PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The EU’s ‘climate and energy package’ became legally binding in 2009 and included targets for Member States to reduce CO2 emissions by 2020. Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources is promoted as a key mechanism to help achieve such targets. Polish targets for increased renewable energy uptake mean that the country is obliged to ensure that 15% of gross final energy consumption will be produced from renewable sources by 2020. This target remains feasible since Poland has a strong potential for generating renewable energy. Analysts suggest Poland could, by 2050, be sourcing as much as 48% of its energy from renewable sources. However, supply and demand for renewable energy in Poland currently remains restricted by, amongst other things, a lack of awareness about renewable energy and a lack of tools for facilitating uptake.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the OZERISE project was to demonstrate an innovative rural development model to help farmers increase production of renewable energy for localised uses, via technologies including biogas, wind and solar power; whilst also carrying out actions to better understand how to reduce overall energy consumption on farm holdings and in farm households. The aim was to test a territorial planning methodology, to create a cluster of farms that are willing to work together to pilot an integrated set of tools for energy management and production. ICT approaches were planned to coordinate, monitor, advise and steer the cluster members’ energy activities. The project aimed to establish a replicable model for the set-up and running of sustainable micro-energy grids in rural areas. These grids will be capable of producing local socio-economic and environmental benefits which in turn contribute to climate action targets at national, European and global levels.
RESULTS
OZERISE promoted the development of renewable energy sources and smart energy grids in agriculture and in rural areas. It did this through the development of online tools to assist farmers in making investment decision on renewable energy installations and to help optimise their energy consumption.
The project generated new knowledge about the energy consumption profile of various types of farms, taking into account local weather conditions. This information was derived from energy consumption and meteorological monitoring data on ten demonstration farms, with different agricultural activities (e.g. pig farming, orchard with field crops, organic flour production). Prior to the project, such detailed information had not been available.
From their collected data, the project team created an advisory system for farmers in order to assist farmers and installers in selecting the optimal combination of renewable energy sources (RES) to be installed on farms, in terms of technical capacity and financial profitability. The advisory system is composed of an online RES calculator and an installations database. Both tools are accessible on the project website (www.ozerise.pl). The calculator enables optimal parameters to be chosen for the installation of combinations (hybrid systems) of six RES installations (small wind turbines, photovoltaic systems, biomass boilers, solar panels, micro biogas plants, and heat pumps). In addition to the technical and economic characteristics of each technology, the calculator also takes into account the current legal requirements and existing financial support schemes available. The database can be used as a separate source of information about micro- and small RES installations available on the market. It provides information on equipment suppliers and recommended installers, and on around 1 000 products offered by over 100 manufacturers.
The project promoted its online tools among potential users and investors, through its website and other media (e.g. a series of radio programmes). A group of 60 installers were trained to be able to design integrated (hybrid) systems that are adjusted to the needs of individual farms. In addition, the project beneficiaries prepared individual feasibility studies - a technical documentation on the most suitable RES installations - for each farm involved in the project.
Project outcomes help create the conditions that can lead to environmental benefits. As farmers replace oil-based fuels with renewable energy, they will contribute to reductions in greenhouses gases and air pollution.
The actions taken and the results achieved are consistent with EU environmental and climate policy, in particular with the Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC). A range of socio-economic benefits may also arise from the project. Farmers in many Polish rural areas often face problems due to power deficit, for instance, which can be solved by stimulating the development of renewable energy sources and independent micro-grids. The uptake of this approach could also lead to reduced energy costs, due to increased energy efficiency and savings in buying electricity from the grid, so enhancing the competitiveness of agricultural production. New energy installations integrated within a micro-grid can improve the reliability of energy supplies, reduce energy poverty, and enable greater energy independence and energy security in rural areas. Local energy installations may also help create new jobs in rural areas. The need for tools and support for renewable energy sources and micro-grids encourages the development of a local entrepreneurial spirit, and can enhance social cooperation based on local micro-grids (e.g. energy cooperatives).
The project therefore lays the foundations for the future development of hybrid systems and micro-grids in rural areas, thus promoting more cost-efficient energy supplies and higher energy security. In particular, it demonstrated the potential benefits of more decentralised energy systems based on combined renewable energy sources.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).
