EnerBuilding

the project

2

Index

ENERBUILDING – The project 1

Index 2

1. ENERBUILDING Background 5

European context at the project submission 5

The EU’s commitments to fight the greenhouse effect 5

The European Directive 2002/91/EC 6

The Energy efficiency in private building 8

Justification of the project submission 10

The no-technological barriers to energy efficiency 10

2. ENERBUILDING 12

Strategic Objectives 12

Specific objectives 12

Activities 13

Expected results 13

Target group 14

3. Consortium 15

ADICONSUM 16

FIRE 18

APER 19

CLCV 20

3

ADEME 21

CECU 22

ESCAN 23

DECO 24

ADENE 25

Management 26

4. Results achieved 27

Guides 28

Software 31

Web site 33

Video 36

Mobile stand 37

Call center 38

Meetings in the schools 40

Seminars 40

Final Conference 40

5. Some technologies for energy efficiency 42

Replacing old boilers with condensing boiler 42

Low temperature underfloor heating 42

The thermoregulation and the heat accounting methodology 43

Solar panels 43

Geothermal energy and heat pump 44

Woody biomass boilers and fireplaces and pellet stoves 44

4

Thermal building insulation 45

6. Consclusions 46

Results of national assessment analysis 46

Links with other national / local initiatives 46

Follow-up, national / local initiatives + ENFORCE at European level 46

5

1. ENERBUILDING Background

European context at the project submission

The EU’s commitments to fight the greenhouse effect

The emissions generated by fossil fuels in order to satisfy the increasing global demand of energy, are

causing a dangerous world climate change. Global warming is happening due to the large amounts of

energy that people produce and use. As our energy needs grow, so does our dependency on fossil fuels (oil,

natural gas and coal). These fuels – all with high CO2 emissions – now account for some 80% of EU energy

consumption.

Climate change is happening faster than expected, and emissions are rising around the globe. Scientists

keep warning us that the world’s temperatures in this century might increase from a minimum of 1,3°C, in

case the current CO2 emissions will be shortly stabilized, up to a maximum of 4,3°C, in case the actions in

favour of reducing pollutant emissions will take more time to be stated. The consequences of such global

warming (desertification, migration, coastal submergence, etc.) are very alarming and might turn out to be

catastrophic. If we fail to stop the growing trend on energy consumption, we could seriously endanger our

planet.

The most important International Authorities are continuously asking to all the world States to be more

responsible. The EU is arguing for strong commitments from all governments to get emissions under

control and has agreed to cut its domestic emissions by 20% by 2020. In particular, in December 2008 the

EU adopted an integrated energy and climate change policy, including ambitious targets for 2020. It hopes

to set Europe on the right track - towards a sustainable future with a low-carbon, energy-efficient economy

by:

cutting greenhouse gases by 20% (30% if international agreement is reached)

reducing energy consumption by 20% through increased energy efficiency

meeting 20% of our energy needs from renewable sources.

The above mentioned goals are very challenging and require a great commitment from Member States to

be achieved. Nevertheless, it is very urgent to quickly intervene and find a new environment-friendly

equilibrium respectful of future generations’ rights.

6

Therefore, it is necessary to modify current habits and reduce energy consumptions not only for ethical and

social purposes (currently 28% of the whole world population is using 77% of the entire energy production,

while the remaining 72% is using only the residual 23%), but also for strategic and economic reasons: the

cost of the energy bill represents one of the most relevant costs for families. Furthermore in Europe most

of fossil fuels come from sources belonging to extra EU Countries (some of which politically unstable)

therefore with a high risk that in future some supplying might not be guaranteed.

It is necessary that all Member States commit themselves to realizing an energy revolution, aimed at

generating the major part of the necessary energy for life and development by renewable sources (sun,

wind, water, etc.). It is a strategic objective, to be achieved through a high persistence and a strong boost

to research and be supported by huge investments and energy policies, both at national and international

level.

Unfortunately, the above described process will require a lot of time to be accomplished thus for a long

time the percentage of energy generated by renewable sources will account for a little part of the whole

energy demand for both the consumption of Western Europe and the development of emerging Countries.

Therefore, during the next decades, the major part of cost-effective benefits will be achieved through

proper measures aimed at increasing energy efficiency with economic advantages. Energy Efficiency is the

first renewable source straight away available.

The European Directive 2002/91/EC

By adopting the Directive 2002/91/EC of 16 December 2002 on the energy performance of buildings, the

European Union intends to improve, within the EU, the energy performance of buildings, essential to meet

the requirements of the Protocol of Kyoto. It is fundamental that all Member States implement the

directive and undertake all the necessary measures to accomplish such goals.

Within Europe, the energy spent for residences, public buildings and services accounts for 40% of the final

energy consumption: a further 30% is wasted in transport, while the remaining 30% is to be referred to the

industrial energy consumption. As both the residential and the services sectors are currently expanding, the

related energy consumption and pollutant emissions are doomed to increase.

The Directive commits Members States to issue measures aimed at designing and realizing buildings,

heating and cooling installations in such a way that the amount of energy required will be lower.

In particular, the transposition of the Directive in Member States should regulate the energy efficiency by

reaching the following objectives:

7

1. To respect the minimum energy performance requirements, both for new buildings and for those

which are under major renovation. Such requirements must be illustrated in the energy

certification, calculated on the basis of a methodology that takes into account not only the building

caulking but also the cooling/ventilation installations and the use of renewable energy sources. The

energy certification, carried out by qualified and independent experts, should facilitate the creation

of an harmonized context for energy saving actions, by introducing more transparency in the

housing market for buyers or renters of the houses.

2. To intervene and improve the energy performance of existing buildings, even without a total

renovation of the building, by acquiring cost effective new energy equipments and installations for

buildings (boilers, windows or door-frames, thermoregulation, etc).

3. To promote the activity of the ESCOs, as an energy service company undertaking energy

investments and efficiently managing energy installations of buildings.

4. To encourage local Administrations to set an example by managing their public buildings in an

efficient way, taking environmental and energy considerations into account.

5. To highlight the importance of both thermoregulation and individual calculation of costs for

heating, air conditioning and hot water. In fact, such individual calculation could contribute to the

energy saving in the residential sector, as occupants would be able to regulate their own

consumption of heat and hot water, using energy in a virtuous way.

In order to ensure the effectiveness of the measures for energy efficiency, the Directive suggests that both

the certification of buildings, together with the related recommendations, and the position of new

installations for energy efficiency should be carried out by independent and qualified experts.

Finally, the Directive commits Member States to take the necessary measures to inform the users on the

different methods enhancing energy performance and the European Commission to assist Member States

in organizing information campaigns. The ENERBUILDING project had exactly the objective to inform and

create awareness amongst citizens on the European energy policies and strategies.

The Energy efficiency in private building

Energy consumption for heating and air conditioning accounts for an always increasing consumption: 68%

of energy consumption is used for such reasons (the remaining amount is used for hot water, cooking and

other electronic furniture).

8

Graph 1: Final energy consumptions in the main fields of use within residential sectors

Source: ENEA

heating

hot water

cooking

electricity

For example if in Italy no measures will be taken, the level of CO2 emissions in Italy is bound to increase

more and more, exceeding the limits set by the EU.

potential CO2 emissions in Italy from 1990 to 2015

Also the energy bill is doomed to increase: in 2015 the Italian energy bill could reach an amount of 80

billion euro.

Emissioni di CO2 dal sistema energetico in Italia al 2015

Scenario tendenziale

300

350

400

450

500

550

1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

Mt CO2

9

potential increase of energy bills from 2006 to 2015(billions of euro)

Moreover, it is to be considered that the energy efficiency in residential and public buildings is about 50%,

which means that the remaining energy is dissipated in waste and inefficiencies.

Taking into account all the above-mentioned points, the importance of improving energy efficiency building

throughout Europe becomes very clear.

Previsione di crescita della bolletta energetica nel 2015 (*)

(miliardi di euro)

50

60

80

2006 2010 2015

10

Justification of the project submission

The no-technological barriers to energy efficiency

Citizens, even if aware of both the environmental problems and the costs of energy bills, are not able to act

concretely. They are aware of the benefits of saving energy and using renewable sources, however lots of

barriers are currently obstructing energy investments, depriving them of the possibility to behave

differently.

The first huge barrier concerns the lack of accurate information to final customers (families, small

companies, local administrations, etc.). Normally, final customers are not able to understand what kind of

technologies, furniture or installations could improve energy efficiency in their apartments. In fact, each

building has its own energetic situation and requires personalized measures aimed at saving energy and

recovering the original investments in a few years.

The second relevant no-technological barrier regards the inadequacy of Local Administrations. Such

structures are supposed to set an example in public buildings management (schools, pools, elderly centres)

and also to innovate by issuing proper building codes for using the energy in a more balanced way,

however in many cases they represent negative models of waste and inefficiency.

Finally, the third barrier proceeds from the lack of attention paid from schools to energetic and

environmental problems. Actually, in fact, high schools students are generally interested in such topics, and

most of the teachers and directors would agree to discuss such issues at school. However, the lack of

knowledge, opportunities and suitable tools impedes the inclusion of these matters in the educational

programs.

Another barrier to energy investments concerns project managers (architects and engineers) and installers.

Generally, the former ones only design the building (or renovate the existing buildings) without including

neither proper installations for energy efficiency (high performance boilers, low temperature heating, co-

generation, environmental thermoregulation, heat accounting methodology, etc.), nor the use of the

available renewable sources (solar energy, biomass, small-hydraulic, micro-wind). Also the installers, when

asked to intervene on thermal systems, hardly ever propose the use of innovative technologies, principally

because they are not professionally up dated. The innovative technologies require a good background

knowledge (e.g. energy audit for buildings, proper technologies for solar energy and biomasses, etc.) as

well as a qualified after sale assistance, which currently is absolutely inadequate.

