Efficiency - Structural Funds overview INFORSE-Europe

This page includes Structural Fund Projects focused on energy efficiency.

# AUSTRIA

Promoting Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency - Vienna

In Vienna, the URBAN Programme promoted highly skilled businesses in renewable energy and improve public awareness about new energy technologies. It created a business centre to specifically attract SMEs working in the renewable energy sector. This centre, known as the Schmelz, provides these companies with 5,500 m2 of new floor space in a recently refurbished building.

More information on the European Commission regional policy website: Link (website removed by the EC)

From 1991, Upper Austria has an active energy policy called “Energy Contracting Program”, an innovative financing system for first time implemented in Europe. When a local authority or a company wants to buy a service related to energy (lighting, isolation, heating, etc.) and they contract a company to do the job, the company not only installs the equipment, but also takes on the task of managing the entire project, including the overall financing and the ongoing maintenance. The contractor also has to guarantee a certain level on energy savings. Then it is a win-win situation: the contractor is assured a long-term contract, and the mandator doesn't have to spend the money in new equipment, save money with the energy savings and benefits on the know how of the contractor.

The Green Building Cluster in Lower Austria is committed to the energy-efficient refurbishment of old buildings and the construction of new, multi-storey buildings to passive house standards. Since 2001, 230 cooperative projects have been undertaken and involved 463 companies. The results have been significant: between 2003 and 2008, the energy performance of old buildings in Lower Austria had already improved from 280 to a median of 78 kWh/m²/yr. Through finantial incentives, codes and awareness raising for new buildings now up to 50% of new homes are being built as passive energy homes in the region.

Time period: 2007-2013
Total project cost: 3,431,400 EUR
EU contribution: 937,400 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Green Building Cluster: English, German

A North Sea Way to Energy-Efficient Regions (ANSWER)

The ANSWER project aims to reduce energy use by assissting communities to develop energy efficiency solutions and to create more sustainable communities. It is focused in the work with schools, communities and bussiness.

Time period: 2007-2013
Total project cost: 3,598,588 EUR
EU Contribution: 1,501,658 EUR

The first non-residential passive house in Czech Republic has been built with support from EU funding. It is the Hostetin Centre for Sustainable Rural Development and uses 80% less energy than a conventional building. The centre offers practical education and training about sustainable development-especially on “passive-house” energy efficiency. Its further goal is to create a platform to manage regional sustainability projects in the Zlin province, where job opportunities are limited and population is in decline. It was built with energy saving features such as superinsulation and triple-pane insulated glazing to reduce heat leakage. It is also airtight, has a heat-recovery ventilation system, and systems to reduce use of water and artificial lighting. It annually consumes about 15 KWh per square metre for space heating supplied from the municipal biomass heating plant and the Centre’s own solar-power system.

Time period: March to September 2006
Total project cost: 805,887 EUR
EU contribution: 435,179 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Contact Organization: The Ecological Institute Veronica (Czech Union for Nature Conservation)

# DENMARK

The "Longlife Project" aims to conduct a comparative review among the environmental considerations for buildings that are in place in Denmark, Germany, Lithuania and Poland to produce guidelines with the best practices, techniques and institutional structures. It will result in new, innovative and higher standards in energy efficiency, resource-saving buildings and low lifecycle costs
These guidelines will be used to build a prototype “green” residential building, and will be also suitable for use in another kinds of buildings.

Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Belarus, through 15 partners of different sectors will work together to improve the energy efficiency and to do sustainable rehabilitation of existing residential areas of the Baltic Region. The Urb.Energy Project aims to encourage greater use of renewable energy, offer innovative funding schemes for related activities, and introduce strategies for integrated urban development, including guidelines and manuals. A work package coordination team will play a leadership role to oversee progress to ensure that all project partners work towards the same goal.

Time Period: 2009-2012
EU contribution: 2,900,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Urb. Energy Project Website

This project will replace Tallinn non-efficient 40-year-old trains with 18 new electric multiple units contributing to savings of 30% of energy use and an estimated increase of commuters in 21% due to more frequent and faster services and a greater access for all passengers.

Time period: 2007-2013
Total project cost: 83,085,100 EUR
EU Contribution: 70,622,400 EUR

The project is promoting renewable energy use in the Alsace region, especially solar and wood based sources. It has set up a system of regional facilitators to encourage investments in renewable energy equipment, conducted experiments with renewable energies and energy efficiency systems, created a publicity campaign for general public. It also has set a cluster of renewable energy and a french labelling system on low energy consumption in buildings, and through finantial incentives it has stimulate the use of renewable energies in the tourism and farming sector and the research through grants for students.
Some of the results are the creation of a regional policy promoting renewable energy, a greater offer in renewable energy equipment and a regular publication on related issues by the Energivie cluster.

