Content of June 2006 issue of Renewable Energy Bulletin

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This issue contains materials from two Round Tables on renewable energy held in Moscow in March and May 2006.

INTERNATIONAL ROUND TABLE ON ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS

The Round Table was devoted to consideration of world and domestic experience of energy efficient buildings, either office, residential or industrial, and estimation of their prospects in Russia. It was organized by EU-Russia Technology Centre.

Its objectives were to share experience of practical implementation of energy efficiency projects in Russia and to discuss financing problems. Several energy efficiency projects were presented, including two energy efficient buildings in Moscow, heat-pump heated school in Yaroslavl region village and centralized boiler-house with heat pump taking its heat from centralized sewerage network in Zelenograd (Moscow region). Article contains review of the projects presented and their feasibility evaluation.

INTERNATIONAL SOLAR THERMAL ROUND TABLE

Current state and the future of solar thermal systems were discussed at the round table which was held in Moscow in May 2006. Despite northern location of Russia, Solar thermal systems can be efficiently used in several sunny regions, including South of Russia and Far East . Legal and economical situation in this area was discussed, several organizations presented their projects. It is evident that currently domestic market of solar thermal systems is not yet developed, though there are several domestic producers who gained significant experience in solar heating and solar hot water supply applications. Some experience is inherited from Soviet Union times, when solar thermal systems had government support. Common opinion of Round Table participants was that absence of such support is suppressing development of solar thermal market, as well as absence of RE law and high price of systems. Survey of some materials presented is offered in an article, together with the recommendations for EU-Russia Energy Dialog worked out by Round Table members.

THE RENEWABLE ENERGY HOUSE - EUROPE’S HEADQUARTERS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

New European Renewable Energy Council office, opened this year, is not just an office building. The new Renewable Energy House is the showcase for integration of renewable energy technologies in an old building, which was refurbished by taken into account energy efficiency and renewable energy considerations. The application of these measures enabled energy savings of almost 50% compared to a reference building. Wood pellet boiler, solar heating and cooling systems, heat pumps, photovoltaic systems are demonstrated and used in the building.

FILI ECOPARK

Fili ecopark was opened in 1994. It was aimed to test and demonstrate energy efficiency and RE technologies in city park facilities as well as to create an exhibition of Renewable Energy. City parks are well suited for RE due to several reasons.

Currently there are two model energy-efficient administrative buildings in Fili ecopark. The buildings are equipped with heat pumps, photovoltaic modules, small wind turbines. Continuous monitoring of energy consumption is implemented. Fili ecopark project is estimated as successful and it will be developed further. New energy efficient building is planned to construct with total area of 18,000 m2. This building will incorporate newest eco-friendly energy efficiency and RE technologies and serve as a permanent energy efficiency exhibition. This project is expected to be a prototype for energy efficiency exhibitions, which are planned to open in all Moscow city parks. Global mission of the project is to raise public’s awareness of sustainable energy development.

ECO-FRIENDLY HOUSE ON WATER SURFACE

Eco-friendly, energy efficient on-water house concept is considered. The floating house may have several advantages over the traditional one. Heat pump usage for heating and cooling is achieved easily as there is always a plenty of water – efficient, liquid heat carrier. Heat accumulators can be integrated with smaller expense than on land due to smaller loads on carrying frames. All traditional energy efficiency and RE measures can be integrated too. Two prototype floating houses are built and are being tested by author to verify the concept.

SOLAR HEAT SUPPLY IN RUSSIA AND, PARTICULARLY, IN KRASNODAR REGION: STATE AND PROSPECTIVES 16

USSR break-up and following harmful “reforms” destroyed successful planned, integrated, state-supported solar thermal industry in the country. Total area of solar collectors in use fell about 10 times over last several decades. Now there is about 6,300 m2 of solar collectors in Krasnodar Region, and about 10,000 m2 totally all over the Russia. After that hard years, local legislative support of solar heating is reestablished now and support of solar thermal system development is restored in Krasnodar region. Regional strategy of solar thermal systems development was created and confirmed. So, there are some conditions for solar thermal industry revival.

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