84629 December 20th, 2013 1 1 The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the views and position of the Executive Directors of the World Bank, the European Union, or Table of Contents the Government of Romania. Executive Summary /1 The TRACE diagnostic is part of work done under the Romania Regional Development Program – a Reimbursable Advisory Methodology /8 Service activity, undertaken by the World Bank at the request Background /11 of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public National Legislation Regarding Energy /11 Administration, with EU funding. The report was written by a Background Constanța /17 team comprised of Manuela Moț, Ranjan Bose, Sebastian Burduja, and Marcel Ionescu-Heroiu. Cristina Zirimis has Constanța Sector Analysis /23 provided logistical and administrative support throughout the Power Sector /23 process. The team would like to thank the colleagues at the Street Lighting /25 Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration Municipal Buildings /27 (particularly Ionuţ Trincă, Costel Jitaru and Bogdan Ţigău), as Solid Waste /29 well as the colleagues in the Constanța City Hall and the District Heating /32 Constanța County Council, who supported the team Water Sector /35 throughout. The team would also like to thank peer reviewers Urban Transport /40 Stephen Hammer, Feng Liu, Paula Restrepo, and Pedzi Makumbe, for the excellent feed-back provided. Energy Efficiency Recommendations /49 District Heating /50 TRACE (Tool for Rapid Assessment of City Energy) was Urban Transport /52 developed by ESMAP (Energy Sector Management Assistance Municipal Buildings /57 Program), a unit of the World Bank, and is available for Street Lighting /60 download and free use at: http://esmap.org/TRACE. Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan / 61 Awareness Raising Campaigns / 62 Annexes /65 1 2 Executive Summary The limitations of TRACE Why a study on energy efficiency? The fact that TRACE is simple and easy to implement, also means that The main impetus for this report (and for the reports prepared for the there are limitations with respect to the depth of analysis. For example, other six growth poles) is a request received from the Ministry of Regional the tool may identify District Heating as the a priority sector in terms of Development and Public Administration. The request came within the potential energy savings, but it does not go into detail on the required context of on-going preparations for the 2014-2020 Programming Period, costs to complete district heating rehabilitation projects. Thus, even if the with Energy Efficiency being one the major themes of the Europe 2020 energy savings potential is assessed to be high, the costs may be even strategy, and a critical priority for all EU Member Countries. Within higher, and an investment in the sector may not be warranted. Similarly, Romania, local authorities that will want to access energy efficiency funds although TRACE specifically focuses on the service areas that fall within under the 2014-2020 Regional Operational Programme will need to first the purview of local authorities, the tool cannot factor in the institutional prepare energy efficiency strategies. The TRACE tool is specifically and legislative mechanisms that need to be in place to make a specific targeted at local authorities, and is a good instrument for drafting such energy efficiency recommendation possible. strategies. Boundaries of studied area What is TRACE? While this work focuses on the growth poles in Romania, the analysis was The Tool for Rapid Assessment of City Energy (TRACE) is a simple and limited to the boundary of the center city. The reasoning for this is quite practical tool for conducting rapid assessments of energy use in cities, The simple: it is prohibitively difficult to collect individual indicators for all the tool helps prioritize sectors with significant energy savings potential, and constituent localities of a metropolitan area. In most cases, this would identifies appropriate energy efficiency interventions across six sectors — have required in-depth discussion with over 20 localities, ensuring that all transport, municipal buildings, water and wastewater, public lighting, solid these localities had the required indicators for a particular service area, waste, and power and heat. It is a simple, low-cost, user-friendly, and and ensuring that they used the same methodology for the calculation of practical tool that can be applied in any socioeconomic setting. these indicators. Nonetheless, the sector analysis and recommendations took the metropolitan scale into consideration, and the section on sound The advantages of TRACE urban planning practices was done at the full metropolitan level. TRACE is one of the most powerful energy efficiency tools, specifically developed for cities. It is simple, easy to implement, and quite intuitive, Summary of findings and it allows a quick assessment of energy savings potential in six key After the 1989 Revolution, Romania began its transition from a centralized public service areas: urban transport; water and wastewater; municipal system to a market-based economy. Today the country is a member of the buildings; street lighting, power and centralized heating; and, solid waste European Union (EU) and NATO. After more than a decade of economic management. The tool can be implemented relatively quickly and is not restructuring and political change, the country has taken significant steps data or cost-intensive. Moreover it allows local authorities to get a rapid toward catching up with the economic performance of more developed assessment of their city’s energy performance, and to identify sectors that EU countries. Although radical reforms brought about significant changes may be subjected to a more in-depth analysis. in recent years, the standard of living of Romanians is still behind the EU average. Constanța is the only growth pole located on the coast of the Black Sea, a couple of hours away from București. The city is on the 1 Eastern border of the European Union and it hosts the Port of Constanța, upgrading of the hot water/heat pipes in order to diminish hot water which is the largest harbor on the Black Sea and the fourth bigest in leakages and improve the quality of services offered to the population. Europe. Mamaia, one of the most modern and popular beaches in the Like in every city in the country, municipal buildings in Constanța demand region attracting millions of tourists annually, is an administrative unit of proper measures toward improving energy efficiency – particularly health Constanța, and is located just on the outskirts of the city. At the cross and education facilities managed by the city government. The local public roads of few important commercial transport routes, Constanța is a core administration has data about energy consumption and expenditures in commercial center connecting Europe from East to West and from South municipal buildings, but the building stock under the city government to North, ensuring a link between Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The needs a proper benchmarking, along with audit and retrofit measures in Port of Constanța plays an important role for the transit of mineral order to identify the highest energy savings potential and optimal resources, natural gas, and hydrocarbons from CIS countries, Central Asia, interventions. Among other challenges faced by Constanța are the small and Trans-Caucasus to Western and Central Europe. percentage of recycled waste (only 3%) and the lack of dedicated bike The local economy is based primarily on the oil refinery industry, lanes. At the same time, the city did not rehabilitate any of the residential port-related activities, services, and tourism. For example, manufacturing buildings, and thus the level of comfort in some of the apartments is of refined petroleum products makes up almost 30% of the revenues in increasingly poor. the metropolitan area. The economic development of Constanța and the But Constanța has accomplished a number of positive things to region was boosted by the dynamics of port activities and maritime date. The water sector covers the entire city and the related connections transport in the mid-2000s. are metered. Hundreds of millions of Euros were invested in the The transition period after the end of the communist regime has expansion of the water network and the rehabilitation and modernization led to significant changes in the social and economic life of the residents of the water plants and wastewater facilities in the city, which eventually of Constanța. Some of these developments have positively affected helped reduce energy consumption. As for the street lighting sector, people’s lives, whereas a few came along with inconveniences and mercury lamps have been replaced with more