Time period: 2003-2005 and 2007-2013
EU Contribution: 1,900,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Energivie Project (In French)

The Laboratory of Reactivity and Chemistry of Solids (LRCS) at the Jules Verne University in Amiers is conducting a research about energy storing. This issue would be an important step to enhance the authonomy of electrical vehicles, providing them with onboard energy, and also to improve the efficiency of renewable energies storage. The LRCS forms part of a platform of institutes from 10 countries and it is coordinating a network of academic excellence that organices summer schools an a master course.It shares its expertise and equipment with related laboratories in Europe.

Time period: 2000-2006
Total Cost: 830,000 EUR
EU Contribution: 332,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- LRCS website

The Energiecompetenz Project, created by public and private associations, offers information and training about techniques, products and trends in low energy consumption through a “show” property built according to passive design principles. It is the Advice and Competence Centre and Training Centre.

Time period: September 2003 - November 2004
EU contribution: 62,354 EUR

This project called RegEnergy promotes the use of environmentally friendly and affordable heating through the production of policy guidelines and financial proposals, as well as with pilot projects and the sharing of the findings and best practices.
A web-based software tool enables policy-makers to easily look for innovative policy measures and financial solutions.

Time period: April 2005 - December 2007
EU contribution: 830,942 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- RegEnergy website

Innovating the Way Forward for Renewable Energy in Germany

EnergyAgency.NRW has been established in the German State North Rhine Westfalia, which is the most populated and the most important area in electricity generation in Germany. The agency has become a central point for energy efficiency and renewable energy issues by providing advice and training and boosting innovation among business, institutions, local authorities and general population. A mobile energy advice service and “The Mein Haus Spart” initiative that promotes energy efficiency in buildings are some of its projects.

Time period: January 2002 to December 2007
EU contribution: 6,310,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- EnergyAgencyNRW

This "Longlife Project" aims to conduct a comparative review among the environmental considerations for buildings that are in place in Denmark, Germany, Lithuania and Poland to produce guidelines with the best practices, techniques and institutional structures. It will result in new, innovative and higher standards in energy efficiency, resource-saving buildings and low lifecycle costs
These guidelines will be used to build a prototype “green” residential building, and will be also suitable for use in another kinds of buildings.

Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Belarus, through 15 partners of different sectors will work together to improve the energy efficiency and to do sustainable rehabilitation of existing residential areas of the Baltic Region. The Urb.Energy project aims to encourage greater use of renewable energy, offer innovative funding schemes for related activities, and introduce strategies for integrated urban development, including guidelines and manuals. A work package coordination team will play a leadership role to oversee progress to ensure that all project partners work towards the same goal.

Time Period: 2009-2012
EU contribution: 2,900,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Urb.Energy Project Website

The Alterenergy Project aims to promote energy sustainability in the Adriatic Communities, by raising awareness among local communities, analyzing the energy balance in these communities and finally developing together with the participation of citizens and local economical operators an energy sustainability plan for each of these communities. Business meetings are also expected and a study with specific energy actions will be carried out ending with the implementation of pilot projects and demonstrative actions that will serve as reference models for all the Adriatic area. Regions involved: Puglia region, Adriatic Italian regions, Slovenia, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro.

Time period: 2007-2013
Total project cost: 12,499,600 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Leading partner: Puglia Region. See its website (in Italian).

Urban Homes Turn Green in Baltic Sea Region (URB.ENERGY)

Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Belarus, through 15 partners of different sectors will work together to improve the energy efficiency and to do sustainable rehabilitation of existing residential areas of the Baltic Region. The Urb.Energy project aims to encourage greater use of renewable energy, offer innovative funding schemes for related activities, and introduce strategies for integrated urban development, including guidelines and manuals. A work package coordination team will play a leadership role to oversee progress to ensure that all project partners work towards the same goal.

Time Period: 2009-2012
EU contribution: 2,900,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Urb.Energy Project Website

# LITHUANIA / # POLAND

Urban Homes Turn Green in Baltic Sea Region (URB.ENERGY)

Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Belarus, through 15 partners of different sectors will work together to improve the energy efficiency and to do sustainable rehabilitation of existing residential areas of the Baltic Region. The Urb.Energy project aims to encourage greater use of renewable energy, offer innovative funding schemes for related activities, and introduce strategies for integrated urban development, including guidelines and manuals. A work package coordination team will play a leadership role to oversee progress to ensure that all project partners work towards the same goal.

Time Period: 2009-2012
EU contribution: 2,900,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Urb.Energy Project Website

Construction Industry Goes Green with Building Standards

Time period: 2009-2012
EU contribution: 1,900,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Link to the Longlife Project

# NETHERLANDS

Boosting the Energy Sector

The Energy Valley Foundation is a platform for both public and private organisations that works in retaining and expanding existing business activities in the energy sector; promoting the use of sustainable energy; developing the knowledge infrastructure in the energy sector, and monitoring the compatibility and connections between the various initiatives supported. It has great knowledge in the areas of natural gas, heating, cooling, climate control, and wind, solar, geo- and bio-energy.

