The Municipal Energy Security course is ongoing.
“Our goal today is to introduce participants to technical solutions and organisational measures,” Yuliia Molodozhen, Head of the Regional Office "of U-LEAD with Europe in the Odesa oblast, said when opening the latest info session.
According to U-LEAD expert on energy efficiency, Andrii Barulin, increasing energy efficiency is the most effective in systems with the highest consumption. Heating is usually such a system, so it is important to focus on its costs: check heat losses through the roof, walls, floor, ceiling, piping, etc.
“In order to get the most of it, municipalities need to choose buildings with really high consumption and perform preparatory work, such as an energy survey and project estimates,” said Mr Barulin.
The energy balance of the building will help understand which systems consume the most. The next step, given the available resources, is to determine a specific course of action.
“Energy-saving efforts should begin with analysing the operation of municipal buildings and premises. This analysis should be followed by organisational measures such as reducing the heating in unused buildings, joint use of premises for various activities, etc.,” said Andrii Barulin.
Municipalities can improve energy efficiency now by implementing recommendations that can have a significant effect and a short payback period without significant investment. For example, insulating the piping of the heating system, arranging proper ventilation, etc. Comprehensive insulation of the building can drastically reduce energy consumption, but it requires significant capital investments.