efficient sodium vapor difficulties. Like many cities in the country, Constanța lost almost 9% of its bulbs. Although Constanța relies only on buses and minibuses (the latter residents over the last decade. operated by private transport companies), the public transport connects Similar to a country-wide trend, the rising number of cars in the the downtown area to all neighborhoods in the city and to Mamaia. The past two decades has caused heavy traffic congestion, increased fuel city government is working on addressing the issue of bike lanes once a consumption, and high level of greenhouse gas emissions. Commuting is joint project with Balchik, a city in Bulgaria, will be completed. Constanța not an easy task for neither private nor public vehicles. The main is also developing and remodeling a number of pedestrian networks and challenges in the transport sector in Constanța are the modernization of expanding some of them. Among some of infrastructure projects under the rolling stock and improvement of the traffic flow. The urban transport way are the rehabilitation of the historical center and the seafront sector has a significant potential for energy savings, requiring appropriate promenade in Constanța and Mamaia. Some of the educational facilities measures in order to decrease fuel consumption and reduce greenhouse have been renovated, which led to increasing the level of comfort in the gas emissions. buildings. Despite a low rate of recycled waste collected, the solid waste The second-highest potential savings in Constanța are related to sector is performing well. Constanța metropolitan area has the first eco- the district heating sector. In the near future, the City Hall hopes to take framed landfill in the country, which is operational since the mid-1990s. over CET, the district heating plant, in order to manage the overall The local government plans to renovate more schools and kindergartens operations, from production to distribution of heat, and collection of in the city in the near future. In addition, the city managers want to start revenues. The main challenges to the district heating system concern the off the thermal insulation of residential buildings in the city. Beyond these 2 positive efforts, additional work needs to be completed in order to private utility service providers. At the end of this quantitative and decrease energy consumption, reduce heating bills, and enable the city to qualitative analysis, several recommendations were formulated, as become more energy efficient. summarized below. Similar to all other cities in the country, Constanța does not have a say with regards to the management of the electrical power sector. District Heating Maintenance and Upgrade Tariffs are regulated by the national government, which is still subsidizing TRACE identified district heating as the sector with the highest energy the energy price for domestic users. The liberalization of the energy sector savings potential in Constanța. Through this recommendation, TRACE is under way with industrial consumers and, starting in 2013, it will begin encourages city managers to consider upgrading the district heating to affect non-domestic users as well. Specifically, the subsidies are going system. The main challenges to this sector include diminishing losses in to be gradually eliminated by the end of 2017, when the liberalization of the network and maintaining an affordable tariff for the population. the market is expected to be complete. Energy production from Therefore, the local government should pay attention to the rehabilitation renewable sources is encouraged, and Green Certificates are provided to and upgrading of the network, and replace the old hot water and heat producers, although the award of some certificates has been postponed pipes. In this way, losses will be reduced, the quality of services will until 2017. improve, and the district heating operator will be able to maintain an The local public authorities are planning to carry out a number of acceptable heat price, keep clients happy, and even try to win back some projects aimed at reducing energy consumption in the city and, ultimately, of the lost market share and attract new customers. improving the quality of life for the residents of Constanța. Some of these projects include mitigating traffic congestion, purchasing fuel-efficient Non-Motorized Transport Development rolling stock, increasing the efficiency of the district heating system, One of the key recommendations for Constanța is to focus on the expanding the water and sewage networks, developing bike lanes, and development of non-motorized commuting options in the city as a way of modernizing the street lighting system. encouraging fuel-free means of transportation in order to raise the quality This report is based on the implementation of the TRACE tool in of life for the residents. Therefore, the city should expand the existing Constanța in July 2013 and it outlines some ideas on what the city could pedestrian networks and develop new areas where traffic should be further do to improve its energy efficiency performance. TRACE (Tool for restricted. The city does not have dedicated bike lanes, an issue that the Rapid Assessment of City Energy) is a simple and quick diagnostic tool that city government should address. The more people walk and bike, the assesses a city’s energy performance in six service areas (urban transport, lower is the use of private cars, and thus less fuel is consumed. The municipal buildings, water and wastewater, solid waste management, development of the pedestrian network would also encourage business public lighting, and power & heat) and provides recommendations for growth around the newly established pedestrian areas, including improving energy efficiency. In each of the service areas, TRACE uses a additional leisure and entertainment spots. Constanța already has a few benchmarking algorithm to evaluate energy cost savings potential and, pedestrian networks in the city center that are currently undergoing factoring in the level of influence of local authorities, it prioritizes what redevelopment and rehabilitation work. The pedestrian networks are the authorities should do according to where the biggest savings can be good spots that can stimulate businesses (such as shops, markets, achieved. entertainment places, etc.), and are also points of attraction for many In order to complete data collection and to get a more residents. comprehensive idea of issues specific to Constanța, a World Bank field trip was organized in July 2013. The implementation of TRACE in Constanța was carried out in close collaboration with local authorities and public and 3 Parking Restraint Measures publishing the data, thus enabling competition among building managers, This TRACE recommendation highlights the fact that the local government a process that could eventually lead to collaboration and a productive in Constanța should consider taking the right measures to curb the exchange of data and best practices for saving energy. increasing number of private cars pouring into the city. To this end, “Park and Ride” facilities are one the most appropriate ways to dea l with traffic Municipal Buildings Audit and Retrofit congestion. This is a very efficient method to promote multimodality by After the benchmarking process is complete, the next step recommended linking parking to public transport. People who travel to the city drive by the TRACE analysis is a full audit of the public building stock in their cars to “Park and Ride” lots, from where they take public transport Constanța. This process would help draw a plan for how resources can be to get into the city center or to their workplace. The local public allocated to improve the energy performance of municipal buildings in the administration in Constanța should consider building more parking spots city. Based on results, the local government can allocate funds for and increasing the prices for parking, especially in the downtown area. But investing in energy efficiency upgrades, purchasing new equipment, and before such facilities are developed, one has to have a better performing renovation work on certain buildings. Some of the education understanding of commuting patterns in the larger metropolitan area, and facilities in the city have already been renovated and the Constanța City the expansion of public transport infrastructure should precede the Hall plans to carry on this work and further modernize some of the development of such facilities. educational facilities. This recommendation encourages the city managers to continue the necessary efforts toward increasing the efficiency of the Public Transport Development municipal building stock. One of the TRACE recommendations to the municipality of Constanța is to continue developing the public transport in the