11

All the above mentioned barriers make it very difficult for final customers to properly evaluate the

economic, energetic and environmental benefits of all the available technological options. Normally, due to

the suppliers’ lack of knowledge, experience and - unfortunately - convenience, customers are offered only

one installation for pose, without any project of integration between different installations.

12

2. ENERBUILDING

Strategic Objectives

As mentioned, the ENERBUILDING project aimed at contributing to the overcoming of no-technological

barriers, which currently obstruct investments in proper technologies for the energy efficiency of buildings.

The project partners (as reported in the following paragraph) come from the Mediterranean area, where

buildings have similar construction methods and also similar problems regarding energy efficiency.

The project principal purpose was to disseminate, among families, local Administrations and students,

information and knowledge on the energy efficiency systems for buildings, in order to enable them to

invest in a logical and efficient way. Moreover, such investments have also a social relevance, by

contributing to creating new qualified jobs.

Specific objectives

The project actions and measures specifically aimed to:

1. Provide final customers with qualified and independent information, in order to make them aware

of the economic and environmental convenience of investments in energy efficiency, especially

during the next years, when the energy costs will increase more and more.

2. Provide Local Administrators with both the knowledge and the necessary tools for the efficient

management of public buildings (schools, pools, elderly centres, etc).

3. Increase the awareness of young students on energetic and environmental issues, outlining

possible solutions for saving energy and safeguarding the environment.

In general, an increased awareness of end users will orientate the market towards innovative energy

technologies and enable sector operators to acquire the necessary professional competence to suggest

solutions which are economically advantageous to users and efficient in the use of energy.

Activities

The proposed actions were:

1. Setting up a call center in each of the four partner countries to give assistance and advice to end users.

13

2. Designing a logo and creating a web site with different sections for each partner country.

3. Printing and disseminating practical guides in 4 languages on the measures and investments apt for the different building types so that users can find the equipment which is economically suitable for their houses.

4. Setting up a mobile exhibition stand and a video to be used during students meetings.

5. Organizing a press conference for the launch of the campaign in each country.

6. Organizing a Conference in Italy for the launch of the project.

7. Organizing 5 Conferences for the general public of consumers.

8. Organizing 7 workshops for local administrators.

9. Organizing 45 meetings with Secondary School students in all the countries involved.

10. Participating in 30 radio and TV broadcasts in all the partner countries.

11. Organizing a Final International Conference with the participation of the other countries of the Mediterranean Area (Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia and Greece).

Expected results

The main results expected from the project activities were:

a. The development of investments aimed at an increasing use of RES and RUE applications and technologies, in building and retrofitting of houses.

b. The promotion of new highly qualified employment in activities linked to RES and RUE applications.

c. The orientation of sector operators to acquire the necessary professional competence to propose efficient and economically advantageous solutions to the users.

d. The spreading of methodologies able to reproduce best practices in other partner countries.

Target group

Both the information campaign and the other different actions addressed:

- Citizens and families to inform them on the kind of installations to be used in their own apartments

through the preparation and distribution of proper information material, written and electronic, and to

easily point out the most suitable measures to be taken up through a software program helping

citizens, as well as local administrations, to carry out a self-energy audits of their buildings.

- Local Administrations to acquire useful information for the efficient management of public buildings

(schools, pools, elderly centres, etc) and also for the issuing of proper building codes enhancing the

energy efficiency and the use of renewable sources through the organization of specific events.

14

- High school students to increase their awareness and understand both energy and environmental

matters. During several meetings, high school students acquired lots information on new energy

technologies and also on the potential energy improvements when such technologies are

implemented.

15

3. Consortium

The project involved four Mediterranean Countries: ITALY, FRANCE, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL as:

They share similar climate conditions, infrastructure situation and energy needs.

They have similar non-technological barriers obstructing energy investments in private buildings.

By comparing their country situations, it would have been possible to identify best practices on the

technologies used and also on the legislative and financial resources for energy investments in

private buildings.

Within the project consortium, for each Country there was one Consumer Association, in order to ensure

that citizens would have been properly informed, and one or more experts, in order to technically validate

the actions planned by the project, as reported in the following table.

Participant name

Participant

short name

Country

ADICONSUM - Associazione Difesa Consumatori e Ambiente ADICONSUM Italy

FIRE - Federazione Italiana per l’uso razionale dell’Energia FIRE Italy

APER - Associazione Produttori Energia da Fonti Rinnovabili APER Italy

CLCV- Confederation de la Consommation, de Logement e du

Cadre de Vie

CLCV France

ADEME – French Environment and Energy Management Agency ADEME France

CECU - Confederation des Consumidores y Usuario CECU Spain

ESCAN, s.a. ESCAN Spain

DECO – Associacao Portuguesa para a Defesa do Consumido DECO Portugal

16

ADICONSUM

Full name ASSOCIAZIONE DIFESA CONSUMATORI E AMBIENTE

Nationality Italy

Description of field of

interest and activities

Adiconsum is a consumer association with over 70,000 members, created in 1987

by the initiative of CISL Trade Union. It is committed to consumer protection and

operates in full autonomy from political parties, the government and the Trade

Union itself. It is present in all the Italian Regions with 280 local offices which

provide to consumers information and advice. It is supported by the work of 35

full time operators, 105 part-time collaborators and hundreds of volunteers.

The activity of consumer protection is carried out by Adiconsum both by

promoting consumer interests within Italian and European institutions and by

providing individual advice and assistance services directly to citizens.

Adiconsum has a very active Energy and Environmental Department, which

carries out information and dissemination activities among consumers on the

available technologies for energy saving and RES (most of which co-funded by the

European Commission), and ensures its representation in the main private and

public bodies dealing with such issues. Adiconsum has, in fact, constantly

participated in the Italian Energy Authority’s public hearings, making proposals on

a series of issues, has steady direct and indirect relationships with the Ministry of

Economics, with Enel, the main Italian provider of electricity, Italgas, the main

Italian provider of gas.

Adiconsum publishes a weekly magazine of information and documentation on

17

consumption, services and environment, periodically enriched by monographic

issues on specific matters, practical guidelines for consumers, informative

brochures for the self-protection of consumers and monographic CD ROMs.

The Internet Site www.adiconsum.it offers wide and up-to-date collection of

information and news about all the consumption sectors to which Adiconsum is

committed, a presentation of Adiconsum initiatives (meetings, seminars, press

conferences, etc.), the last issues of its publications, on line counselling services

and online subscription to Adiconsum.

Internet web site www.adiconsum.it

Contact details

Name, Surname

(role):

Telephone number:

Fax number

Email address:

Full address:

Pieraldo Isolani (Responsible of the Energy and Environment Sector)

+39 – 06 — 45550562

+39 - 06 - 45550560

Pieraldo.isolani@adiconsum.it

Via Lancisi 31

00161 ROMA

Italy

18

FIRE

Full name Federazione Italiana per l’uso Razione dell’Energia

Nationality Italy

Description of field of

interest and activities

FIRE (Italian Federation for Rational use of Energy) is a non-profit organization

established in 1988 to promote energy efficiency. Its founder members were

ENEA - Italian Agency for New technologies, Energy and the Environment - and

other relevant organizations, which were active in the field of rational use of

energy. FIRE is mainly financed through its members which presently are more

than 500, to whom the Federation offers many services in order to keep them up-

to-date about the energy market and the energy legislation. The primary goal of

FIRE is to promote energy efficiency, mainly through the provision of operational,

technical and scientific support to its members and to energy managers.

FIRE organizes workshops, training courses, working groups on specific topics

(e.g. cogeneration, energy supply contracts, buildings, power quality, etc), and

cooperates with the institutional public bodies involved in the energy sector and

with association and research centers.

Internet web site www.fire-italia.org

Contact details

Name, Surname

(role):

Telephone number:

Fax number

Email address:

Dario di Santo (General Manager)

+39 0630483626

+39 0630486449

disanto@fire-italia.org

19

Full address:

Via Flaminia, 441 00198 Roma, Italy

20

APER

Full name ASSOCIAZIONE PRODUTTORI ENERGIA DA FONTI RINNOVABILI

Nationality ITALY

Description of field of

interest and activities

Founded in 1987, APER gathers and represents the electricity Producers from renewable sources with the aim to protect their rights and promote their interests in Italy and worldwide. APER is the main Italian association of electricity producers from renewable sources and one of the largest in Europe for the number of members and installed power. At present its members are more than 450. APER is the voice and the reference for professionals in the hydroelectric, wind, photovoltaic and bioenergy sectors.

APER MISSION:

1.REPRESENTATION AND PROTECTION of energy producers from RES in European and National Institutions as well as Regional Councils in the definition of the regulations with the aim to promote the sector development 2. CONTINUOUS UPDATE AND ASSISTANCE to the members about the normative analysis, authorization procedures for the implementation of RES power plants, the way to access the electricity market and incentive system 3. TRAINING AND INFORMATION

Internet web site www.aper.it

Contact details

Name, Surname

(role):

Telephone number:

Fax number

Email address:

Full address:

Marco Pigni – Director

+39 02 6692673

+39 02 67490140

pigni@aper.it

Via Pergolesi, 27 – 20124 Milano

21

CLCV

Full name Consumer protection housing quality of life - CLCV

Nationality French

Description of field of

interest and activities

CLCV is a non governemental organization that acts as un umbrella for 400 local

consumers’ associations. Founded 58 years ago buy people who wanted to

improve the living conditions at the time and were prepared to strive in order to

secure the protection of consumers’ right. As a campaign organization, CLCV’s

action fits into our aim of tostering compliance with sustainable development

principles in production, distribution and consumer behavior, and turning

consumers into leading player of this trend.

