Month: March 2024

An energy audit constitutes a comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate the energy efficiency of buildings, systems, and operational processes. This analytical process aims to uncover inefficiencies in energy usage and identify opportunities for enhancement and energy conservation. Conducted through a thorough examination, its purpose is to gain a nuanced understanding of energy consumption patterns within a particular structure or process and to devise strategies for optimization.

The principal objectives of conducting an energy audit include:

• Identification of Potential Energy Savings: The audit serves to pinpoint specific areas where energy usage is excessive or inefficient. Common findings may include thermal leaks, improper settings of heating and cooling systems, the use of outdated electrical appliances, or inefficient lighting solutions.
• Enhancement of Energy Efficiency: Insights gained from the audit facilitate the formulation of strategies to optimize energy consumption. This may involve the adoption of more energy-efficient appliances, enhancement of building insulation, fine-tuning of HVAC system operations, or the integration of renewable energy sources.
• Reduction of Operational Costs: By streamlining energy management practices, significant cost savings can be achieved. The audit identifies potential reductions in energy usage that translate directly into decreased utility expenses.
• Promotion of Sustainable Energy Use: The energy audit is a vital instrument in advancing sustainable development goals and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Enhancements in energy efficiency contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of operations.

Energy audits are conducted by external specialists or experts in energy efficiency, who are fully certified and authorized to undertake such evaluations.

The outcomes of an energy audit offer a detailed overview of current energy consumption levels and provide targeted recommendations for implementing energy efficiency improvements. At Grantera, we maintain a roster of skilled auditors capable of delivering these critical insights.

For further inquiries or to discuss the potential benefits of an energy audit for your organization, please feel free to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our Energy Efficiency Experts through the form.

We have often received questions about the possibility of obtaining subsidies despite the lack of an idea for innovation or innovative products or technologies . Until recently, we did not have a positive answer to this question, but now the situation has changed. We present you with a solution that perfectly meets these needs – the “Environmental Credit”. POMInnO assissts different organizations in applying for funds and grants.

This program provides an excellent source of financing for the replacement of obsolete machinery with modern ones, modernization of the machinery park and other investments related to energy efficiency. Importantly, it does not require the implementation of innovative products or advanced technologies resulting from research and development. All you have to do is decide to replace energy-intensive machines with new ones that have reduced energy consumption. This is a program aimed at companies that not only want to modernize their machinery, but also want to invest in renewable energy, such as photovoltaics, or make other improvements that will reduce the company’s overall energy consumption.

It is worth noting that, despite its name, the “Environmental Credit” is not a preferential loan, but a non-refundable grant that provides additional financial support to your business.

Therefore, if you are an entrepreneur and believe there are ways to improve energy efficiency in your company – I invite you to individual consultations, which will allow us to determine the chances and likelihood of obtaining a grant for your company. However, before you decide whether this program is for you or not – I warmly invite you to watch a recording from the online training on May 25, 2023, i.e., before the previous edition of this program. The training was conducted by Karol Bober, President of the Grantery Board, who is an expert in the field of EU grants and has over 20 years of experience in obtaining and settling grants. I know that now all companies supporting the acquisition of grants are very busy, and we need to support each other. I share this information without a problem, as the messages conveyed by Karol are always very practical, and I myself sometimes cooperate with Grantera in preparing grant applications, knowing that this knowledge is top-notch.

As part of the Ecological Credit competition, two calls for proposals have been planned for 2024. The first call will last from April 25, 2024, to July 25, 2024. The next call is planned from October 17, 2024, to December 30, 2024.

If you are interested in the program – please fill out the contact form, which will allow us to reach out directly and establish the details of cooperation in preparing the Ecological Credit application for your company.

#environmentalcredit #kredytekologiczny #grantera #serwisgrantowy #grantservice4you

The Challenge: A Green Revolution Awaits

Public procurement is a powerful tool for promoting environmental sustainability, yet its potential remains largely untapped. Despite existing guidelines and criteria, the implementation of Green Public Procurement (GPP) practices is sporadic and voluntary, far from the widespread adoption needed to make a significant environmental impact. The ChemClimCircle project aims to tackle this by integrating chemical safety, circular economy principles, and climate considerations into procurement processes, making green procurement not just an exception, but a norm.

Why Transnational Collaboration Matters

The obstacles to greening public procurement are not confined by borders. Shared challenges across the Baltic Sea Region (BSR), including varying levels of knowledge, lack of skills, and economic pressures, underline the necessity for a unified approach. The ChemClimCircle initiative leverages transnational cooperation to foster knowledge exchange, harmonize standards, and create a unified market that benefits from sustainable procurement practices.