city. The authorities Street Lighting Timing Program should carry on the modernization of the public transport fleet, purchase This TRACE recommendation for increasing the efficiency of street lighting new, energy-efficient rolling stock, and introduce e-ticketing. At the end of targets the introduction of a lighting-timing program in Constanța. After the day, all these measures seek to make the public transport more replacing the mercury lamps with more efficient sodium vapor bulbs, the attractive and increase the number of users. Another recommendation is local public administration is thinking to further improve the system and to expand dedicated bus lanes that would allow buses to bypass traffic reduce electricity consumption. One of the best and least costly solutions congestion. A reliable and comfortable public transport system provides for reducing energy consumption is the street lighting timing program. an incentive to Constanța’s residents to leave their cars at home. Through this method, the light can be adjusted for specific needs in a particular area, according to varying weather and activity levels. For Municipal Building Benchmarking Program instance, more light is needed in the evenings when more people are out This recommendation emphasizes the importance and usefulness for than in the nighttime when there is less activity on the streets. Constanța of keeping track of energy consumption and related expenditures for the buildings that are under the management of the city Energy Efficiency Action Plan and Strategy government. One of the first measures to this end is the development of TRACE recommended to the local government of Constanța to prepare an a comprehensive municipal building database that would provide energy efficiency strategy and action plan. As the city is planning to sign information on which buildings have the greatest saving potential. This the Covenant of Mayors, the next step would be the development of the can be done through a benchmarking process, using a number of key Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP), a document that will include indicators. Once the database is finalized, it should be analyzed and concrete measures and actions towards reducing greenhouse emissions updated on a regular basis. The city government may also think about by 20% by 2020. This plan would be of crucial importance before 4 embarking on ambitious projects to improve energy efficiency in the city. Efficiency Recommendations Section. The Matrix below provides a The energy efficiency strategy can lay out a vision and objectives for such snapshot of the priority sectors and recommendations chosen for the City work, and provide a list of activities that could help Constanța achieve of Constanța. those objectives. Cross growth pole comparison Awareness Raising Campaigns Having the benefit of implementing TRACE in 7 of the largest cities in Last but not least, this TRACE assessment advises local authorities in Romania, the team identified a number of common challenges, and a Constanța to invest in making people more aware of the benefits of number of common approaches for addressing energy efficiency issues. energy efficiency and enable them to act in such a manner as to achieve For example, it became quite obvious that almost every city with a district increased energy savings. The aim of this recommendation is to encourage heating in Romania has issues running this system in an efficient manner. the city government to employ public education and training campaigns in District heating systems in Romanian cities were almost exclusively built order to increase citizens’ awareness and understanding of the need of before 1989, and they now have large segments of o leaky and poorly reducing energy use and, thus, change their attitude toward energy insulated pipes. Moreover, the district heating systems were not built to efficiency. The municipality should provide citizens with accessible, useful also serve large industrial facilities (which now are largely gone), and they information related to energy efficiency in such a way as to determine were not designed for individual metering (i.e. with a vertical distribution behavior change and, eventually, and help people understand how system in apartment blocks, instead of a horizontal system). Because of important is to live in a less polluted, healthier city. the losses in the system (which ultimately get reflected in the monthly bill), because heating cannot be adjusted or turned off when not needed, Prioritizing Recommendations and because of the high and growing price of thermal energy, many The process used by the team to get to the recommendations presented people have decided to de-branch themselves from district heating above was twofold. On the one hand, the TRACE tool has a step-by-step networks. Virtually, every growth poles has witnessed de-branchments mechanism analysis system, which enabled the team to identify a number from the centralized heating system, as people have resorted to individual of priority sectors. The chosen priority sectors usually included sectors heating options (e.g. individual gas powered heating units). In some cities, with a high energy and money savings potential, and sectors where local such as Brașov, the share of people who de-branched from district heating authorities had a high degree of control. Sectors which were either under represents a large majority of the population; in other cities, such as the control of private operators, or the control of county councils or Constanța, the number of people who left the centralized he ating system national level authorities, were usually not considered. is lower. For each of these priority sectors, the team has chosen a number of key recommendations, based on the discussions with the public utility operators, and based on the site visits and data collection. In turn, these recommendations were discussed with local authorities, and a limited number of priority recommendations (usually around 10), were selected from the list prepared by the team. In some cases, local authorities have chosen priority sectors and recommendations that did not necessarily offer the highest savings potential. A more in-depth discussion on each of those recommendations, including the position of local authorities is discussed in the Energy 5 Matrix with energy efficiency priorities and proposed programs 6 Priority sectors for energy efficiency improvements in growth poles All in all, every growth poles that has been part of this study has Brasov Cluj Constanta Craiova Iasi Ploiesti Timisoara undertaken energy efficiency measures in the past years, and all have Private good practice lessons they can share with other cities. 3 1 1 2 2 3 2 Vehicles Public The importance of good urban planning for energy efficiency 2 2 3 1 4 4 4 Transport While TRACE does not explicitly deal with this issue, urban planning plays District a crucial role in energy efficiency. Cities that promote and encourage a 1 5 2 1 2 1 Heating dense and compact urban development pattern tend on the whole to be Municipal more energy efficient. On the whole, dense cities require less investment 5 3 4 3 3 5 5 Buildings in public services infrastructure development and maintenance (roads, Street 4 4 5 4 5 - 3 water networks, sewer lines, street lighting, solid waste management, Lighting Solid Waste public transport, etc.), they allow higher profitability for public transport - - - - - - - operators (since every transit stop serves on average more people than in Management Water and less dense cities), they enable walking and biking as means of commuting, 6 - - - - - - Wastewater they discourage car use and transport-related pollution, they can help Local lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, they require less energy Authority - - - 5 - 1 - expenditures for the delivery of key public services (e.g., pump costs for Management water, fuel costs for garbage collection).It is estimated that the energy consumed for transport needs in a city with a density of less than 25 For most growth poles, urban transport (private vehicles and public people per hectare may reach an annual average of 55,000 mega joules transport) was identified as a key sector, although cities like Iași and per person. By comparison, in an urban area with a density of 100 people 1 Timișoara (which have the largest tram networks in Romania outside per hectare, this figure is about three times lower. Consequently, a Bucharest), generally have energy efficient public transport systems and separate section on spatial planning was introduced in the report, as such have this sector lower on the priority list. discussing some key related issues for each city studied. A more complete Generally, solid waste management, as well as water and analysis of spatial planning challenges in Romanian cities is included in the wastewater, did not make it on the priority list of growth poles. For one, Enhanced Spatial Planning report. solid waste management systems in Romania tend to largely be operated by private companies, and energy efficiency improvements in these systems are accrued by these private operators. On the other hand, water and wastewater systems are generally run by public companies, with county councils being the majority shareholders. Also a number of the growth poles had drafted or were in the process of drafting Covenant of Mayors SEAP reports (e.g., Brașov, Cluj- Napoca, Timișoara), while others (e.g., Ploiești or Craiova) were 1 considering to start the process. European Environment Agency. 