More information
Description
As part of the GR-Energy Programme, the Municipality of Eastern Samos carried out comprehensive energy efficiency interventions in three key public buildings: the Nursery School in Ano Vathi, the Primary School of the Mytilene community, and the Cultural Centre. The primary objective was to upgrade these facilities to "nearly zero-energy buildings," achieving an energy classification of B+.
In addition to the building-specific upgrades, the municipality implemented two further innovative energy practices in strategically important areas:
Energy-Efficient Street Lighting in the historic district of Pythagorion, reducing public lighting energy use.
Smart Electromobility Initiative, with the installation of two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Vathi and Pythagorion, promoting sustainable transport options.
These interventions collectively contribute to the substantial reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, including CO₂ and other pollutants, thus lowering the overall environmental footprint of the municipality.
Summary of project results
The project was completed successfully with no significant implementation challenges, except for a notable increase in the cost of materials and equipment compared to the initial budget estimates. This cost escalation was attributed to the broader energy crisis, which had a widespread impact on construction and energy retrofit pricing across Europe.
As a result, additional financial resources were required in the middle of implementation to fulfill the originally defined targets and commitments of the Project Promoter, as specified in the Inclusion Decision. The issue was formally acknowledged, and a request for additional funding was submitted to secure the achievement of the project''s predefined objectives and performance indicators.
In the end, 100% of the Project’s physical object was completed, following all legal procedures and within the framework of the EEA Grants 2014–2021 programme.
The Project of the Municipality of Eastern Samos, under the GR-ENERGY Programme, included the following sub-projects:
Sub-Project 1: Supply and installation of modern technologies for the energy upgrade of Samos. The following interventions were carried out:
- Nursery School in Ano Vathi: installation of new energy frames, external thermal insulation system, new LED lighting technology, BEMS energy consumption monitoring system and modern air conditioning units for cooling - heating.
- Primary School of the community of Mytilene. Replacement of the existing oil boiler with a heat pump with fan coils, installation of internal thermal insulation and BEMS system.
- Historic District of Pythagorion: Energy - demonstration upgrade of street lighting in the area by replacing a total of 35 lamps with modern LED technology.
- Demonstrative Smart Electromobility: Design and installation of 2 charging stations, one in Vathi and one in Pythagorion as a first step in the implementation of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan.
Sub-Project 2: Installation of smart measuring devices for monitoring the project results.
Sub-Project 3: Positive Open Energy Lab for the Promotion of Innovation.
Sub-Project 4: Consulting services for the project monitoring of the municipality of Eastern Samos
Sub-Project 5: Energy upgrade of the Cultural Center: In the building of the Cultural Centre, the conventional lighting fixtures were replaced with LED technology and the oil boiler was replaced with a heat pump with fan coils.
In addition, in the context of strengthening the bilateral relations of the Municipality of Eastern Samos with partners from the Donor Countries, a visit to the premises of the Icelandic National Energy Authority in Reykjavik (Orkustofnun) was carried out in September 2024 to transfer know-how and good practices in the field of green energy transition. Bilateral cooperation actions were carried out and a report was drawn up assessing the know-how transferred and describing specific results and ways of exploitation by the Municipality of Eastern Samos.
Key Achievements of the Project:
Public Awareness & Engagement: Citizens were introduced to modern green technologies, fostering environmental awareness and promoting best practices in energy upgrading.
Promotion of Sustainable Development: The project improved the community’s quality of life by integrating sustainable practices into daily infrastructure.
Environmental Impact: Notable reduction in CO₂ emissions and overall energy use across the upgraded facilities and public infrastructure.
Collaboration & Synergy: Strengthening of partnerships between local stakeholders, technical experts, and the municipal administration, contributing to long-term sustainability planning.
In conclusion, the project implemented by the Municipality of Eastern Samos under the GR-ENERGY Programme has resulted in a significant reduction in energy consumption related to the operation of three buildings. Consequently, this has led to a decrease in the energy footprint and associated CO₂ emissions of these facilities. Additionally, the installation of electric vehicle charging stations promotes public awareness and engagement with sustainable mobility practices. The project contributes to enhancing the quality of life for local residents by reducing municipal energy expenditures and fostering the adoption of advanced green energy transition technologies in the building sector.