Category: news highlights

The REPLACE project is moving forward as planned. And as the project meeting on 30 June 2022 showed, a large number of the planned tools and activities have already been implemented to motivate people in the project regions to switch to renewable heating and cooling systems and save energy.

Among other things, all REPLACE training seminars, including some follow-up trainings, have already been implemented. Professionals in North Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia, Bulgaria and Slovenia received information on how to exchange heating systems in a climate-friendly way and how to support customers in saving energy. In Slovenia, another training is planned for September 2022.

Another topic was the implementation of collective actions that reach a particularly large number of customers at the same time. In addition to local heating networks in Germany or a biomass logistic hub in Spain, the partner in Northern Macedonia is planning to launch the joint purchase of inverter heat pumps and PV in a group of flats with the help of a pre-feasibility study. In Austria, for the first time a web-based one-stop-shop was developed and since mid-July facilitates a simple switch from fossil fueled systems to renewable-based and district heating systems.

Finally, the current high energy prices were also a topic of the meeting. On the one hand, they increase the desire for energy self-sufficiency, for example through heat pumps and solar thermal energy. At the same time, the rise in prices can also make the switch more difficult, as for example the partners from Bosnia and Bulgaria reported, where the rise in the price of pellets is slowing down the climate-friendly exchange of heating systems. Other countries are also facing similar challenges. In both cases, REPLACE tools and activities help to steer the efforts of heating system replacement in a more sustainable direction.

In May, the EU portal BUILD UP focused on how to reduce energy consumption in buildings. The REPLACE webinar on 31.5.2022 on the phase-out of fossil fueled heating systems was a perfect fit and took place in cooperation with the EU portal BUILD UP and the HARP project.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.