2006. Urban sprawl in Europe: The ignored challenge. Copenhagen: European Environment Agency (Report No. 10/2006). 7 Methodology 3. Assessment and Ranking of Individual Sectors During the city visit, a number of meetings and interviews are conducted to collect additional data across city departments and The Tool for Rapid Assessment of City Energy (TRACE) TRACE consists of agencies, augmenting benchmarking results with contextual three principal components: (i) an energy benchmarking module which information. At the end of the first phase, a prioritization process takes compares key performance indicators (KPIs) among peer cities (ii) a sector place to identify sectors with the greatest technical energy savings prioritization module which identifies sectors that offer the greatest potential. Energy costs are also weighed, as is the ability of city potential with respect to energy-cost savings, and (iii) an intervention authorities to control or influence the outcome. Priority sectors are selection module which functions like a “playbook” of tried -and-tested EE reviewed in detail in the second phase. measures. These three components are woven into a user-friendly software application that takes the city through a series of sequential The main frame of TRACE steps: from initial data gathering to a report containing a matrix of energy efficiency recommendations tailored to the city’s individual context, with implementation and financing options. The steps are as follows: 1. Collection of Candidate City Energy Use Data TRACE contains a database of 28 key performance indicators (KPIs) collected from over 100 cities. Each of the data points that make up these KPIs is collected prior to the application of the tool and, as TRACE is launched, this collection of information will grow with current and reliable data. 2. Analysis of City Energy Use Against Peer Cities The performance of a city is compared with a range of peer cities — selected by the city based on population, climate, and human development—to determine their performance in each of the six sectors (3-6 KPIs per sector). The benchmarking process provides an overview of energy performance so the city can assess its relative rankings against peer cities in each sector. The Relative Energy Intensity (REI), or in simpler terms the percentage by which energy use in a particular sector could be reduced, is calculated using a simple formula. The formula looks at all the cities that are performing better on certain KPIs (e.g., energy use per street light), and estimates the average improvement potential. The higher the number of cities in the database, the more accurate the final result are. 8 4. Ranking of Energy Efficiency Recommendations Recommendations are then assessed based on five different factors: TRACE contains a playbook of over 60 tried and tested energy finance; human resources; data and information; policy, regulation and efficiency recommendations in each of the sectors. Some examples enforcement; and assets and infrastructure. This step helps cities better include: rank measures that are within its capacity to implement effectively. TRACE  Buildings | Lighting Retrofit Program then enables recommendations to be plotted on the basis of two  Organizational Management | Energy Efficiency Task Force, attributes on a 3x3 matrix (energy savings potential and first cost), with an Energy Efficient Procurement additional filter that enables the user to sort recommendations based on  Power & Heat | Solar Hot Water Program on Buildings implementation speed.  Public Lighting | LED Replacement Program for Traffic Lights  Transport | Traffic Restraint in Congested Urban Areas, City Bus Recommendations in each priority sector are quantitatively and Fleet Maintenance qualitatively evaluated based on key data, including institutional  Waste | Waste Management Hauling Efficiency Program requirements, energy savings potential, and co-benefits. Those  Water & Wastewater | Pump Replacement Program recommendations carried forward will be supported by implementation options, case studies, and references to tools and best practices. The TRACE Benchmarking Module 5. Report Preparation and Submission A Final City Report records the city review, along with city background information and various aspects of the city visit included in introductory sections and annexes. The report includes:  City background information, such as city contextual data, key city development priorities, energy efficiency drivers, barriers etc.  An analysis of the six sectors, including a summary of the benchmarking results.  A summary of sector prioritization based on city-owned and city-wide scales  A draft summary of recommendations provided as the City Action Plan  An Annex section, with a more in-depth discussion on energy efficiency recommendations and best-practice cases. The Final City Report enables the city to move forward with the most feasible recommendations in a structured manner to allow the city to eventually improve its overall rankings, performance, and save money. 9 10 Background joined the EU, many Romanians left the country to pursue opportunities in Western Europe. Other factors responsible for this decline are the aging th population as well as the significant rise in the number of families with no The 7 largest country by population in the European Union (EU), children. Romania is predominantly urban, although the urbanization level Romania is located in Southeastern Europe, in the lower basin of the is still below that of countries in Western Europe; half of the population Danube River. It has a stretch of coastline along the Black Sea and also resides in municipalities, cities, and towns, while up to 10% lives in the incorporates within its borders much of the Danube Delta. Romania capital city. neighbors Hungary, Serbia to the West and South West, Bulgaria to the According to the 2012 census, the most populous cities in South, the Republic of Moldova to the East, and the Ukraine to the North Romania are the following: and East. Almost 50% of Romania’s territory is part of the Car pathian Mountains range. The country has a temperate continental climate, with Table 1. Ranking of select Romanian cities by population hot summers and cold winters. As part of the communist bloc countries for nearly half a century, Romania brought down the authoritarian regime City 2012 census 2002 census / Rank with the 1989 Revolution, and then it began its transition from a București 1,883,425 1,934,449 (#1) centralized system towards democracy and market economy by Cluj-Napoca 324,576 318,027 (#3) implementing a series of structural changes and reforms. If initially the Timișoara 319,279 317,651 (#4) economy was centered on agriculture, during communism it gradually Iași 290,422 321,580 (#2) shifted to an industrial one, ultimately making significant steps towards a Constanța 283,872 310,526 (#5) service-based economy over the past two decades. In 2004 Romania Craiova 269,506 302,622 (#6) joined NATO and three years later it became a member of the EU. Brașov 253,200 298,584 (#8) After a period of massive economic restructuring and political Galați 249,432 283,901 (#7) change, the country has taken significant steps to catch up with the Ploiești 209,945 232,452 (#9) economic performance of more developed EU countries. Although Oradea 196,367 206,527 (#11) government policies and radical reforms brought about significant improvements, income levels of Romanians are still behind the average Source: National Institute of Statistics, 2012 Census level in the EU countries. In addition, the disparities within Romania mean (www.recensamantromania.ro/rezultate-2/) that there are significant differences in terms of standards of living between the country’s regions. The country is divided into 41 counties , National Energy Efficiency Legislation plus the capital city, București (Bucharest), and into eight development Romania’s energy consumption per capita is almost twice as low as the regions (although regions do not yet have formal administrative powers, average in the EU, at 1.6 toe (ton of oil equivalent). Between 1990 and as