We lobby politicians, the government and the various institutions set up by

authorities to tap into the opinions of consumers’ associations about the policies

that implement and in order to foster dialogue between the various economic

players in society.

Internet web site www.clcv.org

Contact details

Name, Surname

(role):

Telephone number:

Fax number

Thierry SANIEZ

00 19 01 56 54 32 81

t.saniez@clcv.org

22

Email address:

Full address:

17 rue Monsieur 75007 Paris - France

23

ADEME

Logo

Full name

Nationality

Description of field of

interest and activities

Internet web site

Contact details

Name, Surname

(role):

Telephone number:

Fax number

Email address:

Full address:

24

CECU

Full name CONFEDERACIÓN DE CONSUMIDORES Y USUARIOS

Nationality Spain

Description of field of

interest and activities

CECU is a Confederation founded in 1983; it is formed by independent

associations from different Autonomous Communities of the country. The

Confederation’s headquarters are in Madrid and Valencia.

Its main activity is to represent consumers in bodies such as those forming part of

public institutions in which consumers are represented at national and

international level. CECU carries out consumer information and education

campaigns (speeches, seminars, training courses, publications, reports,

conferences etc.), collaborates in institutional campaigns of national and

European Community origin and is involved in consumer protection (counselling,

processing claims, judicial actions, out of court actions, mediation and arbitration

at national, regional and local level).

CECU is a full member of BEUC (the European Association of Consumers) and a

full member of Consumers International, – and past member of the Council – the

International umbrella for consumer associations.

CECU is a member of the Consejo de Consumidores y Usuarios - CCU (Spanish

National Consumer Council) and represents this body at the European Consumer

Consultative Group (ECCG) and at the General Assembly and Steering Committee

of ANEC (European Association for the Co-ordination of Consumer

Representation in Standardisation).

Internet WEB site www.cecu.es

Name, Surname Conchy Martin Rey (International Relations Director)

25

(role):

Telephone number:

Fax number

Email address:

Full address:

00(34) 91 364 13 84

00(34) 91 366 90 00

cecu@cecu.es

Mayor, 45, 2º

28013 Madrid - Spain

26

ESCAN

Full name ESCAN, S.A.

Nationality SPAIN

Description of field of

interest and activities

ESCAN is a Spanish Consulting focused on energy and environmental projects and

studies. It was created in 1989 and it is independent of any commercial group.

The activities are implemented in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable

energy sources in buildings and industries at local, national and European level.

Energy audits in industries, office buildings and libraries are performed for public

institutions and private sector.

Management and participation in numerous of conferences, courses, seminars

and workshops.

Technical assistance in several programmes about energy efficiency in other

countries, i.e. Honduras, Ecuador, Nicaragua, etc. and North Africa: Tunez,

Algeria.

Internet web site escan@escansa.com

Contact details

Name, Surname

(role):

Telephone number:

Fax number

Francisco Puente Rivas – Director

Margarita Puente Salve

3491-3232643

3491-3234203

27

Email address:

Full address:

escan@escansa.com

Avenida Ferrol 14

28029 Madrid, Spain

28

DECO

Full name DECO Associação Portuguesa para a Defesa do Consumidor

Nationality Portugal

Description of field of

interest and activities

DECO the Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection is a non-profit organization

created in 1974 with aim of promoting the legitimate interests and rights of consumers.

Acquiring experience and increasing the nucleus of its founding members, DECO

established itself as a powerful institution within the Portuguese society, with

approximately 444 000 members. DECO is an institution of public interest, a status which

it acquired in 1978. Besides being represented in numerous entities as well as in a

number of organizations at a national and European level, DECO has six regional

delegations (Viana do Castelo, Porto, Coimbra, Santarem, Évora and Faro) to ensure that

all consumers have access to our services.

DECO – the Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection, an organization with over

30 years experience in the pursuit of its primary objective: the promotion of the

legitimate interests and rights of consumers, and thus diversifying its actions and

developing adequate activities for this effect: To provide information to consumers

regarding products and services in the market (characteristics, functions, quality, security,

prices, etc.) via its periodical publications “Proteste”, “Test Saúde” and “Dinheiro &

Direitos”. Besides these, DECO also edits specific publications concerning consumer

themes and developing information campaigns regarding more pressing questions (with

the production of leaflets, brochures, posters, etc.); To assist or support consumers in

the resolution of consumer conflicts, by providing explanations and informing consumers

of their rights, either via our respective call centre, in writing or in person , in Lisbon as

well as in one of our six regional delegations; To mediate consumer conflicts between

consumers and entities with the aim of resolving these conflicts, and denouncing or

informing the relevant public authorities; towards ensure consumer rights, and

demanding the adoption of the necessary legislation and its compliance and control; To

promote consumer education in schools for the training of young critical, responsible

and participative consumers as well as providing life long consumer education for the

development of capacities or abilities that will enable consumers to act in a competitive,

innovative and global market; To promote Professional training which will enable

29

professionals from several sectors, during the execution of their activities, guarantee and

respect consumer rights (lawyers, judges, technicians and company directors); To

represent and safeguard the rights and the legitimate interests of consumers with

partners from the public administration and from a number of national, European and

international entities. DECO is also affiliated to “Bureau Européen des Unions de

Consommateurs” (BEUC) and Consumers International (CI), as well as maintaining

partnerships with several dozens of other entities or associations alike in other countries.

Internet web site www.deco.proteste.pt

Contact details

Name, Surname

(role):

Telephone number:

Fax number

Email address:

Full address:

Jorge Morgado

Secretary-General

351 21 371 02 13

351 21 371 02 99

jmorgado@deco.pt

Rua Artilharia Um, n.º 74, 4.º

1269-160 Lisboa

30

ADENE

Full name ADENE – Agência para a Energia

Nationality Portugal

Description of field of

interest and activities

ADENE – Agência para a Energia is a non-profit organisation with administrative

and financial autonomy established in September 9, 2000 by the Portuguese

Ministry of the Economy (Decree Law no. 223/2000), and modified by a new

Decree Law (no. 314/2001) of December 10. As stated in these legal documents,

ADENE succeeds and builds on the experience of Centro para a Conservação de

Energia (CCE) and a new mission is assigned: “to promote activities of public

interest in the energy area and the interface with other sector policies”.

ADENE’s intervention is focussed on activities of public interest in the fields of

energy policy and public service to the energy sector. The Agency is also able to

act in relevant areas for other sectorial politics, when related to the energy policy

and in close cooperation with the competent public entities. ADENE develops its

activity for the benefit of different economic sectors in order to improve their

energy efficiency, to adopt new energy management systems and to introduce

new technologies. For those purposes, ADENE has the support of public entities

and specialised market actors.

Since 2008, Adene is responsible for the monitoring of the Action Plan for Energy

Efficiency (PNAEE), approved by the Council of Ministers Resolution 80/2008. On

the other hand ADENE is the managing body for this National System for Energy

and Indoor Air Quality Certification of Building’s (SCE).

Internet web site www.adene.pt

Contact details

Name, Surname

Alexandre Fernandes - General Director

31

(role):

Telephone number:

Fax number

Email address:

Full address:

e-mail: alexandre.fernandes@adene.pt

Rua Dr. António Loureiro Borges, nº 5 - 6º andar

Arquiparque – Miraflores, 1495-131 ALGÉS, Portugal

Tel.: (+351) 214 722 800 Fax: (+351) 214 722 898

geral@adene.pt

32

Technical Management

In order to ensure an high authoritativeness of all the actions and measures taken while carrying out the

project, a Scientific Committee, composed of representatives and qualified experts (coming from

universities, public bodies and firms) for each partner, was established. During the project, such Committee

played a role of supervision on all the information, technical proposals and activities carried out by the

project, strengthening its independence and transparency.

In fact, every single message transmitted to the final consumer contained and reflected:

an high level of technical-scientific trustworthiness,

proper evaluations on the economic convenience of the measures taken, which allow, within a

reasonable period of time, to recover the cost of the investments done,

independency from any specific interests of industrial businessman and energy suppliers.

The latter statement is of particular importance, considering that final consumers can receive, from mass

media and advertising, very different commercial information offered by firms who, essentially, just want

to promote their products.

Moreover, four Working Groups, each composed of representatives of partner States, have been organized,

in order to deepen the technical characteristics of the following type of buildings: condo buildings, one-

family residences, public buildings and residential buildings of new construction. Furthermore, the four

Working Groups also checked and settled the technical-scientific aspects of the measures adopted, the

efficiency of each energy technology and the validity of the information campaign material.

Such Groups carried out their activity through seminarial sessions, allowing participants not only to share

their own experiences but also to disseminate the best practices achieved by producing technical and

information material.

33

4. Results achieved

The project carried out several joined and coordinated actions to overcome the non-technological barriers

obstructing energy investments in private buildings. The efficient use of the energy, together with the

exploitation of local renewable sources, has been promoted through communication actions and practical

assistance to consumers, supplied with technical, economical and legislative details. These actions allowed

citizens and local administrations to receive convenient and energy efficient solutions for their buildings.

