the costs of keeping the small school open. The Energy Conservation in Schools program has provided the first step toward fulfilling this vision, and

mobilized enough local resources to make one classroom energy efficient, including installation of new windows, energy saving light bulbs and improved temperature regulation. Case study 3: Levice, Slovakia / Elementary School No. 5 (2000-2001) Virtually everyone connected with Elementary School No. 5 in Levice in Slovakia got involved in saving energy at the school, including a total of 51 teachers, 750 pupils, school administrators, parents, members of the parents association as well as local businesspeople. Pupils formed teams that measured energy use in classrooms and looked for opportunities to achieve energy savings. A number of teachers focused their lessons on energy, from art to science and writing. Among the results of the work of the volunteer work brigades that were organized to implement energy conservation measures were: 250 large windows insulated, 14 doorways fitted with new thresholds, all broken windows repaired, 300 light bulbs replaced with energy efficient ones, all vents cleaned. Chief results of the program in 2000-2001 over 8,000 schoolchildren and 600 teachers, parents and other volunteers actively involved in energy conservation projects; more than 10,000 schoolchildren participated in educational activities; 122 participating schools; investment in energy conservation introduced in 31 schools (e.g. insulation of windows, replacement of lighting, temperature controls, etc.); Educational materials created and distributed in each country.

Background Energy remains one of the most pressing environmental and economic problems in Central Europe. Production and consumption of energy has a major impact on the quality of air, water, and soil as well as the structure of the landscape. Nevertheless, a decade after the fall of the Iron Curtain, intensity of energy use in Central Europe remains two to three times higher than in many Western European countries. Particularly energy use in public buildings and households remains little changed, and in some instances has even worsened. In fact, public awareness regarding energy issues is much lower in Central Europe than in Western countries, where energy issues became popularized especially through the energy crisis in the 1970s. Schools have some of the greatest potential for energy savings in Central Europe. Yet the benefits of energy conservation are scarcely known among school administrators and local officials and seldom used. At the same time, schools are a natural place to start raising awareness of energy conservation and energy issues, particularly as school children take what they have learned home and pass it on to their parents, neighbours and friends. Our longer-term aim is to use this program to generate pressure on respective governments to become more forceful in promoting energy conservation. Many schools in the region, particularly those in rural villages and small towns, still serve as the center of their community. Initiatives focused around these schools can bring together not only teachers, children and their parents, but also local government and business leaders. Particularly in societies that are still dealing with the legacy of Communism, practical community-based projects focused on schools can demonstrate the value of personal initiative the best proof that change is possible from below. Previous support In 2000-2001 the Energy Conservation in Schools program was supported by a grant of $80,000 from the Honeywell Corporation (about $48,000 went directly toward implementation of energy conservation

measures, with the remainder covering NGO work with schools, development and printing of educational publications, and management). Despite considerable achievements, support from Honeywell has been suspended due to the corporations planned merger with General Electric and dissolution of the Honeywell Foundation. The program showed its great potential, but no future funding is secured at the moment. Budget To continue the program, we are seeking $33,000 to cover regional co-operation and core operational costs. Additional funds can be raised from within each country (e.g. from State Environmental Funds) to top off support for NGO work with schools as well as to cover costs of actually implementing energy conservation measures. Support from the Virtual Foundation is needed for: Regional Coordination Regional coordinator (1/2 time, including insurance, benefits, office costs) Regional coordinator - travel Regional coordination - telecommunications, postage Two regional workshops for program organizers from PL, SK, CZ, HU (includes travel, food and lodging) Country programs - total costs Country coordinator (1/4 time, including insurance, benefits, office costs) ($3,500 /country) Country coordinator - travel ($300 USD/country) Country coordination - telecommunications, postage ($700 /country) Two country workshops for program organizers, key participants ($500 /country) VF Administrative Fee Total requested from the Virtual Foundation: Support from other sources covers: Work with schools ($5,000 /country) Publications ($3,000 /country Energy conservation measures - awards of 1,000 USD for best energy conservation plans ($10,000 /country) Total from other sources: China Resorts to Blackouts in Pursuit of Energy Efficiency Despite Thomas Friedmans general optimism about Beijings ability and willingness to reverse decades of environmental degradation, this article in the Guardian shows that, on the ground, there is still a long way to go: Anping County, in Hebei Province, cut electricity to homes, factories and public buildings for 22 hours every three days in a radical move that has highlighted both the serious last-minute effort that China is making to achieve environmental goals and the immense long-term difficulty of shifting away from a dirty, wasteful model of economic growth. There are less than four months left until the end of Chinas current five-year plan, during which the economy is supposed to have become 20% more energy efficient. That target (which measures energy use relative to GDP growth) is crucial for a nation that wants to move up the economic value chain and prove to the world that it is making a significant contribution toward tackling greenhouse gas emissions. Progress towards this goal was initially good, with a 14.4% gain in efficiency until last year. But it was tilted off track in the first three months of 2010 by huge infrastructure spending largely on energy-