of July 2013). Apart from București, each development region includes 2000, energy consumption fell by an average of 5 % per year, and then a growth pole center (city) and comprises four to seven counties. Despite increased slightly after 2000 by 1.3% per year. At the beginning of the being among the most populous countries in Europe, Romania has economic crisis in 2009, energy consumption dropped by 14 percent, and experienced a decline in population in recent years. The stable population then increased by only 1.3%in 2010. Amid the economic recession, the has gone down by 7.1% over the last decade, from 21.6 million to 20.1 country’s GDP followed a similar decreasing trend and fell by 8.3%. Energy million, according to the final results of the 2012 census. However, the efficiency at the national level has increased significantly between 1990 population decline did not necessarily come as a surprise. After Romania and 2000, from 23% to 39%. It is a consequence of the rising share of high 11 efficiency power sources (hydropower) in the electricity mix, as well as Government, in addition to investments in equipment to oversee energy improving efficiency of thermal power plants. However, it still remains consumption. Estimates indicate that EU countries that have implemented lower than the EU average. such agreements reached 10 to 20% in energy savings. Large consumers In the early 1990s, Romania created its first institutional must carry out energy audits and energy efficiency improvement framework for energy efficiency when the Romanian Agency for Energy programs, while an energy balance must be produced every year for those Conservation, the country’s main specialized body in the field of energy consuming 1,000 toe/year and every two years for those who use efficiency, was established. Ten years later Romania adopted the National between 200 and 1,000 toe/year. From 2000 onwards an energy saving Energy Efficiency Strategy, a document outlining steps to be taken to certificate has been issued for all new buildings, single-family dwellings increase energy efficiency. In the 2000s, Romania ratified the Kyoto and apartment that are sold or rented. Heat insulation work benefitted Protocol to the United Nations Conventions on Climate Change, under from tax breaks and co-financing was provided for renovation work. 4 which the country has committed to cut its emissions of greenhouses The Second Energy Efficiency Action Plan focuses on energy gases, between 2008 and 2012, by 8% from 1989 levels. savings in the primary energy and power sectors, and promotion of energy The Romanian Fund for Energy Efficiency became operational in from renewable sources. 5 2003 and ever since it has provided subsidies for investments to 27 energy The First National Strategy for Energy Efficiency for 2004-2015 efficiency projects promoted by large industrial operators, totalizing $14.4 set an ambitious 40% target in energy intensity reduction for the period 2 million. In order to comply with EU requirements, the Government 2005-2014. Decrease in energy intensity should be achieved through transposed the Directive No.2006/32/EC regarding energy efficiency programs promoting high energy standards for new installations, as among the end users and energy suppliers into national legislation, following: 41% in buildings, 29% in the energy sector, 16% in industry, and requiring EU member states to undertake steps to reduce energy 14% in transport. Few years later, the National Strategy for Energy 6 consumption by at least 9 % for 2008-2016, as compared to consumption Efficiency for the period 2007-2020 set further targets to reduce energy for the previous five years. intensity by 41% through 2020 by advancing feasible solutions to cover the country’s future energy demand at a lowest price. By then, estimated The Energy Road Map for Romania was approved in 2003 during the primary energy savings and reduction of losses should achieve anything negotiations for EU membership. Pursuant to EU Directive on energy between 25% and 40% (20-25% in industry, 40-50% in buildings, and 35- reduction, the First Energy Efficiency Action Plan for the period 2007- 40% in transport), by improving efficiency in the power sector. The energy 20103 set an energy saving target of 2.8 Million toe by 2016, and it further saving target was set to 3.4 Million toe by 2020. In this context, 1.9 Million aims for 1.5% annual reduction for the period 2008-2016. The toe saving is expected to come from fuel substitutions, 800 ktoe from high intermediate target of 940,000 toe by 2010 was far exceeded, as Romania achieved 2.2 Million toe in energy saving. The plan document foresees 4 great potential for energy savings for the industrial sector through Second Energy Efficiency Action Plan available at: voluntary long-term agreements between industrial agents and the http://www.minind.ro/dezbateri_publice/2011/PNAEE_12_cu_anexe_2_1108201 1.pdf 5 The First National Strategy for Energy Efficiency for the period 2004-2015 2 Romanian Fund for Energy Efficiency available at: http://www.minind.ro/domenii_sectoare/H163-04.html 6 http://www.free.org.ro/index.php?Itemid=112&id=96&lang=ro&option=com_cont National Strategy for Energy Efficiency for the period 2007-2020 - updated ent&task=view version for the period 2011-2020 available at: 3 First Energy Efficiency Plan for the period 2007-2010 available at: http://www.minind.ro/dezbateri_publice/2011/Strategie_2007_actualizata_2011_ http://ec.europa.eu/energy/demand/legislation/doc/neeap/romania_en.pdf 01092011.pdf 12 efficiency co-generation (Combined Heat and Power), and 600 ktoe from policy was drafted in 2010, in the very difficult context of the economic new coal-fired units. crisis. It encouraged the use of liquid bio-fuels, liquid gas, geothermal and The main objective of the National Strategy Regarding the clean energy, as well as the integration of biogas into the natural gas grid 7 Thermal Power Supply of Cities approved in 2004 addresses key issues and retrofitting technologies. The Directive 2009/28/EC on renewable concerning energy efficiency of the heating system. The thermal power energy set the national target for the share of energy from renewable supply system is built on obsolete technologies and old pipeline networks, sources in gross final production of energy at 24% for 2020. The expected with low energy efficiency, very high losses (35 % on average), in addition total energy consumption in 2020 was set at 30,278 ktoe, of which to high production, transport, and distribution costs. Poor insulation of 7,267ktoe in renewable energy. Targets for specific industrial sectors have buildings adds another 15% to the losses. Actions meant to increase been designed, such as 10% for transport, 22% for heating, and 42% for energy efficiency include implementation of large scale co-generation electricity. plants, modernization of network, diversification of primary energy used Romania received support from the European Bank for for thermal power production, and installation of meters in residential Reconstruction Development (EBRD) to help companies open credit lines buildings. Resource consumption for the centralized heating systems for energy efficiency projects. The country receives financial support should diminish by 612,000 tons. However, the modernization of the through the Operational Sector Program for Boosting Economic entire heating system is very costly, and it requires investment of billions Competitiveness aimed at increasing energy efficiency. Small and of euro. medium-sized enterprises may receive up to 65% financial support for a 8 The Strategy for Use of Renewable Energy Sources, approved in period of three years to help them obtain environmental certificates for 2003, encourages energy production from renewable sources in order to appliances and office equipment. 10 increase the share of electricity produced from such sources. Romania’s Government Ordinance 22/2008 regarding energy efficiency potential of renewable energy sources is estimated at 14,718 ktoe. and promotion of energy from renewable energy sources to end However, the development of such energy potential is constrained by consumers requires local public administrations in towns with a obsolete technological limitations, economic efficiency, and population greater than 20,000 people to produce action plans to environmental restrictions. Therefore, the plan is pushing for transfer of generate the most efficient energy savings in the shortest period of time unconventional technologies from experienced companies, joint-ventures, (3 to 6 years). Similarly, companies and local and central government units and private public partnerships. The target shares for renewable energy owning more than 25 vehicles must develop fuel consumption monitoring sources out of the total energy consumption were set at 33% for 2010, and management programs. 