The project actions consisted of:

information campaigns addresses to citizens, aimed at issuing and distributing guides and

suggestions on the self-energy audits of buildings;

several meetings with High Schools students, to sensitize them on the current energy and

environmental problems. Students have been showed an introductory video on such matters and

conducted to a proper Energybus supplied with energy installations.

lots of Public Events (Meetings, Workshops, Information Desks, etc.) addressed to citizens, energy

operators and local administrations;

continuous relations with media, through both several presences on Radio and Tv and the

spreading of information on the website www.enerbuilding.eu;

a Call Centre in each partner Country, in order to inform and assist final customers (families and

local administrations) on energy measures in buildings.

Apart from the project partners, the above actions involved also other stakeholders, such as

- energy and environmental Public Bodies;

- firms producing installations for the energy efficiency and the use of renewable sources;

- firms working in the fields of energy distribution and private buildings construction;

- firms fabricating thermo installations;

- local administrations;

- communication businessmen.

34

Guides

Each citizen should give his own contribution to energy saving: by adopting energy efficiency measures and

paying attention to wastes, a percentage of 35-40% of energy could be saved, with no loss in comfort. This,

in brief, is the most important message spread through the over 270.000 guides distributed. In fact such

Guides promoted citizens to improve the energy efficiency of their heating/cooling systems, to use energy

installations in a more conscious way, to read carefully the energy label and to buy more efficient

appliances.

In order to help citizens with calculating the level of energy efficiency of their apartment and allow them to

save energy, the Guides included:

an easy exercise of self-energy audit, indicating whether the energy consumption is too high, and,

in that case, explaining how to deepen the audit and improve energy efficiency;

an clear description of both technologies and installations that should be used in order to improve

energy efficiency;

practical recommendations on how to save energy while using furniture, hot water, heating and air

conditioning;

economic incentives, tax incentives and other facilities foreseen by law and addressed to citizens

who decide to invest on energy efficiency.

Italy

In order to meet the energy needs of several types of buildings, four different Guides have been issued:

detached houses, condo buildings, public buildings, new buildings.

35

Customers really appreciated such guides (two edition have been printed, for a total amount of 163.200

guides), which the 350 local Adiconsum offices distributed not only to citizens but also to Public Bodies and

Organizations.

Spain

CECU and ESCAN integrated the information of the project in two guides: one for consumers (“Energy

efficiency in homes”) and one for public administrators (“The rational use of energy in public buildings”)

and some of the chapters for the Spanish guides were elaborated totally - national legislation and

incentives, example of new buildings with energy efficiency systems and others.The reason for this change

was that, in Spain consumers living in condominiums may also have a second home and, it is more practical

for them to have all the information in one guide instead of in two guides. Therefore, the decision to print

all the issues jointly was based on previous experience, taking into consideration the recipients interests.

The guides have been uploaded into the WEB site of the project and into the WEB site of CECU, to allow

access to as many consumers as possible. CECU asked the leader to introduce an indicator of the number of

downloaded guides, as requested by the Commission, as it is in the Italian section, but it was not possible to

introduce it (the number of downloads from CECU’s web it is not recorded either due to technical

problems).

ESCAN did distributed about 600 Guides of households and about 300 guidebooks of energy efficiency in

public buildings. Sending to institutions specialised on energy also at the workshops and at the meetings

organised with students. Distribution both guides to the citizens of the call centre that required them.

A total of 18,250 guides were distributed at seminars, conferences, events held by CECU or sent by post to

high schools, universities, energy companies, no governmental organizations, Municipal Consumer

Information Offices (OMICs), consumers’ associations, members of CECU, public administration, etc. There

are some consumer guides left in stock to be distributed at other events to be held during the year 2009.

The guides have been well received, especially by the public sector.

36

France

The guides have been well appreciated by our 400 local consumers associations. They used them as

working document for training themself, training news volunteers and qualified lawers. These guides are

also used for lobbying various institutions. These guides to represent a synthesis appreciated and

operational.

Other success story: We have distributed around 1000 guides during the "Planete Durable" event in april

2009 in Paris

37

Portugal

In Portugal, we have distributed 30.000 examples of the Residential Buildings guide, and 10.000 of the

Public Buildings guide. The edition of the tow guides was completely distributed.

About the Residential Buildings guide, it is structured in 9 chapters, focusing different themes about energy

efficiency and renewable energy:

1. Exterior features of buildings;

2. Building construction features;

3. Ventilation system;

4. Warming and Heating systems;

5. Hot Water Production;

6. Renewable Energies at Buildings;

7. Energy Certification of Buildings;

8. Best practices and small actions to save energy;

9. Atachemment ( Nacional and European Legislation).

The Public Buildings guide is divided in 6 chapters, focusing different themes about energy efficiency and

renewable energy at the public buildings:

1. Main goal of the guide;

2. The role of the Energy Manager at the public buildings;

3. Counties Energy Eficiency;

4. Energy Eficiency Services;

5. Energy Certification of Buildings;

6. Attachemment ( Nacional and European Legislation).

Indications on the distribution of the paper copy (how many and where, to whom):

38

The edition of the two guides was completely distributed.

Distribution of the guides:

The regional energy agencies and associations with interest on energy efficiency subject were informed, by

letter and personal contacts about the guides and the possibility to request the necessary quantity to

distribute by its region.

National partners to divulgate and distribute the guide: Associação de Empresas de Construção Obras

Públicas e Serviços; Ecoteca de Macedo de Cavaleiros; Região Autónoma dos Açores, Secretaria Regional da

Economia; Agência Regional de Energia e Ambiente do Centro; Agência Regional de Energia da Alta

Estremadura; Agência Regional de Energia e Ambiente do Norte Alentejano e Tejo; Agência de Energia e

Ambiente da Arrábida; AGÊNCIA REGIONAL DE ENERGIA DO CENTRO E BAIXO ALENTEJO; Agência de

Energia do Entre o Douro e Vouga; AGÊNCIA MUNICIPAL DE ENERGIA DE SINTRA; Associação de Municípios

de Vale do Douro-Norte; Centro de Informação Autárquico ao Consumidor de Albufeira; Câmara Municipal

de Palmela; Câmara Municipal de Setúbal; Câmara Municipal de São Brás de Alportel; Câmara Municipal de

Faro; Biblioteca Municipal de Faro; Câmara Municipal de Tavira; CIAC de Tavira; Câmara Municipal de

Loulé; CIAC de Loulé; Junta de Freguesia de Quarteira; Câmara Municipal de São Brás de Alportel; Câmara

Municipal de Portimão; Câmara Municipal de Lagoa; Câmara Municipal de Olhão; Câmara Municipal de

Lagos; Câmara Municipal de Albufeira

DECO Regional Offices (6) contacted all the City Hall of their region, but specially the one which we have a

collaboration partnership (26) to distribute the guide by their technicians.

DECO was promoting a national campaign about Electricity Saving – Carbon Brigades (financing by the

Energy Sector Regulator Entity) between May and November 2008. This campaign was promoted by 7

teams (carbon brigades) composed by young people with competences on energy field to inform

consumers, to visit enterprises and schools and offer informative material specially prepared for this public.

We had promoted 1500 action against the previewed 630. In synergy with this project, the Carbon Brigades

promoted the Enerbuilding project, distributing the guides and informing consumers about the project. The

guides were distributed to the consumers with interest to have more detailed information.

Guides distribution in public events promoted By Brigades Carbon

Event Local Date

Tektónica- International Fair of Lisboa 21 May

39

Buildings and Public Buildings

Cultural Fair Marco de Canaveses 23, 24, 25 May

Book Fair: Energy Day Lisboa 29 May

Shopping Center Santarém Santarém 29 May

Book Fair: Energy Day Porto 29 May

Energy Day Évora 29 May

Shopping Center Oeiras Parque Oeiras - Lisboa 31 May and 1 June

Book Fair: Environment Day Porto 5 June

Environment Day Mercado de Loulé - Algarve 5 June

Estação Viana Shopping Center -

environment day

Viana do Castelo 5 June

Cidade Jardim Fair Porto 6 a 10 June

Agriculture Fair Santarém 7 a 15 June

Products Show Fair Paredes de

Coura

Paredes de Coura 13, 14 e 15 June

Shopping Center Amoreiras Amoreiras – Lisboa 19 a 22 June

Furthermore, ADENE distributed Enerbuilding guides on training curses for accredited/qualified experts on

Energy Certification and Indoor Air Quality System ( Out to Dez 2008, Coimbra, Lisboa, Porto) and in

different events about Buildings, Energy Efficiency and others, to general public:

Exposição Eurosun - 07 to 10 of October 2008, Lisboa; Exposição Energia Cascais - 16 to 17 of October 2008,

Estoril; Salão Imobiliário de Lisboa - 22 to 26 of October 2008, Lisboa; Exposição Portugal Tecnológico - 18

to 23 of November 2008, Lisboa; Workshop “Oportunidades de intervenção no meio edificado para uma

maior eficiência energética" – 29 January 2009, LisboaWorkshops e Seminars of Sustentabel Construction;

In partnership with Ordem dos Engenheiros : Workshops “Certificação energética e da qualidade do ar

40

interior e medidas da construção sustentável (January to September 2009- nacional); In partnership with

Associação Portuguesa do Ambiente: Seminários: “Oportunidades de intervenção no meio edificado para

uma maior eficiência energética" – (January to September 2009-nacional); Feira Imobitur- 26 to 29 of

March, Porto; Feira Tecktónica- 20 to 22 of May, Lisboa; Feira Ambienergia- 4 to 6 of June, Porto; Feira

Ambiurbe- 17 to 20 of June, Lisboa; Projecto Green Project Awards - Matosinhos- 3 to 7 of June; Ferreira do

Alentejo- 25 to 30 of June; Cascais- 18 to 25 of Setember

and of the soft copy downloadable from the internet (how many) + photos of the various national guides:

Guide on Residential Buildings :

http://en.enerbuilding.eu/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=31&Itemid=31

Guide on Public Buildings (PT version):

http://en.enerbuilding.eu/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=32&Itemid=31

A story of success

The importance of the guides to the dissemination of this project was very important. While distributing

these guides, we felt that the public had a great reaction, getting the idea that the contents of each guides

collects the main questions about how to improve energy efficiency in our houses, at our work, and about

renewable energy (which are the different technologies, how to implement these systems at home,…). In

fact, these guides where a way to get the attention of the public of this project, and potentialize further

41

search on the internet about Enerbuilding. The contents of the guides were consider very good for several

professionals and experts

Further the table allowing citizens to approximately but expressively verify whether or not the cost of their

own heating is adequate to the technical characteristics of their apartments had been particularly

successful.

