Description
The project addresses the issues of energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy for heating. The project aims at raising the public awareness about the benefits of using solar power in the district heating system. First, a feasibility study of a future solar district heating system in Bulgaria will be carried out. Second, a model of the use of solar district heating systems at local and national level will be developed. Third, potential municipalities - partners will be identified, negotiations will be held with the local and central authorities, companies and NGOs. Finally, the benefits of a sustainable district heating system will be presented to the public. The project will benefit the local communities, companies and authorities. The partner will contribute with its expertise and contacts with the stakeholders.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the issues of energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy for heating. It raised the public awareness about the benefits of using solar power in the district heating system. First, a feasibility study of a solar district heating system in Bulgaria was carried out. The team studied, adapted and promoted the system of solar district heating and involved in the process representatives of the local and central authorities and district heating companies. Second, a model of the use of solar district heating systems at local and national level was developed by preparing 2 key expert documents: Analysis of the Technical and Economic Opportunities for Application of Solar District Heating Systems in Bulgaria and Model for Local and National Use of Solar District Heating. Third, potential partners (municipalities, companies, NGOs) were identified and more than 15 meetings took place with the local authorities, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, the Ministry of Environment and Water, Sustainable Energy Development Agency, National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Sources Fund, Bulgarian District Heating Association, Veolia Energy Varna, CEZ, Kremikovtsi, companies, NGOs, citizens and politicians with whom the technology, foreign experience, the Bulgarian specificity and adaptation were discussed. Finally, the benefits of a sustainable district heating system were presented to the public. More than 30 media were involved in the final stage of the project, the final conference and media coverage. The project not only resulted in an intense discussion about development of the policies for balanced development and sustainable use of natural resources but it also contributed to greater transparency and accountability of the energy and mining industry by means of a new model that has proved itself as an example of transparent and efficient management of the energy system. Furthermore a letter of intent was signed with Gorna Malina Municipality for renewables to be part of the sustainable development of the municipality and the municipal plan for energy efficiency. A letter of intent was also signed with the company Integra Consult for inclusion of the technology in the investment proposal for 145th Primary Schools in Sofia. The project continued to be developed through a follow-on project under Horizon 2020 Programme.
Summary of bilateral results