35% for 2015 and 38% for 2020. Use of renewable energy could result in The National Multiannual Program for the Thermal 1.8 Million toe energy saving from primary sources by 2020. The National Rehabilitation of the Residential Buildings Built between 1950 and 1990 9 Renewable Energy Action Plan outlining the renewable energy national started in 2005 and was improved each year. The program is coordinated by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration 7 National Strategy regarding the thermal power supply of cities http://www.termopitesti.ro/HG%20882-2004.pdf version is available at 8 The National Strategy for Using of Renewable Sources was approved by http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/action_plan_en.htm (click on Government Decision 1535/2003 available at: http://leg- “Romania”). 10 armonizata.minind.ro/leg_armonizata/energie/HG_1535_2003.pdf Government Ordinance 22/2008 available at: 9 The National Renewable Energy Action Plan – available at (in Romanian) http://www.dreptonline.ro/legislatie/og_eficienta_energetica_consumatori_finali http://www.minind.ro/pnaer/PNAER_29%20iunie_2010_final_Alx.pdf English _surse_regenerabile_energie_22_2008.php# 13 (MRDPA) and it is developed in partnership with local authorities. It aims buildings within municipalities that have applied for funding through the at increasing the energy performance of buildings, improving the quality Regional Operational Program (Priority Axis 1 Development of Growth of life for inhabitants and, not in the least, contributing to a better Poles– Intervention Axis 1.2 Thermal rehabilitation of residential townscape. Public buildings and dwellings built between 1950 and 1990 buildings) will not receive further support through the thermal are very poorly insulated and offer low thermal comfort, causing rehabilitation multiannual program. However, the good news is that the significant loss of energy. The key beneficiaries of the program are program has been extended to houses that have been developed between owners’ associations. Thermal insulation can reduce maintenance costs 1950 and 1990. The new regulation also clears the way for local for heating and hot water consumption and decrease heat loss and authorities to establish the so-called “thermal rehabilitation tax”. This tax consumption. It can achieve up to 25% energy efficiency, while the will be paid by buildings that did not have any financial contribution to the heating bills are expected to drop by 40% during winter time. Moreover, rehabilitation process. in the summer, rehabilitated buildings can better keep the appropriate Following the success of the rehabilitation program, the thermal comfort of the dwellings without additional costs for air Government thought about reducing the public funding accessible for conditioning. A guide regarding how the rehabilitation work should be such projects, and loans with government guarantee were made available. 11 14 done is available on the Ministry’s website . According to Emergency Ordinance 69/2010 owners associations must 12 A few years later, Government Ordinance 18/2009 regarding have 10% down payment, while the rest is covered from a bank loan. The the thermal rehabilitation of blocks of flats added more consistency to the owners’ associations pay back the loan from the savings obtained over the program by specifying the minimum level of the thermal rehabilitation. heating bills before the thermal insulation work is complete. This new The execution work is financially supported from Government’s state program includes old buildings built between 1950 and 1990, those budget (50%), the local budget (30%), and by owners’ associations (20%). developed after 1990, and individual homes. Since 2009 MDRAP provided funding equivalent to USD 190 million (RON The Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of the 15 660 million) for the rehabilitation of 3,500 multi-story residential buildings buildings requires the Member States to adopt a methodology for in over 100 municipalities and cities. The law allows for the local city calculating the energy performance of the buildings, that should include councils to grant tax exemptions on residential buildings for owners who thermal characteristics, heating insulation, water supply, the air- have performed rehabilitation work from their own funds. conditioning installations, the built-in lighting installations, indoor climatic At the end of 2012, Government Emergency Ordinance conditions, and not in the least, electricity produce by co-generation. The 13 63/2012 brought some changes to the rehabilitation program EU law is concerning both existing and new buildings. The law is coordinated by the MRDPA. According to new regulations, residential exempting the historical buildings, worship facilities, temporary buildings, residential buildings intended for a limited annual time of use, and stand- 11 The guide is available at: alone buildings of which the surface area does not exceed 50 square http://www.mdrt.ro/userfiles/constructii_ancheta_publica_contr429_contr411.pd meters. The main objective of the law is to have all new building close to f) 12 Government Ordinance 18/2009 available at: 14 http://www.mdrl.ro/_documente/lucrari_publice/reabilitare_termica/OUG_reabil Emergency Ordinance 69/2010 approved by Law 76/2011 available at: itare.pdf Methodological regulations available at: http://www.dreptonline.ro/legislatie/oug_69_2010_reabilitarea_termica_cladirilo http://www.mdrl.ro/_documente/lucrari_publice/reabilitare_termica/Norme.pdf r_locuit_finantare_credite_bancare_garantie_guvernamentala.php 13 15 Government Emergency Ordinance 63/2012 available at: Directive 31/2010/EC available at http://eur- http://www.mdrt.ro/dezvoltare-regionala/programul-operational-regional-2007- lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32010L0031:EN:NOT 2013/-8748 14 nearly zero-energy by December 2020. Same criteria are applicable by can also provide financial support between 7% and 63% of the total st December 31 , 2018 to new buildings occupied and owned by public heating bill. authorities. Member States should come up with national plans that put Sixty-one cities in Romania are signatories of the Covenant of into practice the definition of nearly zero-energy building, and the Mayors, the mainstream European movement involving local and regional intermediate targets for improving the energy performance of new authorities voluntarily committing to increasing energy efficiency and use buildings by 2015. At the same time, the Member States must issue an of renewable energy sources on their territories, as well as reducing CO 2 energy performance certificates that should include the energy emissions by 20% by 2020. Participants to the Covenant must submit a performance of the building along with recommendations for cost Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) outlining actions they plan to improvements. This certificate should be available when renting and undertake with regard to energy savings. 22 out of 61 cities have selling a building/unit. The municipal buildings with a total floor area of submitted their SEAP to Brussels, namely: Aiud, Sântana, Petrosani, over 500 square meters and buildings of the same size frequently visited Făgăraș, Zlatna, Moinesti, Arad, București (District 1), Baia Mare, by public, must display the energy performance certificate in a prominent Timișoara, Cugir, Satu Mare, Vaslui, Alba Iulia, Bistrița, Mizil, Slobozia, place where this could be clearly visible. After July 9, 2015 the 500 square Brașov, Râmnicu Vâlcea, Avrig, and more recently Cluj-Napoca. meters threshold will lower to 250 square meters. As part of EU requirements, Romania adopted Law 372/2005 Energy Sector addressing the energy performance of residential buildings. An energy At the end of 2012, Romania’s installed capacity of electrical power plants performance certificate is issued based on the final energy consumption was 18,481 MW, while the netto available power was 15,998 MW, 19 of buildings and apartments. The country also transposed into national according to Transelectrica. The netto power provided was 11,424 MW, 16 legislation EU Directive 2003/30 EC on the promotion of the use of bio- and domestic consumption accounted for 7,413 MW. In February 2013 fuels or other renewable fuels for transport. Government Emergency the split of domestic consumption by types of energy production showed 17 Ordinance 1844/2005 established a 2% share of renewable energy in the that the largest share is based on coal (33% - 2,593 MW), followed by transport sector by the date of Romania’s accession to EU (2007) and a hydro carbons (23.9% - 1,877 MW), hydro energy (24.8% - 1,948 MW), 5.75% share by 2010. and nuclear (18.1% - 1,419 MW). Wind energy is almost nonexistent, with 18 