Our Targets: Engaging Key Players

Our focus is on empowering public entities across the BSR, from small municipalities to national authorities, in adopting comprehensive green procurement strategies. This includes procurement and environmental departments, regional development agencies, SMEs, and interest groups, all pivotal in shaping a sustainable future.

The Partnership: A Collective Journey Towards Sustainability

Led by the Lithuanian National Procurement Office, our consortium embodies a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including municipalities, regional networks, think tanks, and the Union of the Baltic Cities. This diverse partnership ensures the development and dissemination of innovative solutions tailored to various contexts across the BSR.

The Roadmap: From Concept to Reality

Our project unfolds in three strategic Work Packages (WPs): Preparing solutions, Piloting and evaluating solutions, and Transferring solutions. Through collaborative efforts, we aim to develop operational models, monitoring concepts, and impact assessment tools that simplify the integration of GPP criteria into procurement practices. This comprehensive approach ensures that our target groups are not only involved but are active participants in the transformation process.

The Outcome: A Sustainable Procurement Ecosystem

The ChemClimCircle initiative is set to revolutionize public procurement by making sustainability the default criterion. Our vision is to create a BSR where every procurement decision is an opportunity to advance environmental goals, fostering a sustainable market that extends beyond regional boundaries.

Join Us: A Call for Action

We invite potential partners to join this ambitious journey to green public procurement across the BSR. Together, we can create a sustainable future, one greener procurement decision at a time. For more info & to get involved, reach out and fill in a short registration form here!

 

In the face of challenges posed by climate change, the European Union is taking further steps towards sustainable development. Tuesday, March 11, 2024, marked a milestone in this process, as the European Parliament voted on significant amendments to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, more widely known as the building directive. The goal of these changes is not only to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions but also to make the EU energetically independent from imported fossil fuels. What specific changes are awaiting us, and how might they impact our daily lives and the construction industry?

Ban on Installing Gas Furnaces

The first, and perhaps most direct, effect of the new regulations is the introduction of a ban on installing fossil fuel-powered furnaces, including natural gas, in new buildings between 2028 and 2030. This ban will be effective in existing buildings from 2040. However, even before this, fossil fuel furnaces can only be installed as supplementary sources, which will force building owners to seek alternative, eco-friendly solutions, such as heat pumps.

Mandatory Installation of Photovoltaic Panels

As part of the effort to maximize the use of renewable energy sources, by 2029, every new residential building will have to be equipped with photovoltaic panels. This step towards reducing CO2 emissions also offers a chance to lower energy bills for residents. These changes will be introduced gradually, starting in 2025 for public buildings and other types of constructions.

Standardization of Energy Performance Certificates

The new regulations also bring changes to energy performance certificates. From now on, all certificates in the EU will have to use a uniform rating scale, which will facilitate the comparison of energy efficiency across different buildings. However, these changes will require administrative adjustments and may be associated with extended issuance periods and a potential increase in their prices.

What Does This Mean for Us?

These changes are seen as a significant step towards a sustainable future and have the potential to bring long-term benefits for both the environment and the economy. However, for homeowners and developers, they mean rethinking construction plans and investing in new technologies.
The construction industry faces the challenge of adapting to new requirements, which could be an opportunity for companies investing in green technologies and offering eco-friendly construction solutions.
For residents of the European Union, these regulations mean adapting and potentially facing challenges in adjusting existing buildings to new standards. On one hand, this is an investment in the future aimed at ensuring a better quality of life and protecting our planet for future generations, but on the other, it poses a significant financial challenge for homeowners and tenants. Residents of Western (wealthier) and Southern (warmer) Europe may find it easier to adapt to these conditions, but for residents of Eastern (poorer) and Northern (colder) Europe, the adjustment could be more challenging. From this perspective, programs like “My Electricity – Mój Prąd” or “Clean Air – Czyste Powietrze” in Poland are essential financial tools that support the direction of these changes.

In Summary

While these decisions are a key element in the EU’s strategy for sustainable development and combating climate change, they present new challenges and opportunities for us, the residents of Europe, as well as the construction sector. Adapting to these changes will require cooperation, innovation, and a willingness to change, awareness, readiness for sacrifices, and the engagement of each of us, but above all, appropriate supporting instruments. This could also be an excellent area for Pan-European project developing solutions and recommendations on how to cope with the complexity of the implementation of building directive.