In order to understand the adequacy of the heating bill, it is first of all necessary to point out in which

climate zone (A-B-C-D-E-F) the building is located, to know the exact dimension of the apartment and to

calculate the annual heating cost. The level of adequacy will be showed by joining on the table the

apartment dimension with the climate zone of reference. If the resulting color is green, the building is

energetically efficient; if yellow, the efficiency is still good but can be improved; if orange, it would be

better to intervene. Finally, if the color of reference is red, the heating costs are very inadequate, and the

undertaking of energy measures is really recommendable.

42

Software

The software Self-Energy Audits of Condos and Detached Houses, available on the website

www.enerbuilding.eu, allows users to calculate both the heating efficiency and the primary energy needs in

Condos and Detached Houses. After choosing one’s own type of building, it is necessary to specify some

further details, regarding the building location and characteristics, the boiler and heating systems, the fuel

used, the annual costs and so on.

HOME PAGE FOR THE SELF-ENERGY AUDITS OF CONDOS AND DETACHED HOUSES

Once each field has been properly filled in, the software will create a table, resuming the building energy

performance and polluting emissions.

43

EXAMPLE OF ENERGY PERFORMANCES AND POLLUTING EMISSIONS

In the last section, the program lists the more important measures to be taken up in order to increase

energy efficiency and also calculates the potential savings, in terms of money, energy and cost-effective

investments.

Should any measure be adopted, after a self-energy audit, it is always very useful to contact qualified

experts and ask for a deeper energy analysis of the building, thus acquiring more accurate details and

information on the most suitable actions.

44

Web site

The website www.enerbuilding.eu aimed not only at sensibilise and inform consumers on energy efficiency

in building, but also at sharing partner States’ experiences and activities during the project fulfillment.

For the Enerbuilding project 5 sites have been created: one for each country, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal,

and a European one. They have been created with the same template and the same structure precisely to

align the navigation.

The home page (shown above) allowed users to access common documents in the English section and find

more specific information in each partner’s section. Apart from describing the project, the website gave

visibility to the activities done (conferences, workshops, meetings, information desks, etc.), by providing

the calendar and information on the event as well as the supporting material distributed.

The sites are designed and structured in such a way as to allow the navigators an easy access to the

available information.

The sites contain all relevant information concerning the project, and give the opportunity to easily

navigate between the other national sites.

The web sites have been updated continuously with project's publications, events, news, FAQs, etc. FIRE

uploaded all the national relevant information sent by the various national partners in order to keep the

website updated and useful.

45

It is possible to read and download partners States’ Guides on energy efficiency and other information tools

for operators and citizens. The Call Centre number is clearly showed, together with a brief description of

the service provided. A further page, of particular importance, is devoted to the self-energy audits of

buildings, allowing citizens to download the related software.

From the site it is possible to freely download the 4 guides and the software for self-diagnosis provided as

deliverables by the project, as well as have access to all records of the meetings Enerbuiling.

Finally, the website provides users with useful links (to legislations and other websites) and also with a

private area for partners, in order to share information and documents.

It was also published a survey to detect the user's satisfaction in the project whose results are directly

accessible from the homepage.

Each partner has a special account of its own web site in order to access by logging in as a special user to

modify the content and add new content.

The websites have been successful as shown by the number of visits (e.g. 225.433 for the Italian and the EU

one) and the number of documents downloads (e.g. more than 15.000 for the guides and 7.000 for the

software).

The Enerbuilding WEB site will be available for two years after the end of the project and will be linked to

the the website of the new project ENFORCE and

Spain

The Spanish pages, after the initial period, when the project’s official WEB site included some documents

explaining the object and activities of the project, drafted in Spanish and translated to English CECU worked

to enhance the WEB site. The structure of the front page was reorganized by putting new information and

by correcting the structure to make it easier to read. New events were introduced to brief public about

Enerbuilding Workshops and seminars and other events related to energy efficiency and renewable

energies that took place in Spain. Some sections such as “PUBLICATIONS” were improved. CECU added a

new category called “PRESS” for CECU’s press notes of the Enerbuilding project and a document "Media

Table" with some articles where the Enerbuilding project was mentioned. In the section of Frequently

Asked Questions, CECU introduced 16 specific questions drafted in collaboration with the Spanish partner

ESCAN, to brief consumers about useful technical issues.

46

CECU made a big effort to update the WEB page; in the section named "NEWS" new articles were

introduced, to give information to general public and experts about new laws, subsidies on energy

efficiency technologies and other interesting information. All the events staged for the project (seminars,

workshops and conferences) have been published in the WEB page. The work was successful since more

than 2,000 contacts per month have been registered (71,432 during the project).

ESCAN did elaborate several articles for “Eventos” and “Noticias” and questions with the answers for “FAQ”

during the project. In ESCAN website several info of the project was also included.

France

The French pages were also very successful with 113000 connection during the project lifetime with a

monthly average of 7500. This success is directly linked at the visibility (on line and press communication)

gived by CLCV

47

Portugal

The Portuguese area of Enerbuilding is composed by the following areas:

Initial page – to present the news from Portugal

News – to give information to the visitors about subjects related with energy efficiency, important

information related with energy efficiency and some activities done by DECO and Adene on this field.

Contacts – The Enerbuilding contacts (e-mail to Portugal contacts and call center information)

Search – to search any word/contents

Guides and tools – to download the guides produced (Guide on Residential Buildings; Guide on Public

Buildings)

Press room – we didn’t use this area

Links – to connect with other sites on the following areas (renewable energies; Sustainable consumption;

Energy efficiency and the partners on the project)

FAQs - to give information in a simple way to the visitors based on the requests from the call centre and

from practical questions) FAQs inserted: Best practices; to save energy; energy certification for the

buildings; renewable energy for your home; To produce warm water; systems of acclimatization; external

characteristics of the buildings; another questions.

The site also included the number of visitors, a questionnaire about the usefulness of the site to be voted

by the visitors.

Relevant information: The site had 41 242 (until December 2009) visitors what could be consider a very

interesting numbers of visitors. The FAQs were consulted by 5 026 visitors

Success Story

The website was very useful for the project dissemination and mainly to give the opportunity to download

the guides. By the number of users that consulted the FAQs we also can evaluated this tool as one

important to inform the consumers about the use efficient of energy. Many request for the guides also

came to us by the site visitors, using the email address.

48

The questionnaire online was voted by 54 visitors and 85,2% considered useful and only 14,8% didn’t

consider the site useful.

The following table below reports the statistical data concerning the use of the web site for the various sections

Download of the Guides*

Access to the National

web pages

Download of the autodiagnosis

software**

% of answers to the online

question “Did you find this

site helpful?”

Public

buildings New buildings

Single

houses Condo

Single

houses and

condo Public buildings Yes No

IT 2815 2575 2829 6289 180667 4768 1714 93,1 6,9

EN 363 193 245 228 58938 307 172

FR 521 770 120759 89.3% 10.7%

ES 1455 1584 85646 94.5% 5.5%

PT 1665 2034 42383 83.6% 16.4%

TOT 6819 2768 3074 6517 488393 5075 1886

* The guides have been prepared in different formats in the various countries (in Italy 4 different guides were produced according to the type of building

while in France, Spain and Portugal 2 guides were produced according to the end user)

** France, Spain and Portugal have not produced and uploaded the autodiagnosis software (the production of the software was not foreseen in the grant

agreement

Video

An introductory video, explaining the more important issues on environment, energy saving and renewable

sources, had been realized by a proper Working Group, in cooperation with qualified experts in the field of

communications. It had the main goal of increasing awareness on the intensive energy consumption in the

world, and the role of the each one of us to reduce the impacts by the rationalization of energy and

increase energy efficiency.

The video has been reproduced at the beginning of each event carried out during the project (meeting with

students, conferences addressed to citizens and local administrations, etc.), contributing towards

increasing the attention to the event. During the workshops and the seminars for students, the DVD was

shown and the attendants appreciated it because of the direct and clear messages offered (in 7 minutes of

duration it explains the problem of climate change and waste of energy; also it gives ideas to improve

energy efficiency). It will be used for further events related to climate change and environmental

sustainability (not only to energy) in schools and universities due to its useful contents.

The video starts with a prespective on the depende of energy consumption, and the consequences to the

global warming. There is an overview on the diferences between the energy consumed in the rich and poor

countries, and the future needs of these poor countries in actual devellopment. Over this tematic, energy

savings is presented as the primary source currently available of renewable energy, and that every citizen

can and should play an important role on energy savings at home.

The video was produced by the coordinator and adapted by the national partners. Its use was very

important in public presentations, seminars and in schools as a motivator element.

The DVD was revised and translated to Spanish and 50 copies were recorded to distribute it to speakers,

CECU’s partner in the project (ESCAN), the University of Oviedo, the University Carlos III of Madrid and

some teachers.