The Government Emergency Ordinance 70/2011 establishes only 0.3% or 24 MW. social protection measures for the cold season, helping low-income The electricity sector is unbundled, with several players in the residents pay the heating bills. The Government is supporting people who field. There are quite a few companies in charge with production, a use the district heating system, as well as heating systems using a significant number of distributors, and a noteworthy number of suppliers. different type of fuel, be it natural gas, wood, coal, etc. The financial aid However, there is only one player responsible for energy transmission and range for single people and families with low income benefitting from aid who owns the entire transmission network, Transelectrica, a state-owned from the state budget can range between 10 and 90%. Local city budget company. Energy production is divided into seven major producers, 20 namely Complexul Energetic Oltenia, Complexul Energetic Hunedoara, 16 Directive 2003/30/EC available at: http://eur- 19 lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2003:123:0042:0042:EN:PDF RET Plan - Period 2010-2014, and perspectives for 2019 17 Government Emergency Ordinance 1844/2005 available at: http://www.transelectrica.ro/PDF/Planul%20de%20Perspectiva%20al%20RET%20 http://ngo.ro/pipermail/mediu_ngo.ro/2006-February/004597.html 2010-2014-2019%2013dec.pdf 18 20 Government Emergency Ordinance 70/2011 regarding social protection Complexul Energetic Oltenia was established in 2012 after the merger of four measures in the cold season. large energetic companies, namely Societatea Nationala a Lignitului Oltenia Tg. Jiu, 15 Nuclear Electrica, CE Arad, SC Electrocentrale Deva, Hidroeletrica, and fermentation of sediment from sewage treatment of used waters. Energy OMV Petrom. CEZ, ENEL Energie Muntenia, Enel Energie, E.ON, and producers receive a Green Certificate for each MW of energy produced Electrica Distributie (with its three branches, namely Electrica Distributie from renewable energy and sent to the national grid. The law is forcing Transilvania Nord, Electrica Distribuție Transilvania Sud, and Electrica suppliers to purchase a mandatory quota of green certificates from the Distribuție Muntenia Nord) are the distribution companies. Energy total amount of electricity distributed to the end users. A number of distributors are by default energy suppliers. Accordingly, the main certificates are annually available. The Green Certificate has unlimited suppliers are Electrica Furnizare, CEZ, ENEL Energie (responsible for validity, and it can be traded separately from the electricity associate Dobrogea and Banat zones), ENEL Energie Muntenia, and E.ON Energie through bilateral contracts or on the green certificates centralized market. Romania. Of 177 energy suppliers registered in the country, only 20 The price varies from 27 EUR (to protect the producer) to 55 EUR (to companies are actually active. protect the consumer). At the end of 2012, 300 Million Green Certificates were available in Romania for the period 2013-2019. The EU approved in 21 The Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) was established in July 2012 an additional distribution of 71.4 Million Certificates for 1999 and is the regulatory body in the field of electricity (including heat greenhouse emissions for 2013-2019. produced in co-generation) and natural gas. The Agency is dealing with Recently, in June 2013, the Romanian government reviewed the licensing, issuing technical and commercial regulations, and protecting of compensation scheme granted to renewable energy producers, and cut the interests of consumers and investors. The agency regulates tariffs for off the number of green certificates, as a „temporary suspension” until energy and natural gas for domestic and non-domestic clients, approves March 2017 for hydro and solar/photovoltaic energy, and by January 2018 22 the calculation methodology to set up tariffs and prices, and sets tariffs for wind energy . The new provisions, which are effective July 1st, 2013, for captive consumers (those who cannot choose the energy provider). It are amending the Law 220/2008 for promoting energy from renewable also establishes tariffs for electricity companies, transmission and sources. The new law is cutting down the number of green certificates. distribution systems and for activities associated with heat production For each 1 MWh produced, the new small hydro plants with an installed through co-generation. OPCOM is the Romanian energy market operator capacity of less or equal to 10 MW will receive one green certificate less, established in 2000, as a joint stock company subsidiary of the Romanian same for the wind energy plants. In case of solar energy facilities, the Transmission and System Operator, Transelectrica. The company is number of green certificates was cut down by two. In this way, the new providing the framework for the commercial trades’ deployment on the small hydro plants would get 2 certificates instead of three, the solar wholesale electricity market; it exercises the role of Day-Ahead market plants would be awarded four certificates instead of six, while the wind operator and administrator of the Green Certificates, as well as of the facilities would receive one certificate instead of two. greenhouses emissions certificates trading platform. Green Certificate is a Following the legislative elections in December 2012, the new mechanism promoting energy produced from renewable sources such as structure of the Government includes a Delegated Minister for Energy, a from hydro used in power plants with installed capacity up to 10 MW of new institution expected to add more consistency to the country’s energy wind, solar (photovoltaic), geothermal and natural gas associated, policies. biomass, biogas, gas from the landfill waste fermentation and from Complex Energetic Turceni, Complex Energetic Craiova, and Complex Energetic 22 Rovinari. More information available at: 21 More information on ANRE available at: http://www.anre.ro/ http://media.hotnews.ro/media_server1/document-2013-04-2-14540999-0- proiect-privind-suspendarea-schemei-sprijin.pdf 16 Liberalization of the natural gas and electricity markets length in Constanța and Mamaia spans over 20 kilometers facing east. Due The Memorandum of Understanding agreed with the IMF, the World to its proximity to the water, Constanța is the warmest city in Romania, Bank, and the European Commission in March 2012 opens the market for with hot and humid summers with a touch of tropical influences and mild electricity and natural gas. The regulated price for electricity for domestic winters. The average annual temperature in the region is around 11 and non-domestic consumers will be gradually eliminated by 2017, while degrees Celsius, the highest in the country. for natural gas the same principle will be applied by 2018. At the cross roads of a few important commercial transport The price increase for natural gas for non-domestic consumers routes, Constanța is a core commercial center connecting Europe from (economic agents and industrial consumers) is going to be 35% for years East to West and from South to North, and ensures a link between Eastern 2013 and 2014 altogether. For domestic consumers, the price will go up Europe and Central Asia. The Constanța Metropolitan area is crossed by by 10% in 2013, by another 10% in 2014, and by 12% each year from 2015 some of the most valuable natural gas networks at the European level, as through 2018. Electricity prices will go up gradually, in parallel with the well as high-voltage transmission lines interconnected to energy European increasing of the quota of electricity traded in the free market. The price systems. The Port of Constanța plays an important role for the transit of of electricity for non-domestic consumers went up already starting in mineral resources, natural gas, and hydrocarbons from CIS countries, September 2012, when the quota traded in the free market increased by Central Asia, and Trans-Caucasus to Western and Central Europe. 