Description
This project is necessary to promote awareness and capacity of municipality as well as greater society to use satellite data from Earth observation satellites that is soon to be available to any user from the European Union Copernicus program. The aim of the research is to develop a methodology by which municipality’s decision-makers will be able to plan a transparent building insulation measures, monitor maintenance costs, investments, greenhouse gas (GHG) and CO2 emissions, as well as any other gained benefits. To ensure qualitative implementation of this project 5 activities are arranged in logical order, during which satellite data will be obtained and processed, information on current activities and investments in insulation of municipality building from municipalities obtained and categorized, calculation methodology developed for investment return rate and benefits to be calculated, and a regional strategy for future action planning will be developed. The result of the Project is a research- strategic plan that would be probated as a pilot-project for the selected set of 5 largest municipalities of Kurzeme region. However it would also facilitate increase of capacity of all other municipalities in Kurzeme region as well as in the whole territory of Latvia to prioritize and financially support investment planning for retro-fitting of municipal buildings.
Summary of project results
This project was necessary to promote awareness and capacity of municipalities as well as greater society to use satellite data from Earth observation satellites that are soon to be available to any user from the European Union Copernicus program. The aim of the research was to develop a methodology by which municipality’s decision-makers will be able to plan a transparent building insulation measures, monitor maintenance costs, investments, greenhouse gas (GHG) and CO2 emissions. Within the project strategy on potential activities of 5 largest municipalities in Kurzeme Region is developed. To ensure strategy development, satellite data were obtained and processed, information on current activities and investments in the insulation of municipality building from municipalities obtained and categorised, calculation methodology developed for investment return rate and benefits to be calculated. Strategy helps to increase knowledge, capacity, and ability to use cost-effective initial energy audit types by using satellite data and the latest thermal auditing technology. It is possible to accurately identify heat loss in buildings owned by the municipality, to provide better planning with regards to the use of the municipal budget and the available investments, as well as to monitor the efficiency of thermal insulation improvement measures. Energy efficiency of building in the 5 largest municipalities of Kurzeme was analysed through collecting real data on the structural content of buildings, energy audits carried on them before and after renovation, and those data were integrated into a newly developed thermal interactive tool - eeĢIS.lv. The result of the Project is a strategic plan that would be probated as a pilot-project for the selected set of 5 largest municipalities of Kurzeme region. However, it will also facilitate increase of capacity of all other municipalities in Kurzeme region as well as in the whole territory of Latvia to prioritise and financially support investment planning for renovating of municipal buildings.
Summary of bilateral results
Project partner "International development Norway (IDN) Research" is a non-profit research organisation conducting basic research, industrial research, experimental development and disseminate results through publications, education, and technology transfer activities. In this project, IDN Research provided experts on renewable energy and environmental technology that was part of the team that made the analysis of data from the research and helped to develop a strategy for the region. Within the framework of the project, data analyst had the experience exchange trip to Norway. Aim of the visit was to get acquainted with best practice examples of climate change - greenhouse gas emission reduction issues in our Scandinavian partner organization in Trondheim. Continuing the exchange of experience and cooperation, a return visit to Latvia has been organised. During the visit, views of the experts on operation and functionality of the interactive tool were discussed. Representatives of the project received the experts' opinion, consultations and suggestions for strategic solutions offering to municipalities. Norwegian partner representative took part in project closing seminar with the presentation titled - Energy efficiency and green technology, Norwegian experience. As a result of the partnership, a research is developed on strategy for effective as far as possible heat loss prevention planning.