Innovative practices in Bulgaria
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Municipal Initiative for Energy Efficiency
Center for Energy Efficiency EnEffect<br>Municipality of Gabrovo
Background
The problem with high energy costs in the hospitals is a problem which exists in all Bulgarian municipalities. The demonstration project for energy efficiency reconstruction of Dr. T. Velkova United Regional Hospital, Gabrovo, is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in the framework of the Municipal Initiative for Energy Efficiency Program. It is implemented by "Electrotek Concepts Inc.", USA and EnEffect, Sofia in cooperation with the Municipality of Gabrovo, Dr. T. Velkova United Regional Hospital, Gabrovo and the Association of Energy Engineers, Sofia. It is a component of the Strategy for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Energy Efficiency. Energy Efficiency Demonstration Zone Gabrovo project implemented by UNDP and GEF. The goal of the project is to reduce the used energy value in the municipal budget and to initiate energy management.
The problem with high energy costs in the hospitals is a problem which exists in all Bulgarian municipalities. The demonstration project for energy efficiency reconstruction of Dr. T. Velkova United Regional Hospital, Gabrovo, is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in the framework of the Municipal Initiative for Energy Efficiency Program. It is implemented by "Electrotek Concepts Inc.", USA and EnEffect, Sofia in cooperation with the Municipality of Gabrovo, Dr. T. Velkova United Regional Hospital, Gabrovo and the Association of Energy Engineers, Sofia. It is a component of the Strategy for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Energy Efficiency. Energy Efficiency Demonstration Zone Gabrovo project implemented by UNDP and GEF. The goal of the project is to reduce the used energy value in the municipal budget and to initiate energy management.
Practice
After a profound and detailed research and energy observation of the building to determine the energy flows and assess the potential for reducing the amount of used energy, a long list of energy-saving measures (ESM) are recommended. After a technical and economic analysis and selection, a short list is prepared together with a package of their application:
- Improvement of the building coverage - over 35% of lost heat is due to poor insulation of the windows.
- Improvement of the boilers in the heating section - low boilers` efficiency is established and overall unsatisfactory characteristics of the heating process.
- Improvements in the steam-condenser section - inadequate functioning of the equipment is established, secondary evaporation in the condenser tank, loss of condensate.
- Utilization of the hot and cold air emitted from the air-conditioning installation - a poorly working installation is detected, and poor quality of the air.
- Reducing water consumption for heating circulation - excess in water use is determined.
- Practical resources economy by means of changed tariff policy and installation of a 3-tariff-electrometer in the hospital;
- Increasing the lighting installations efficiency in the hospital.
A business and action plan is developed for the final ESM package. It is supported by a memorandum and a three-party agreement for cooperation, which determine the financial obligations of each party and the adequate use of the funds granted. All activity for the delivery and installation of ESM is performed in the course of 4 months with the coordinated action of more than 30 companies and organizations, without affecting the normal work rhythm of the hospital.
The long term observation of the energy status of the building of Dr. T. Venkova United Regional Hospital proceeds for 60 months. The data analysis for the period confirms the data obtained through on-site monitoring. The real fuel economy is 18.7% (219.4 t fuel oil and 11.1 t gas oil) per annum.
The ESM assessment includes the transport costs for the delivery of materials and equipment as a basic element of the investment costs, the contribution of the hospital and the municipality with their own resources and activities, as well as the additional energy saving measures implemented during this period. The total financial saving per year amounts to 46 690 USD. The amount of prevented harmful emissions due to the economy of fuels in the framework of the project has also been estimated.
The distribution of the funds resulting from the economy is as follows: 70% of the savings realized will support the hospital budget, and 30% will stay in the municipal budget, the municipality using its share for the implementation of other energy efficiency projects.
After a profound and detailed research and energy observation of the building to determine the energy flows and assess the potential for reducing the amount of used energy, a long list of energy-saving measures (ESM) are recommended. After a technical and economic analysis and selection, a short list is prepared together with a package of their application:
- Improvement of the building coverage - over 35% of lost heat is due to poor insulation of the windows.
- Improvement of the boilers in the heating section - low boilers` efficiency is established and overall unsatisfactory characteristics of the heating process.
- Improvements in the steam-condenser section - inadequate functioning of the equipment is established, secondary evaporation in the condenser tank, loss of condensate.
- Utilization of the hot and cold air emitted from the air-conditioning installation - a poorly working installation is detected, and poor quality of the air.
- Reducing water consumption for heating circulation - excess in water use is determined.
- Practical resources economy by means of changed tariff policy and installation of a 3-tariff-electrometer in the hospital;
- Increasing the lighting installations efficiency in the hospital.
A business and action plan is developed for the final ESM package. It is supported by a memorandum and a three-party agreement for cooperation, which determine the financial obligations of each party and the adequate use of the funds granted. All activity for the delivery and installation of ESM is performed in the course of 4 months with the coordinated action of more than 30 companies and organizations, without affecting the normal work rhythm of the hospital.
The long term observation of the energy status of the building of Dr. T. Venkova United Regional Hospital proceeds for 60 months. The data analysis for the period confirms the data obtained through on-site monitoring. The real fuel economy is 18.7% (219.4 t fuel oil and 11.1 t gas oil) per annum.
The ESM assessment includes the transport costs for the delivery of materials and equipment as a basic element of the investment costs, the contribution of the hospital and the municipality with their own resources and activities, as well as the additional energy saving measures implemented during this period. The total financial saving per year amounts to 46 690 USD. The amount of prevented harmful emissions due to the economy of fuels in the framework of the project has also been estimated.
The distribution of the funds resulting from the economy is as follows: 70% of the savings realized will support the hospital budget, and 30% will stay in the municipal budget, the municipality using its share for the implementation of other energy efficiency projects.
Results
The project demonstrates that energy saving and reducing harmful gas emissions is economically viable and can be multiplied successfully. The project received the International Energy Project of the Year Award for 1998 of the Association of Energy Engineers in Atlanta, USA. As a result of the project the hospital was able to finance the repair of the rainpipes of the building and reconstruct the operation block. The terms of investment return achieved is less than 3 years on average.
The project demonstrates that energy saving and reducing harmful gas emissions is economically viable and can be multiplied successfully. The project received the International Energy Project of the Year Award for 1998 of the Association of Energy Engineers in Atlanta, USA. As a result of the project the hospital was able to finance the repair of the rainpipes of the building and reconstruct the operation block. The terms of investment return achieved is less than 3 years on average.
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