51

Success Story:

The contents of the video were crucial on getting the attention of the viewer to the thematic of energy

savings, the role of the citizens and the importance of Enerbuilding project to inform the public of the

different ways in order to reduce energy consumption.

52

EnergyBus

All the events carried out with students and other attendants have been accompanied by an Energybus,

supplied with energy technologies and installations for the energy efficiency and the use of renewable

sources.

The Energybus made possible to practically show how to integrate different technologies thus gaining the

highest energy efficiency. Such demonstrations have been of particular interest and innovation for citizens,

provided that normally traders only offer explanations of their own technologies, without putting them in

connections to other different technologies or installations. On the contrary, integrated projects are very

useful, if not essential, in order to achieve the best possible outcomes on energy efficiency.

53

Spain

A reusable rollup banner was designed and printed and was used at the press conference, conferences for

consumers and public administrators, at the final international conference and other events. This

instrument was not foreseen for the project but it was an initiative of CECU to attract attention to the

events. The logos of the IEE, the EU in Spain and the Spanish Ministry for Consumer affairs were included in

the rollup.

54

Call center

Each participating country, in its own headquarter, established a National Call Centre aimed at providing

final customers with information and assistance on the most appropriate measures and investments for

energy efficiency of buildings.

Italy

At ADICONSUM headquarters consumers received information and assistance both by mail

(info.it@enerbuilding.eu) and by phone (toll free number 800 985 280). Adiconsum staff informed

consumer on how to carry out a self-energy audit of their apartment or building; on the energy

technologies and installations; on the cost of energy investments; on the potential energy saving. Should

the information requests concern matters of particular complexity, specialized answers have been provided

by external experts, promptly connected to the National Call Centre by transferring the call to their mobile

phones.

The Call Centre Service was promoted by Adiconsum through several ways: publications, events foreseen

by the project, presences on Radio and TV.

A story of success

The toll free number gained an unexpected success: from August 2007 to October 2009

about 120000 phone calls have been received and dispatched. Such a success is due not only to the

information activities carried out by Adiconsum or of citizens’ attention to energy saving, but also to the

agreement between Adiconsum and ENEA (a Public Body belonging to the Ministry of Economic

Development) stating the possibility for citizens to call the toll free number and receive information and

55

assistance also regarding the tax deductions arranged by the Italian Government in order to enhance

energy investments in private buildings.

Without doubts, this is a story of particular success, which could set an example for a virtuous cooperation

between national and European institutions.

Figure 1: Call Centre. Number of questions per month

Figure 2: Type of questions –Call Center in Italy

56

Spain

The Call Centre managed by CECU had little activity since its implementation (17 calls). CECU dedicated 100

working hours to the Call Centre but there is evidence that consumers generally use the services of the

confederation to solve specific problems but not as much to obtain general information on a project. This is

the reason why the Call Centre run by CECU had not achieved the expected results, even after the issuing of

press releases, WEB site information, mentions from the written press and radio, etc. For this reason, CECU

decided to transfer the activity to its partner ESCAN, which was more successful in the outcome. CECU’s

Call Centre functioned from September 2007 to August 2008.

The starting of the call centre was 20th September 2007. Specific personnel of Escan, S.A. answered the

telephone and received the emails with enquiries. Experts provide the answers for the different questions.

A record of answers is elaborated every month.

Law of data protection have been presented in all cases and communicated to the consumers.

The questions are about: legislation; buildings and domestic equipment, renewable sources -solar, biomass

and wastes, bio-fuels, geothermal- and incentives and rebates, courses and publications.

Approximately 23% of questions are about buildings and domestic equipment, 20% of incentives and

rebates, 20% about renewable energy sources, 11% of legislation and 26% of Others –courses, publications,

etc.- (See Figure 1).

Buildings&Domestic

equipment

23%

Incentives and

rebates

20%Renewable sources

20%

Legislation

11%

Others

26%

Figure 1: Type of questions –Call Centre in Spain.

57

Types of actor who make the enquiries are citizens, students, university professors, private companies and

public bodies.

Type %

Citizen 44.73

Student 7.31

Universities 3.07

Private companies 39.44

Public bodies 5.45

Total 100

Figure 2: Call Centre. Types of actor who make the enquiries

The call centre received about 80-100 enquiries per month. 2159 replies are provided by email or

telephone as showed in the figure 3.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

se

p-0

7

oct-

07

no

v-0

7

de

c-0

7

jan

-08

feb

-08

ma

r-0

8

ap

r-0

8

ma

y-0

8

jun

-08

jul-

08

au

g-0

8

se

p-0

8

oct-

08

no

v-0

8

de

c-0

8

jan

-09

feb

-09

ma

r-0

9

ap

r-0

9

ma

y-0

9

jun

-09

jul-

09

au

g-0

9

se

p-0

9

oct-

09

Nu

mb

er

of

qu

es

tio

ns

Figure 3: Call Centre. Number of questions per month

The continuation of the Call centre will be done with the ENFORCE project in Spain. The partner ESCAN will

continue the same working methodology but focusing on energy certification of buildings.

58

France

The call center also was successful with 50 monthly average calls in 2007 and 100 in 2009 thanks to the link

from the web site.

Portugal

The Portuguese Enerbuilding Call Centre was on-line, from September 2007 to October 2009 to inform

consumers, local administrators and building managers in order to improve energy efficiency of their

house/building.

Blue Number: 808 780 350

Contact Days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Time: from 9.00 am to 13.00 pm

DECO has already its own call centre for the members associated and consumers in general (808 200 145)

but, it was created a special line only for the Enerbuilding Project (808 780 350). For this line service there

was a qualified technician to answer the questions about energy efficiency. For more specific questions,

the call centre technician will guide the consumers to the project technician, Isabel Oliveira or to ADENE to

give more complete information.

Success story

We consider that the call centre had received a reduced number of requests, in spite of the divulgation

made. The Proteste Magazine (410 000 examples) in May 2008 had published an article (1 page) about the

project and with information about the call centre. In the July edition, the magazine had published again a

note warning for the call centre. The DECO site had inserted the Enerbuilding call centre at the home page

from 23 June till 7 of July. The guides distributed (40 000) had mentioned the call centre. The tv and radio

programmes on which we had participated, the call centre was always announced.

59

Meetings in the schools

Apart from citizens and local administrations, the Information Campaign was also addressed to students,

committed to playing a critical role for the future environment safeguard and livability.

Thanks to the cooperation with teachers and schools directors, very conscious of the energy and

environmental problems, several meeting with High Schools students have been arranged. During these

occasions, the most important issues related to energy saving and to climate problems generated from

fuels polluting emissions have been discussed.

Each meeting started with the reproduction of the video on environment and continued thanks to the

assistance provided by teachers and project managers, who also explained the Enerbuilding purposes.

Italy

Within Italy, each meeting with High School students was introduced by the reproduction of the video in

the School main hall and also by a brief explanation of the activity, carried out by Adiconsum directors.

Each meeting was attended by about 50 people, among students and teachers.

Afterwards, the students visited the Energybus, parked in the School courtyard, where an expert showed

the functioning of energy appliances and installations for energy efficiency and the use of renewable

sources.

All students involved were provided with the Adiconsum Consumers’ Guides, spread also among teachers

as supporting material for further discussions and practical exercises.

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Spain

During the project, CECU organized three meetings for university students and two for high school students

that were attended by 160 students (45 university students and 115 high school students). The delivery of

diplomas has been a good practice used by CECU for many years, therefore we have to point out this as a

success story due to the appeal it had for attendants, since after the seminars to students, CECU printed

diplomas, signed by the coordinator of the project, to deliver them to all the participants in the courses.

This procedure, adopted by CECU, has been welcomed by the recipients because they are able to use the

diplomas to accreditate further professional experience, which may require an specific knowledge on some

of the issues addressed by the Enerbuilding project. Many diplomas were distributed: 45 to university

students and 69 to high school students. Diplomas were also distributed during the conferences for

representatives of public administrations, which were attended by some students (14 diplomas on

November 6th, 2008 in Leganés - Madrid and 6 diplomas on March 5th, 2009 in Oviedo).

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A lesson learnt from these meetings is that personal contact with students is the best way to reach them,

instead of through guides and the WEB page; this allows them to pose questions and clear up their doubts.

However, in some cases, it has been a little complicated to combine the Enerbuilding activities with their

regular educational programs because of the limited flexibility of their schedule which made difficult

finding the time to stage the meetings during their school day.

Meetings staged:

1. At the beginning of the year 2007 at the University of Oviedo, when the relevance of the energy

efficiency measures and information on the project was made relevant:

TITLE: “How to introduce in the lecture hall environment and renewable energies as a transversal matter”

2. During the month of July 2007 at the University of Oviedo, highlighting the relevance of the energy

efficiency measures covered by the Enerbuilding project:

TITLE: “Technician on Renewable Energies Systems”

3. Within the Master taught from August 4th, 2008 to August 8th, 2008 at the University of Oviedo:

TITLE: “Energy Auditing: Energy Saving and Efficiency”

4. On December 4th, 2008 at the High School Institute Carmen Conde (Las Rozas – Madrid)

TITLE: “Energy efficiency in homes and public buildings”

5. On June 1st, 2009 at the High School Lastra (Mieres-Asturias).

TITLE: "Energy efficiency and energy saving in buildings"

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The guides were distributed and the DVD was shown at these events.

ESCAN organised five meetings: two meetings for students of secondary school aged 13-16, two meetings

for university students aged 22-23 and students of electricity course aged 20-35 years.

The places of these meetings are Engineering of Mines, Polytechnic University of Madrid; University Juan

Carlos I; Foundation Orcasur, Mirasierra Secondary School and Isaac Newton Secondary School.

