PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The use of biomass and solar energy in Slovakia remains low. This situation exacerbates the issue of air emissions from the combustion of solid fossil fuels, which mostly come from outside of Slovakia. This in turn increases the country’s dependence on import and limits employment in the energy sector.
More effective use of local renewable energy sources can create long-term jobs and strengthen the regional economy, especially in poorer areas. The potential for using local renewable energy sources in Slovakia is estimated to be 20% of the gross energy consumption for biomass and 5% for solar energy. Biomass would be a good source for heating and solar energy for heating and hot water.
BIOMASA´s experience in previous projects shows that less than 10% of the Slovakian public is adequately informed about the possibilities provided by biomass and solar power to meet their energy needs. In addition, cheap, low-quality fossil fuels are usually burned in inefficient locally owned stoves, furnaces and boilers without regard for fire safety, air emissions or related health effects.
In 2005 the European Union published the Biomass Action Plan to be implemented across Europe at all levels. The Government of the Slovak Republic has also developed a national Biomass Action Plan for 2014 - 2020, which points out the necessity of using locally sourced raw materials. With the project regular, the beneficiary BIOMASA wanted to promote these action plans through environmental education and dissemination, with a particular focus on the youngest generation.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the SMAPUDE_LIFE project was to increase awareness regarding the use of biomass and solar energy in Slovakia. Its concrete aims were:
RESULTS
During the SMAPUDE_LIFE project changes were made to fuel sources from fossil to biomass or solar energy were introduced in 6 546 buildings, significantly exceeding the 300 foreseen. This included 1 071 new biomass heating installations and 5 475 new solar panels. This in turn reduced the CO2 emissions by 32,984 tonnes hugely surpassing the original target of 20 000 tonnes.
The results of the final survey confirmed that the success of the project was due to its excellent dissemination and educational campaign. The survey showed that there was a significant increase in awareness about renewable energy sources in comparison with the baseline survey in 2013. The ratio of correct answers increased by 34% in participants from the general public, by 32% in participants from governmental bodies and the private sector (the original target was 30%), and by 57% in the group of students from secondary schools (the original target was an ambitious 50%).
The outreach of the dissemination campaign was much broader and more effective then foreseen. The beneficiary applied many innovative approaches and used a wide range of tools to attract the interest of experts and the general public. The Apollo Butterfly (Parnassius apollo) was chosen as a symbolic guide for the overall dissemination campaign because it is an indicator of good environmental status.
The focus on raising the awareness of the youngest generation through practical demonstrations of the technologies was very successful. The relocation of the key dissemination and educational events to Ekopark Drienova, where the participants could "see and touch" all the technologies promoted in one place, was certainly a key to this success. The use of animated fairy tales related to environment and climate change to get the children, their teachers and parents interested in sustainable development also proved to be a very effective tool. An innovative photo book was also produced documenting all the key project activities, approaches, methods and results. In total 1,397 participants from the general public and 661 experts and professionals participated in the events organised.
Some outputs of the dissemination and awareness raising campaign include:
School children were introduced to the topic by a series of three different fairy tales that were then all published on DVD and distributed to the schools together with an accompanying brochure. They are still being used today. In addition, six 7-day educational events looking at the use of biomass and solar energy were organised for school pupils during the summer holidays. In total 38 secondary schools joined the project’s "network of secondary schools", 313 students participated in an interactive contest on the project, 794 students participated in 45 lectures on renewable energy and 500 students attended additional presentations.
Many other events were also organised targeted at children and young adults. In total 3 070 students participated in project, 3 265 children were addressed at kindergartens and primary schools, 4 800 students at secondary schools and 360 university students.
The extent of the special events organised for professionals was also impressive. During the project 18 different events were organised and attended by almost 600 participants. There was such a high interest in the professional manual "Energy from Biomass and the Sun" that it had to be reprinted, thus confirming how interesting the topic was for both for experts and potential final users.
The Eco-cluster created during the project is an association of 18 organisations working in the area of renewable energy sources (RES), such as manufacturers of equipment; biomass producers; organisations promoting the use of biomass, solar energy and other RES; environmental educational organisations; non-profit organisations etc. It is part of a cooperation with the Austrian Oekoenergie Cluster and is their “regional office West”. A number of excursions were organised for members to other Eco-Clusters in Austria, the Czech Republic and Norway. Additional networking activities as well four training events for members were also carried out and an Eco-Cluster e-bulletin was published regularly.
BIOMASA was actively involved in the preparation of national and European policy papers on environmental policy during the project and intends to remain involved after the project finishes. Whilst the project was being implemented members of the project team participated in the preparation of the European Bioenergy Outlook 2014 and 2016 and in the EU directive on air quality (Clean Air Package) created by the Ministry of Environment.
As a follow-up and complementary project the beneficiary and its partner BIOPEL started a Biomass Logistics Centre (BLC) to build a clean and successful company with a high level of environmental sensitivity that will be beneficial for the region and its economy. Its main objective is the production and sale of wood biofuels with high quality and effectiveness. 29 new green jobs were created in connection with the establishment of the Centre.
BIOMASA’s efforts in the field of energy efficiency were internationally acknowledged when the business received the Energy Globe Award 2017 for SMAPUDE_LIFE.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).