$6,000 $600 $1,400 $2,000 $14,000 $1,200 $2,800 $2,000 $3,000 $33,000 $20,000 $12,000 $40,000 $72,000

intensive steel and cement projects aimed at warding off the worst effects of the global economic downturn. Smart Energy Management for Chinas Transmission Grid Merging electricity infrastructure with information technology, the Smart Grid is a project that aims to reduce Chinas energy consumption per unit of GDP. From Renewable Energy World: On November 9th the Chinese government approved a US $586 billion stimulus plan focused on largescale investment in low-income housing, water, rural infrastructure and electricity in China. Though the primary purpose of this initiative is to spur economic growth at a time when exports are falling, as the Chinese stock market is in the doldrums and GDP growth is flagging, a secondary effect of this stimulus plan may be increased investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency in China. This effort would include accelerating efforts to achieve the goal of reducing Chinas energy consumption per unit of GDP by a cumulative 20% by 2010. One very promising approach for China to build energy conservation into its infrastructure is the construction of a smart grid. The smart grid is the merging of electricity infrastructure with information technology. The purpose is to add monitoring, analysis, control and communication capabilities to any national electrical delivery system to maximize efficiency while reducing energy consumption. Creating a unified power grid and upgrading aging power systems will increase productivity, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase national security. The Smart Grid Programs initial goals: stimulate interest in Smart Grid planning, in China, and identify a few key Chinese leaders. Smart Grid will involve bringing in a series of international experts to China, over time. These discussions will help disparate groups begin to define Smart Grid in the context of Chinaas JUCCCE investigates case studies on return on investment (ROI). Smart Grid will outline a set of necessary early decisions, in China, so as not to make later implementation unnecessarily expensive. The Smart Grid Programs secondary goal: create a feasibility study of the financial, policy and technical requirements of a Smart Grid in China. The Smart Grid Programs third goal: catalyze a regional pilot for Smart Grid.

Energy conservation takes center stage in the Philippines by Abigail L. Ho.

FOR MOST Filipinos, the virtue of frugality has been instilled since childhood. Much emphasis is placed on the importance of not wasting one's food, money and time. Now, more than ever, this virtue will be put to the ultimate test as the country faces a crisis that, if unchecked, can spell economic disaster. Even acts as simple as turning off lights when not in use, shutting down air-conditioners earlier than usual and adopting better driving habits will do wonders in helping the country cope with the oil crisis that the whole world is now facing. The Department of Energy has proposed several measures that will reduce the country's fuel consumption, based on different diesel price thresholds. Three scenarios have been used as basis for the measures, including the current situation with diesel retailing for an average of P29.76 a liter (at least during the time