The activities of the meeting with students were:

Presentation the activities of Enerbuilding project.

Presentation the contents of the “Guide of Energy Efficiency in Households”.

Video elaborated in Enerbuilding project. After the video is projected, possibility of questions and

commentaries of the video by all participants.

Handing of the Guides. The contents of the guides are explained and hand-out to each participant

who attended the meeting. Guidebooks were distributed.

Some participants did answer to the feedback form handed out on the occasion of these meetings with

students and the answers were satisfactory.

More than 350 students did participate in the meetings in schools directly and 700 indirectly reading the

guidebooks that were provided to the centres.

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Meetings with students, Madrid 2008 and 2009

France

CLCV intervened at St Joseph college at Comines city in the north of France and reached through this action

280 students. In addition the students proved to be very interested asking a lot of questions about

sustainable development

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Portugal

In Portugal, 5 schools (2.º and 3 level) were visited to inform the students about the energy efficiency and

the best practices. In each school, a session for one or two classes was held as students between 12 and 17

years old pay more attention to the contents if the number of participants is restricted, the schools visited

were:

Escola 2, 3 de Vialonga (10 March) – 30 students

Escola Secundária Dr. José Afonso (19 March) – 28 students

Escola Secundária Prof. Rui Luis Gomes (24 de March) - 25 students

Escola Básica n.º 7 de Odivelas (6 May) – 29 Students

Escola Secundária D. Luis de Gusmão (19 May) – 58 students

The contents of the sessions: The importance of energy on our daily life; different sources of energy- the

importance of the renewable energies; the economical and environmental consequences of the energy

consumption; the role of consumer to protect the environment; how the consumers can to use the energy

with efficiency.

In the sessions the video and the site Enerbuilding were illustrated.

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Seminars

Apart from issuing guides and organizing meeting with students, the information campaign for energy

efficiency and renewable sources consisted also of other events addressed to:

- citizens and families,

- local administrations;

- condo administrators.

Normally, such events had been joined also by the most important firms operating in the energy field,

interested in promoting their installations. Each meeting was properly attended and advertised by local and

national media. All the above events were, in fact, a good manner of improving the visibility not only of the

Information Campaign but also of all the stakeholders involved in the project.

Before starting the Information Campaign, each partner State arranged a Press Conference calling the

attention of media, aimed at informing citizens on the services provided by the project. Moreover, before

issuing the Consumers’ Guides or activating the Call Centre, there have been organized National

Conferences addressed to citizens, energy operators and local administrations.

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Italy

The most important Italian Events are listed below

International Conference launching the Project Enerbuilding was held in Rome on 30th October 2007.

The conference message was “Concerns and worries about the future of our World, together with the

increasing cost of the energy bill for families, are very critical issues. Nowadays, our strongest tools for

limiting the consequences of an irrational energy consumption are referred to energy saving and the use of

renewable sources. During next years, the project Enerbuilding will carry out a wide awareness activity,

informing and assisting families, condo administrators and local bodies on the current possibilities to save

energy and employ renewable sources. In fact, the above mentioned goals could only be accomplished by

promoting energy investments in private and public buildings.”

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National Conference for condo administrators was held in Milan on 22th May 2008 on “Energy efficiency in

condo buildings: analisys and proposal”

The conference message was “Within Italy, the energy efficiency in condo buildings is very low: up to 50% of

energy spent for heating can be actually saved by renovating thermal installations, easy recovering the cost

of the investments in few years.Condo administrators play a very critical role in sensitizing families and

suggesting the undertaking of the necessary investments for energy saving.For this purposes, the

Conference organized by Adiconsum with the cooperation of condo administrators Associations, could be a

useful occasion to contribute towards the overcoming of those barriers which still obstruct the improvement

of energy efficiency in condo buildings.”

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National Conferences Local Adminstrations

Was held in Rome on 8th October 2008 on “Energy efficiency in public building and city lighting”. The

conference message was “Within 2020, the European Union committed Member States to gaining a 20%

energy saving compared to the levels of consumption in ’90. Local administrations can give their own

contribute to accomplish such goal, by improving the energy efficiency in public building and city lighting. By

the implementation of the new available technologies, in fact, it is possible to save about the 30-35% of the

current local administrations consumption of energy. For this purposes, the Conference organized by

Adiconsum with the cooperation of both ANCI and local Energy Societies, underline to local Authorities and

media the importance of removing the barriers currently impeding a more rational use of energy, and give

attendants useful information on how to improve the energy efficiency in public building and city lighting.”

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National Conference on renewable sources was held in Rome on 27th April 2009.

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Spain

Since there is a need for public policies that make it easier for households and administrators to act

responsibly (incentives to overcome financial barriers, innovation in green design for buildings, improving

energy information), CECU staged two conferences addressed to representatives of public administrations.

The aim was to increase their awareness over the possibility and economic advantages of installing more

efficient systems and technologies from an energetic point of view in their towns. The conferences were

attended by more than 100 people (representatives of public administration and consumers interested in

energy and environmental topics and the importance of public contribution to give good example to their

constituencies and to promote this behaviour among consumers).

We have to point out the successful dialogue between CECU and the Public Administrations, whose

representatives showed a willingness to collaborate in the project. There have been two sponsorships in

the project: the INC-Instituto Nacional del Consumo (National Institute for Consumers Affairs) and the CNE-

Comisión Nacional de Energia (National Energy Commission), the National energy regulator.

It has been essential to develop a close relationship with the public administrations, to guarantee the

visibility of the project as well as to acquire additional funding for specific actions. There seems to be a

need of information about the public administration’s commitment to reduce energy consumption, to

improve energy efficiency and to use more renewable energies. The good relationship with the

administrations has allowed the collaboration of representatives of public administrations in the events

scheduled.

Another lesson learnt from these seminars is that more information to consumers is needed, because it

often does not reach them or it is not effective. In our experience, many consumers are interested in saving

energy from the economic point of view but many others are drawn to new technologies by their concern

for the environment. Unfortunately, sometimes, it is costly and difficult to change integrated systems

within a pre-existing building, such as condominiums, but as technologies progress and the information

becomes more available these changes may be easier to undertake.

CECU staged a conference on October 2nd, 2009 for consumers attended by more than 100 people, with

the aim of explaining the overall results of the project and the activities carried out during the last three

years, the targets achieved and the prospects for the future such as: to continue providing information,

tools for energy efficiency and energy savings, etc. The final debate was very interesting, focusing on the

economic benefits resulting from the investments made that ensure a rational use of energy and the

importance of improving energy efficiency in homes. At the end of the conference, the Enerbuilding DVD

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was shown and the public appreciated it because of the direct and clear messages offered. A lesson learnt

from this conference is that the awareness of consumers is determinant to induce relevant operators to

acquire the necessary skills to provide costumers with energy efficiency and cost effective solutions. In

addition, people preferred short speeches, with the aim of introducing the subject and have more time

available for debates. The longer time given to the debates in recent events, allowed consumers to raise

their questions and to receive answer.

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France

CLCV participated at the main environment exhibition in Paris called Planete durable where thousands

peoples were approached.

Portugal

ADENE promoted Enerbuilding on several work groups for Local Administrators all over the country, in 18

districts, related to a national measure of efficient lamps distribution on old or social boroughs.

The dissemination of Enerbuilding was promoted over :

Conference “Eficiência Energética”, in Viseu;

VII Jornadas do Departamento Ciências Sociais e Humanas do Agrupamento de Escolas de

Moimenta da Beira;

“Water and Energy”, Mitigation of Energy Dependence of EPAL – Water Distribution Company of

Lisbon.

Those seminars were prepared focusing a main subject, about energy eficiency, in different areas, public

and private sector, including a presentation of Enerbuliding project. These presentation started with

Enerbuilding video, focusing the attention of the public to the principal problems about fossil recources

consumption and the importance to increase energy efficiency and decreasing energy consumption.

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DECO and ADENE promoted a Seminar to Consumers and Local Administrators – Habitação XXI, with the

purpose to discuss the energy efficiency on the buildings. The Seminar took Place on Tomar on 25th March,

and we had the partnership from the Superior School from Tomar. To participate on the seminar it was

invited the association of the building enterprises (AECOPS); The association of engineers, Sciences

Faculty, the departments of Urbanism from the city council from Tomar and Rio Maior. The seminar was

participated by 175 professionals, students (from the superior level), teachers, and consumers.

Best practice on how to involve seminars to stakeholders:

In Portugal the seminars prepared had the purpose to call the attention of different publics.

For the public sector, we got the attention of the administrators, giving the information that these seminars

approach several principal aspects envolving energy consumption in their infrastructure.

On the private sector, the aim of the seminars were to approach the tematic of Energy Certification of

Buildings to the principal and immediatte changes possible to be made, according to the contents of the

guides, that conduces to energy savings.

Seminar Habitação XXI in Tomar with 175 participants

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A story of success

The Information Campaign carried out in Italy has been composed of several actions, of which especially

one gained a great success: the local energy week.

On the basis of the meetings with High Schools students, the Energybus visited and stopped in several

Italian cities, in order to show students the new energy technologies and installations.

In order to give more prominence to the meeting and embracing more citizens, Adiconsum decided to

stopped in each city for two or three days, during which the Energybus, located in the city centre, provided

citizens with useful information and practical demonstrations of the energy technologies installed.

Moreover, in many cities there were organized specific Seminars for citizens, in order to sensitize users on

energy and environmental matters, to talk about energy saving and renewable sources and to distribute

the consumers’ Guides.

Generally, local media gave wide emphasis to the energy weeks.