Time period: 2000-2008
EU contribution: 2,150,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Energy Valley Foundation

# ROMANIA

Turning Alternative Energy Use into Conventional Practice

This project aims to stimulate the installation of alternative energy systems through the establishment of micro regional centers in the cross border area between Hungary and Rumania. It examines the possibilities of using the resources available to produce renewable energy, especially thermal, solar and bioenergy. It focus in raising awareness among local people and organisations and in the development of innovative solutions.

Time frame: 2007-2008
EU Contribution: 830,000,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Website of the City of Morahalon , where it has been built a Renewable Energy Information Centre

Rehabilitating the District Heating System in Oradea

The project aims to rehabilitate the existing urban heating plants and heat supply networks in Oradea municipality (supplying to 141000 inhabitants, 70% or Oradea) to reduce emissions and increase its energy efficiency. It will be done by the construction of more equipment and the rehabilitation of the existing network by: the installation of a co-generation unit with a gas turbine and heat recovery boiler in order to reduce NOx, SO2 and dust emissions by phasing-out the use of lignite and increasing energy efficiency. It will bring the heat system in line with EU requirements.

Time frame: 2007-2013
Total project cost: 77,700,000 EUR
EU Contribution: 38,900,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Ministry of Environment and Forests

The Rehabilitation of the District Heating System in Iasi Municipality

The Project consists in rehabilitate the existing heating plants and heat supply networks in Iasi municipality to reduce NOx, SO2, CO2 and dust emissions in order to reach the EU requirements for reducing air pollution. It will also improve the energy efficiency therefore reducing the primary energy consumption and the reduction of GHG emissions. The existing heating system supply 158,000 inhabitants, 51% of Iasi population.

Time frame: 2007-2013
Total project cost: 61,237,712 EUR
EU Contribution: 30,618,856 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website:Link
- Ministry of Environment and Forests

Heating System for Clean Living in Timisoara

The town of Timisoara wants to upgrade its district heating systems to comply with EU regulation about emissions and to improve its energy efficiency limiting its primary energy consumption. To achieve this goal it is planned to install a desulphurisation unit and retrofitting of eight pumps, and boilers among other measures. The existing heating system supplies 224,360 inhabitants, more than 70% of Timisoara's population.

Time frame: 2007-2013
Total project cost: 58,346,700 EUR
EU Contribution: 27,131,200 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Ministry of Environment and Forests

Limiting Urban System’s Heat Losses

The aim is to upgrade the existing district heating systems to comply with EU legislation about limit emissions and to improve energy efficiency of its heating system, which has excessive heat losses and a low efficiency in the transport and distribution networks. The existing heating system supplies to 66700 inhabitants, almost a half of the Bacau population.

Time frame: 2007-2013
Total project cost: 63 197 300 EUR
EU Contribution: 31 598 600 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Ministry of Environment and Forests

# SPAIN

The Best Energy is Energy which is Not Used

In 2000, the national centre for renewable energy (CENER) was created in Pamplona, Spain. The Center is a bio climatic building with everything required to conduct research and development activities related to wind power, solar energy (thermal and photovoltaic), biomass energy, bio climatic architecture, electronics and power electronics, and the use of hydrogen for energy storage. It aims to promote the development of renewable energy disseminating knowledge and supporting public institutions, and to boost the competitiveness of businesses through applied research and technology transfer, service provision and specific projects.

Time period: 2000-2006
Total Project cost: 15,600,000 EUR
ERDF: 2,800,000 EUR

More information on the European Commission regional policy website (Link) as well as in the CENER website here.

Andalucia Reaches for an A+ in Sustainable Energy

"Andalucia A+" is a program that promotes the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency. It funds projects covering a wide range of initiatives related to energy savings, improvements of energy efficiency and renewable energies. It has been very successful, with a simple application procedure to encourage citizen participation. It has helped to make Andalusia the leading region in Spain in terms of thermal solar energy.

Time period: 2007-2013
Total Project cost: 480,000,000 EUR
EU Contribution:113,167,159 EUR

More information on the European Commission regional policy website: Link and in the Andalusian Energy Agency here.

Engineering Renewables to Power Growth

National Renewable Energy Centre (NAREC) aims to develop renewable energy systems, such as a 100 m offshore wind turbine, and to create a low carbon economy in the region by the construction of a space for research and development for renewable energy and supporting the development of and assisting small and medium enterprises with this focus and encouraging micro-renewable uptake.

Time period: 2007-2013
Total Project Cost: 25,608,600 EUR
EU Contribution: 11,651,300 EUR

SCOTLAND

Centre for Green Approach to Energy

The Scottish European Green Energy Centre (SEGEC) was created in 2009. It is a non profit and independent organization in Scotland that tries to facilitate innovative, collaborative, low-carbon, infrastructure projects in the areas of marine, CCS (carbon capture storage), renewable heat, grids, offshore wind and energy efficiency. Thus it engages with institutions, networks, technology platforms, identify opportunities of collaboration with industry sectors and influence policy agendas.

Time period: 2007-2013
Total Project Cost: 2,895,900 EUR
EU Contribution: 1,303,100 EUR

More information on the European Commission regional policy website and in the SEGEC centre