of the formulation of the measures last month), Scenario 1 with diesel at P40 a liter and Scenario 2 with diesel at P50 a liter. Ten measures have even been recommended for accelerated implementation. These are expected to cut the country's fuel consumption by 1.34 million barrels of fuel oil equivalent or savings of close to P4.1 billion a year. Among the measures being recommended for accelerated implementation are the setting of temperature levels of mall air-conditioning at 25 degrees, using neon signs only from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., reducing mall hours by an hour a day, limiting the operating hours of gasoline stations, boosting the import tariff on gasguzzlers, strictly implementing a speed limit of 80 kilometers an hour on highways, banning night golf, installing power capacitors in government buildings, conducting an energy audit of commercial and industrial establishments and enhancing the implementation of energy efficiency programs across all sectors. Reducing mall hours by an hour a day, for example, would cut the country's fuel requirements by 49,000 barrels of fuel oil equivalent a year, resulting in a saving of P147 million. Setting the temperature level of mall air-conditioners at 25 degrees, on the other hand, will save 149,000 barrels of fuel oil equivalent or P450.8 million. Enhancing the implementation of energy efficiency programs in the industrial, commercial and transport sectors, however, will result in the biggest savings among the 10 recommended measures at 881,000 barrels of fuel oil equivalent valued at P2.7 billion a year. While these measures are still recommendatory in nature and are still subject for discussion and negotiation with the concerned parties, some have either gotten industry nod or are now being processed for possible implementation. The DoE has signed a memorandum of agreement with oil firms on the shortened operating hours for their service stations. Gas stations not located in traffic-heavy thoroughfares will close from midnight to 4 a.m. to save on electricity and fuel. Also, the DoE is working closely with Manila Electric Co. and other power distributors for the implementation of a Power Factor Improvement Program in government agencies. Under this program, power factor equipment or capacitors will be installed in government offices to boost electricity consumption efficiency. Initial DoE estimates show that close to P34 million or 11,000 barrels of fuel oil equivalent in savings will be generated each year if the program will be adopted in 152 government agencies all over the country. More drastic measures But as world oil prices continue to soar, even the measures recommended for accelerated implementation do not seem to be enough for the government as the country's economic managers suggested that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo be given emergency powers similar to that given to President Fidel Ramos at the height of the energy crisis in the early 1990s. Coupled with the granting of emergency powers is the proposed issuance of a law similar to Batas Pambansa 73, titled as "An Act to Further Promote Energy Conservation and for Other Purposes," which took effect from 1980 to 1985 during the tail end of the Ferdinand Marcos regime. Taking its cue from this old law, the proposed new law will give government agencies the power to impose mandatory energy conservation measures, including fuel rationing during periods of tight supply. Other

measures being considered include requiring industrial, commercial and transport firms to collect waste oil for recycling, as well as requiring the use of thermostats that will have to be set at specific temperature levels. Also, the Department of Labor and Employment may impose staggered working hours in industrial and commercial establishments or fix the number of working days in a week for all businesses. The Department of Trade and Industry may restrict the number of hours that business and entertainment establishments may operate. Lawmakers met this suggestion with mixed reactions. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago expressed support for such a law, provided that proper safeguards would be put in place and that it would not go beyond a specific period of implementation. Senator Joker Arroyo said President Arroyo did not deserve to be granted emergency powers and that there was no need for a Marcos issuance during his martial-law rule to be revived. President Arroyo last week ordered government agencies, state-run corporations and universities to implement a gas-rationing scheme to enable them to reduce their monthly fuel consumption by 10 percent. Under this mandate, the use of government vehicles would be restricted to essential activities and weekend travel on them would also be banned. Outside of those emergency measures, the DoE's current scenario measures include the possibility of having number-coding schemes that ban motor vehicles from the streets on specified days beyond Metro Manila and even "carless" days. These measures would not be compulsory. Mandatory measures under this scenario are mostly targeted at government agencies, especially National Power Corp. President Arroyo's order last week is one of the mandatory measures under this scenario. According to the DoE, implementing all the voluntary and mandatory measures under the current price scenario will result in a fuel consumption reduction of 25.05 million barrels of fuel oil equivalent or savings of P75.14 billion a year. When diesel prices reach P40 a liter, additional and even more drastic measures will be implemented, expanding all location-specific energy conservation measures under the current scenario will be expanded to nationwide coverage. Additional measures under this stage of the government's energy conservation program include the provision of a carpooling express lane, support for the use of "FX" taxi vans as an alternative to limitedoccupancy cabs, encouragement of the use of liquefied petroleum gas and other alternative fuels as transport fuels, suspension of the 10 a.m.-3 p.m. "open window" provision in the number-coding scheme, and the implementation of a nine-day work cycle for government agencies and public schools. If all 28 measures under this stage of the government's energy conservation plan are implemented, the country will be able to save 35.91 million barrels of fuel oil equivalent and P107.83 billion a year. Should world prices continue their ascent and local diesel prices spike to as much as P50 a liter, more measures will be made mandatory, many of them requiring a drastic departure from some already established practices. Government agencies and public schools will have to follow a four-day work cycle, similar to the scheme implemented last summer. In addition, an odd-even license plate fueling restriction system will take effect, color-coding scheme restrictions will be extended from just one day to two days, and power generation agencies will be required to use alternative and cheaper fuels.