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Final Conference

An international workshop was organized by ADICONSUM as final event of the ENERBUILDING project. The

aim of the workshop was to bring together selected stakeholders from various Mediterranean countries,

partners countries as well as Greece, Malta, Cyprus and Slovenia, to discuss the activities carried out to

solve specific problems related to the ENERBUILDING sector, within the project and independently from the

project, and various problems and needs which still need to be solved in each country. The workshop was

thus intended as a mean to promote an exchange of best practices amongst the participating countries as

well as the identification and evaluation of new possible project ideas to be submitted in the next calls.

The participation at the workshop was closed, only invited participants could attend it. Therefore the effort

for its organization was not placed on the diffusion of the event but on the selection of the experts to

invite. In any case the brochure of the event was prepared and sent in attach with the invitation.

ADICONSUM invited to attend the workshop experts coming from various Mediterranean countries as well

as many representatives of the Italian energy world coming from associations, industries, research centers

and other.

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The workshop started with the presentation of the ENERBUILDING project and the activities carried out in

each participating country. The project officer then illustrated the Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) funding

programme, its objective and mechanisms, and then a round table discussion took place on issues related

to the energy consumtion as well as the implementation of the European Energy Performance of Building

Directive (2002/91/CE).

The discussion was extremely interesting and provided important input to the various stakeholders

participating as well as to the ENERBUILDING project officer.

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5. Some technologies for energy efficiency

The project Enerbuilding took into consideration some of the most efficient energy technologies, explaining

their functioning and organizing practical demonstrations for citizens, making it easier for them to use such

installations in their own apartments.

Replacing old boilers with condensing boiler

By recovering the heat wasted in combustion fumes, condensing boilers ensure the same efficient

performance saving up to 15-20% of fuel.

The functioning of a condensing boiler recovering the heat wasted in combustion fumes

Low temperature underfloor heating

Compared to the traditional heating, the underfloor heating ensures, at the same time, a high level of

comfort and a low energy consumption, by spreading the heat uniformly in the apartment. The installation

is composed of a flexible cable filled up with low temperature water (35°-45°C), compared to the 70-80°

needed by a traditional heating.

An example of low temperature underfloor heating

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The thermoregulation and the heat accounting methodology

The position of thermostatic valves and installations for the individual heat accounting, especially in condo

buildings, allows customers to save up to 10-15% of energy, benefiting from the same level of comfort.

Thermostatic valve Heat Detector

Solar panels

Flat plate solar collectors suit the production of hot domestic water, while the vacuum ones are more

useful for space heating.

Flat plate collectors Vacuum solar panels

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Geothermal energy and heat pump

During winter, by using geothermal probes, the heat pump extracts the earth natural heat and transfers it

to the building for water or space heating. In summer, heat can also be returned to the earth for storage as

a way of ‘air conditioning’ homes and buildings.

heat pump with well heat pump with horizontal probe heat pump with vertical probe

Woody biomass boilers and fireplaces and pellets stoves

During biomass combustion of wood, the carbon dioxide emitted does not increase the global amount of

carbon dioxide, because it had already been absorbed from the tree. Therefore, wood fireplaces, pellet or

wood chips boilers stoves are to be taken into consideration in heating installation and thermal power

stations.

The carbon cycle of woody biomasses Pellet stove

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Thermal building insulation

A good thermal insulation prevents from heat dissipations during winter and protects from hot

temperatures in summer.

1 - External thermal coating 2 - Interior thermal coating 3 - Cavity wall insulation

The use of energy technologies on the basis of the different buildings conditions and needs, make possible

to achieve high levels of efficiency: when the available installations are well integrated, a 45-50% of energy

can be saved.

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6. Consclusions

Results of national assessment analysis

Italy

In Italy at the end of the project an analysis was carried out to size up the activities performed . The aim of

this evaluation was to eavaluate the project's impact on the stakeholders and the consumers.

Two questionnaires were prepared for the evaluation : a questionnaire addressed to consumers and

anotherone addressed to the stakeholders.

Consumers have been the beneficiaries of the project activities and they have expressed a neutral opinion.

It was asked to the consumers :

which activities did they take part in and how do they evaluate them (conferences, workshops,

local meetings, meetings in the schools, etc..);

which tools did the project use (energy saving guide, self energy audit software, call center,

website);

which are the most important saving energy technologies;

which fundings are the most efficient and the most usable

which are the best available ways to inform citizens

The questionnaire was distributed through the Adiconsum territorial office and the project website.

The second questionnaire was addressed to the stakeholders involved in the project (trade unions, national

and local energy agencies, industry associations, public administrations, businesses). The dialogue with the

area key actors and theire involvement in the project was fundamental.

They were asked to judge the activities they take part in, they were also asked to give an opinion about the

instruments that were offered and about the effectivness comunication of the project.The questionnaire

was sent to all the participants thanks to the contacts collected during the conferences, workshops, and

meetings.

We have collected about 163 questionnaires filled by the consumers and 78 filled by the stakeholders.

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Excellent Good Sufficient Poor

Eenergy saving guides

Condominiums 47% 43% 10% 0%

Detached Houses 33% 56% 11% 0%

New Buildings 35% 56% 9% 0%

Public Buildings 30% 57% 13% 0%

Self-Energy Audits Software 20% 66% 14% 0%

Call Center 55% 37% 8% 0%

Web site 14% 66% 20% 0%

Table.1 – Consumer - Assessment Tools Project

Graph.1 - Consumer - Most important saving energy technologies

Graph.2 - Consumer - Funding more effective

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Graph.3 - Consumer - Best ways to inform citizens

Graph.4 - Consumer - Overall assessment of the project

Excellent Good Sufficient Poor

Eenergy saving guides

Condominiums 37% 48% 15% 0%

Detached Houses 19% 63% 18% 0%

New Buildings 13% 67% 20% 0%

Public Buildings 20% 66% 14% 0%

Self-Energy Audits

Software 25% 58% 17% 0%

Call Center 45% 42% 13% 0%

Web site 11% 63% 26% 0%

Table.1 – Stakeholders - Assessment Tools Project

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Excellent Good Sufficient Poor

Conferences 25% 45% 30% 0%

TV and radio programs 15% 55% 30% 0%

Newspaper articles 13% 40% 47% 0%

Meetings in the schools 19% 61% 20% 0%

Energy Bus Stop 12% 36% 52% 0%

Table.2 – Stakeholders - Best ways to inform citizens

Graph.1 - Stakeholders - Overall assessment of the project

Spain

The national assessment in Spain was carried out by both partners to selected participants of the three

years of duration of Enerbuilding. Some institutions, companies and citizens of the call centre were

reached; also directors, teachers and students of the activities with students. At the workshops the

evaluation questionnaire was collected. The guidebooks are evaluated very positive and the events with

administrators and with student also. The call centre and the website are also increasing the number of

visitors every month, these mean good results.

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CECU achieved two main goals through the Enerbuilding:

partially overcome an important barrier, the lack of information that impede consumers the use of

efficient solutions and renewable energy sources at home. The experts involved provided practical

tools to save energy in households, they informed on the technologies available to improve energy

efficiency at home, to modify their habits, to understand the advantages of energy audits, etc. The

representatives of the regional public administrations involved in the events, provided information

on public policies and public subsidies to improve energy efficiency, that were very well received by

local public servants attending.

establish cooperation enacted with public administrations, universities, schools and other

organizations with the aim of reaching targets, to ensure a larger coverage of information and a

better knowledge of the project.

The project has been a very rewarding experience for Spain, the interest aroused by it was larger than

expected. Many consumers, students and local administrators have been reached and many contacts have

been made during the project, which will be very valuable for further work on the subject. It has been

possible to achieve the expected results through a challenging work plan and a rich set of activities for

dissemination of the information, awareness-raising and assistance to end users.

Links with other national / local initiatives

At European level

http://www.enforce-een.eu

In Portugal

Building Energy Efficiency Simulator: http://www.casamais.adene.pt/

Solar Thermal Programme 2009: http://www.adene.pt/ADENE/Canais/PNAEE/ProgST09.htm

SetCom project: http://www.adene.pt/ADENE/Canais/Projectos/setcom.htm

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Follow-up, national / local initiatives + ENFORCE at European level

The most interesting project result are the guides which shall remain available on the enerbuilding site, for

the following two years as well as in the sites of the national partners - DECO and ADENE.

Further some partners will be directly (ESCAN, ADENE) and indirectly (CECU, DECO) involved in the project

“Enforce”, which is a follow-up of the Enerbuilding project. The four main objectives of Enforce are:

o To draft and implement a common intervention strategy with the project partners on Energy

Performance Certification of buildings, as well as for the climatic conditions, system types and energy

requirements of buildings,

o To create a large-scale awareness-raising public information campaign, to promote the creation of

fully functional energy performance certification markets and to raise consumers awareness on the

advantages of employing energy efficient technologies in their homes,

o To provide end users with independent, neutral, qualified assistance and counselling services, to

encourage them to purchase energy efficient homes and to make the necessary investments to improve

the energy efficiency level of their buildings,

o To set up agreements and establish relationships to carry out joint training initiatives with

professionals and associations, universities, chambers of commerce, etc., to create a network of qualified

to carry out the energy performance certification and to make energy improvement interventions in

buildings.

Thanks to the ENFORCE activities in Italy, Spain and Portugal the call centre will keep on going after the

finalization of Enerbuilding and information will be given to consumers through the new project web portal,

linked to the enerbuilding web site, even though the Enerbuilding web site will continue for 2 years

(updated information for Spain will be available on both web sites) and the partners will organise events

during which the Enerbuilding guidebooks will be distributed.