Category: news highlights

About the webinar

Half of Europe’s energy consumption is used for heating and cooling (H&C). However, two thirds of the heating systems installed in European buildings are inefficient.

In order to achieve climate neutrality, the decarbonisation of the space heating and cooling in residential sector is therefore essential.

The REPLACE project partners are pleased to invite you to the webinar “Towards Renewable Heating & Cooling: Replacement of Inefficient Systems in the Residential Sector” to present the key findings of the project and discuss the framework conditions for replacement, exchanging old conventional fossil fuel systems with renewable ones.

This webinar is an excellent opportunity to learn how the phase-out of fossil-based heating systems can be brought forward in the European agenda and to find out more about modern renewable technologies. 

In collaboration with the BUILD UP Portal, we invite you for discussions on how renewable energy at home can contribute to Europe’s energy transition, while empowering consumers in their energy choices.

Continue reading “Webinar | Towards Renewable Heating & Cooling: Replacement of Inefficient Systems in the Residential Sector”

As the COVID-19 pandemic measures loosened up, a follow-up training seminar as a physical event was organized in April 2022. Previously two online training seminars were held in September and December, 2021. The need for such an activity was more that obvious, as the participants were eager to hear more about the materials and tools, moreover to exchange knowledge and have more fruitful discussions in person.

The follow-up training seminar for intermediaries and investors was organized in Skopje on 18.04.2022 as a full day event. It was attended by around 25 participants covering all the target groups. The training was divided in three parts, 2 sessions and panel discussion with a practical workshop, followed by conclusions and recommendations for future work.

Continue reading “Follow-up training seminar in KAGoP region”

In the past two months, REPLACE project team members from the Sarajevo Canton region held two meetings of the local working group with the aim of defining the further course of project activities with a focus on campaign activities to replace inefficient heating systems. Meetings were held in the municipalities of Ilijaš and Novo Sarajevo.

Continue reading “Spring is the time for action to sustainably replace the heating systems”

District heating systems can be a good lever for climate protection and for becoming independent of oil and gas. On 25 February, around 60 participants, including mayors, architects and energy consultants, learned what to consider when planning district heating systems at an online event organised by Energiewende Oberland in the EU-funded heating transition project REPLACE.

Almost half of the energy in the Bavarian Oberland is used for heating, 44% of it in private households. As Stefan Drexlmeier from Energiewende Oberland (EWO) reported at the event on 25 February, district heating systems are an ideal way to supply entire streets with climate-friendly heat in addition to replacing individual heating systems, and at the same time to make oneself independent of fluctuating energy prices and oil and gas supplies from abroad. District Administrator Anton Speer (Garmisch-Partenkirchen district) also emphasised in his welcoming address that regional supply from own products is becoming increasingly important and pointed out, among other things, the supply of three Murnau schools by forest residues.

Continue reading “Self-sufficient and climate friendly heating in the Bavarian Oberland, Germany – Information event on district heating systems and for future heat suppliers”

In the morning program of Sarajevo Television (TV SA), we had the opportunity to discuss the REPLACE project and the activities carried out within the campaign to replace old and inefficient heating systems with alternatives on renewable energy sources.

The audience was introduced to how they can also participate in REPLACEMENT activities in Sarajevo Canton and thus become ambassadors of positive change and contribute to environmental protection. Some activities in which citizens can take part include 6 techno-economic feasibility studies for households, REPLACE info hubs where residents of Sarajevo Canton can get information about replacement options, alternatives available on the market and other useful information.

Citizens who have already replaced their heating systems can participate in the 100% renewable heating campaign, and also can apply to host the activity “open house events” where they would share their experience with visitors regarding the replacement and transition to the use of renewable energy sources. As part of this activity, gifts will be provided for the hosts.

Continue reading “About the REPLACEMENT of heating systems on Sarajevo Television”

The Municipality of Ilijaš provides great support to the activities within the REPLACE project in the Sarajevo Canton region and is conducting a significant media campaign to spread the news about the project to as many of their residents. For that purpose, a radio interview was organized with the representatives of the project team on REPLACE info hub, which was set up in the premises of this municipality from January 31 to 7. You can listen to the whole interview on the recording below.

“The European project REPLACE explored the challenges and solutions associated with switching to more sustainable options for heating and cooling.”

https://www.buildup.eu/en/practices/publications/making-heating-and-cooling-sustainable-barriers-solutions-and-best-practices

On Saturday, 22 January 2022, four operators of district heating systems in the Oberland opened their doors. Interested imitators were able to ask questions about planning, construction and operation and received practical tips. The action took place in cooperation between deputy regional farmer Christine Singer from Hofheim and the EU-funded heating exchange project REPLACE of Energiewende Oberland.

In Antdorf, Johann Schweyer Sr. has already cleared the snow on the way to the heating house. Inside you can see the district heating system, which has been reliably supplying heat to four houses with a total of twelve households since 2009. What motivated them to build it? How do the operators monitor their systems? And what tips do they have for imitators? In addition to the Schweyer family, operators from Habach (Strobl and Kennerknecht families), Leibersberg (Georg Miller) and Hofheim (Singer family) took part in the campaign and answered questions.

All four district heating families have farms and at the same time act as heat suppliers for the neighbouring houses. As Josef Schweyer jun. from Antdorf reports, they can thus bring in their own wood for the woodchip heating system and thus also generate added value for their own farm. The reason for building the system in Antdorf was the planning of further buildings in the same street and thus the idea of a joint heat supply. In the case of the Singer family in Hofheim, it was the thought of ageing and the desire to use a simpler heating technology than logs. In conversation with the neighbours, the district heating system for all came about by chance. And for Markus Kennerknecht from Habach, the advantage of a communal heating system is clear: “With a district heating system, people don’t need to buy oil or pellets, and the smell of oil in the cellar is gone.”

Continue reading “Affordable and Climate-Friendly Heating in the Oberland – Four District Heating Systems Introduce Themselves”

When: 08.04.2022, from 13:30 to 16:00

Where: Online

About the workshop:

Half of Europe’s energy consumption is used for heating and cooling (H&C). However, two thirds of the heating systems installed in European buildings are inefficient.
In order to achieve climate neutrality, the decarbonisation of the space heating and cooling in residential sector is therefore essential.

The REPLACE project partners are pleased to invite you to the event “Towards Renewable Heating & Cooling: Replacement of Inefficient Systems in the Residential Sector” to present the key findings of the project and discuss the framework conditions for replacement, exchanging old conventional fossil fuel systems with renewable ones.

This event is an excellent opportunity to learn how the phase-out of fossil-based heating systems can be brought forward in the European agenda and to find out more about modern renewable technologies. The event will also provide the chance to engage with key policymakers, industry and end-users representatives on the potential and challenges of renewable H&C solutions in buildings. We invite you for discussions on how renewable energy at home can contribute to Europe’s energy transition, while empowering consumers in their energy choices.

Registration: please, register to the European Energy Efficiency Conference in order to have access to the REPLACE workshop (participation is free of charge by selecting the option “Innovation Workshops”)

Continue reading “Towards Renewable Heating & Cooling: Replacement of Inefficient Systems in the Residential Sector”