Apart from these, interruptible power supply will be implemented in the Visayas and Mindanao grids and, like government agencies, industrial and commercial establishments will be required to implement measures that will enable them to achieve a 10-percent reduction in electricity consumption. These measures are expected to generate savings of 42.23 million barrels of fuel oil equivalent or P126.78 billion in a year. Beyond energey conservation While these energy conservation measures are expected to ease the impact of soaring world oil prices on the country's economy, Energy Undersecretary Peter Anthony Abaya says these are not enough. Long-term solutions are necessary. For one, he says the country should put in place a National Petroleum Strategic Reserve by 2010 through one or a combination of the following: discovery of more oil reserves, investing in oil stockpiling infrastructure with a capacity of 30-45 days, granting concessions to a company that will convert the country's coal into fuels and extracting and developing the oil reserves of the Malampaya gas and oil field off the western island of Palawan. A team from the US Department of Energy recommended an in-country oil stockpile with a capacity based on the International Energy Agency (IEA) criteria of 90 days of net imports, an accepted standard among Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member-economies. Looking at the country's oil imports and exports over the last five years, the US DOE team said the total size of the national stockpile should come up to 30 million barrels to achieve the IEA reserve criteria. The composition of the Philippines Strategic Oil Stockpile should be as follows: 23.5 million barrels of crude oil, 5 million barrels of diesel fuel and 1.5 million barrels of liquefied petroleum gas. But establishing a national oil stockpile will entail a huge investment: about $1 billion for a 30-millionbarrel storage capacity. These are Investments are not being made and not even being committed right now, Abaya says. "The problem of rising world oil prices and its crippling effect on our economy is far larger and disastrous than we ever expected. The programs presently in place are not responsive enough to solving the problems that lie ahead," Abaya says. "The present political activities have not helped at all. The biggest national threat is before us now. Nothing less than acting as one nation can we tame the cancer of oil and avert an economic crash come 2008." With INQ7.net Energy Saving News Philippines Take Steps toward Energy Conservation

THE Philippines Department of Energy (DOE) will be conducting a seminar on energy conservation and energy spot checks for government agencies on May 19-20 in support of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP).The seminar on power conservation and efficiency will discuss various energy conservation tips along with the GEMP campaign, according to Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Regional Director Lawyer Ma. Janet C. Mesa.Ms Mesa said the activity is a collaborative effort between the DOE and PIA.The spot check energy audit will ascertain the energy efficiency, conservation measures and practices among government agencies.GEMP is one of the projects under the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program (NEECP), which aims to support government agencies and offices on cost savings without sacrificing productivity and to obtain their savings commitment.

Tuesday 18th May 2010 Energy Conservation Action Plan in US Energy Conservation, Alternative Fuels, Alternative Energy Strategies, Green Buildings Opportunities for energy conservation are increasingly available in almost every application in any setting. Home, school, office, and industrial environments have all benefited from cost-saving and energy-saving innovations. The advantages of energy conservation have been quantified on the local level as tons of airpollutants avoided and dollars saved. Reduction in global green house gas emissions are also quantified with the benefit of reduced warming affect. Sites below provide a wealth of information useful in the home and community, and sources for additional policy information, data on technologies and how to order energy saving products. On the community level opportunities for large scale energy saving applications may be hindered by the up front investment costs. These costs have been in many cases subsidized through local energy utilities which have succeeded in the integration of energy conservation into their rate base. For example, the Washington D.C. metro area, the local utility PEPCO underwrote the cost of compact fluorescent bulbs for several years. In other locations utilities have worked to provide interest subsidies for the purchase of highly efficient household appliances, like refrigerators. These appliances carry a higher purchase price, which may discourage buyers, but over the life of the equipment will actually save money though reduced energy consumption. Subsidizing interest payments bring the purchase price in line with conventional appliances. http://www.epa.gov/greenkit/q5_energ.htm