15%, with an additional 30% in January 2013. The elimination of regulated tariffs will be complete by January 2017. Domestic consumers will pay Constanța, a city on the Black Sea coast more starting July 2013. By the end of 2017 when the gradual elimination of regulated price will be concluded, domestic consumers will be able to choose their energy supplier. The supplier must introduce the “competitive market component” to the final bill, providing to the clients information that should help them choose the best offer, such as prices depending on voltage, tariffs for transport and distribution, payment methods and due days, and meter readings. Background Constanța Constanța is located on the Black Sea coast, in Dobrogea region, and is on the Eastern border of the European Union. It is at a couple of hours drive east from București, and about an hour away from the border with Bulgaria. Constanța is the capital of the county with the same name and the fourth most populous city after București. The city is in the vicinity of Source: www.en.wikipedia.org Port of Constanța, which is the biggest harbor on the Black Sea and the fourth largest in Europe, with an area of nearly 40 square kilometers and a Furthermore, Constanța is on Pan European Corridor IV connecting length of about 30 kilometers. Western Europe from Berlin/Nuremberg to the Southern Europe, to Mamaia, one of the most modern and popular beaches in the Thessaloniki and Istanbul. It is also on the Pan European maritime corridor region attracting millions of tourists every year, is located just on the VII on the Danube River connecting the Black Sea to the North Sea via the outskirts of Constanța, and is an administrative unit of the city. The beach Danube-Black Sea Channel, the Main, the Rhine, and Rotterdam in the 17 Netherlands. The city is located on several European routes: on E 60 in Constanța County. The municipal area is spread over 124.8 square linking Western Europe to Central Asia, on E 87 running from Odessa in kilometers, and has a density of 2,273 inhabitants per square kilometer. Ukraine to Antalya in Turkey, and on E 70 connecting Spain to Georgia. The region is recognized for its linguistic, religious, and ethnic diversity. Although the Constanța growth pole is some distance away from other Around 10% of the residents belong to different minority groups, including urban centers in the region, the Sunshine Highway (Autostrada Soarelui), Turks, Tatars, Greeks, and Bulgarians. The Constanța Metropolitan area recently completed in full, is helping connect the city to the Western part gathers 425,916 inhabitants, which accounts for over 62% of the of the country, going all the way to Bucureşti. In addition, the city is linked population of the county, and is spread over 1,013 square kilometers to popular seaside resorts to the south. The city’s location at the Black Sea (around 30% of the total surface area of the county.) In addition to the allows for all means of transportations, i.e., by water using different permanent residents, there is a daily minimum average of 120,000 routes (the Port of Constanța, the Danube-Black Sea Channel, the seasonal workers and tourists during the summer. The metropolitan area Danube), highway (via București), railway, and airport. The airport is comprises a number of 14 localities: one municipal city - Constanța, five located in Mihail Kogălcineanu, a commune approximately 24 kilometers cities - Năvodari, Ovidiu, Murfatlar, Eforie, and Techirghiol - and eight away from the city, from where flights connect Constanța to a few cities in communes, namely Mihail Kogălniceanu, Corbu, Lumina, Poarta Albă, the country and to a couple of destinations in Turkey. Since 2009, Mihail Cumpăna, Agigea, Valu lui Traian, and Tuzla. Kogălniceanu hosts a US permanent military base, a factor that makes Today, Constanța is not only Romania’s second largest tourist Constanța play an important strategic role in the region. center after București but also one of the key commercial and industrial cities in the country. The local economy has a complex structure, relying Mamaia, the most popular beach resort in Romania mainly on oil industry, tourism, port activities, ship building, and maritime trade and transport. A number of port-specific sectors are among the growth pole’s strongest economic engines. There is a refinery north of the city, which brings an important contribution to the local economy. Manufacturing of refined petroleum products makes up almost 30% of the revenues in the metropolitan area. The dynamics of port activities and maritime transport in the mid-2000s boosted economic development throughout Constanța County, a factor that has increased the stability of the labor market. Tourism, food processing, chemical and petro-chemical, automotive, textile, energy, and wood processing are among the most active industrial sectors in the region. The private sector is fairly well developed through a number of small and medium-sized enterprises. In the mid-2000s, the level of foreign direct investments in Constanța area increased significantly compared to previous years. 60% of investments have been directed to the services sector, whereas 25% went to Source: www.tourismaker.com constructions and 16% to industry. The unemployment rate in the Constanța Metropolitan Area decreased in the 2000s, from 8.4% in 2002 According to the final results of the 2012 census, there are 283,872 people to 3.6% in 2007, below the average figure of 4.4% at national level at that living in Constanța city, a decrease by 9% over the last decade. The time. population of the city makes up 41% of the total number of people living 18 During the real-estate boom in Romania in the mid-2000s, proximity to beach resorts and the availability of a wide variety of Constanța became one of the most expensive cities in the country. As a entertainment options, Constanța has impressive archeological treasures, consequence, many of the local residents moved to the metropolitan historical monuments, museums, and ancient ruins. The vineyards, area. In the last few years, the local authorities tried to work out solutions traditional villages, monuments and the famous Danube Delta, known for for bringing back people into the city. To this end, an affordable housing being the best preserved delta as such in Europe, add to the regional project was developed between 2008 and 2012 by building a large attractions. Constanța is also home to a number of museums, a mosque, residential complex housing 1,200 apartments, dedicated primarily to and 164 monuments. Among them is the statue of Ovidius, the ancient young people who used to live or work in the city in the past. The City Hall Roman poet, which is displayed in the historical center in front of the contributed with the land and also set up the utilities (e.g., water, sewage, Archeological Museum. district heating, etc.). The cost of such housing is relatively affordable, as compared to the market, i.e., between EUR 475 and EUR 519 per square Local Energy Efficiency Laws meter. Constanța is the growth pole in the country that did not take part to the The landmark of the city is the Casino, a beautiful rococo style rehabilitation of the residential building program built between 1950 and th 1990, coordinated by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public construction built in early 20 Century, located on the sea shore. The building is finally set to undergo rehabilitation work and, subsequently, Administration (MRDPA). In addition to the money from the national will be opened to public. budget, the program involved 30% financial contribution from the local budget. According to the city government representatives, the Constanța The Casino in Constanța City Hall did not want to spend funds from the local budget for rehabilitation work, as most of the city residents are doing fairly well financially and, reportedly, have enough money to thermally insulate the buildings they live in on their own expenses. However, there are around 1,800 residential buildings in Constanța that need rehabilitation work. The city managers hope that this could be performed with support from the next financial programming of the EU structural funds. Two towns in the metropolitan area have benefitted from the program managed by the MRDPA, namely Năvodari and Eforie. Between 2009 and 2011, Năvodari received RON 5.1 million for thermal insulation of 543 apartments, while RON 729,221 was directed to rehabilitate 255 apartments in Eforie. The Constanța City Council grants tax breaks for a period of seven years for apartment owners who perform rehabilitation and thermal insulation work on their expense. Following the rehabilitation process, the owners are entitled to receive an energy certificate that Source: www.all-free-photos.com confirms that the apartment or the building underwent thermal insulation work. Some tax exemptions are also awarded to property owners who Constanța is home to 6 public and private universities, including the replace the classical heating systems with renewable energy ones by Constanța Maritime University, and five research and development installing solar panels, heating pumps, and individual micro-heating units facilities specialized in maritime research and viticulture. Apart of the 19 running on bio-mass. Also, owners who renovate the façade of their geothermal, and wind energy coordinated by the Ministry of Environment. buildings benefit from tax breaks for a period of five years. For instance, the Home for the Elderly in Constanța is among the local Constanța Municipality Strategy for Sustainable Development, beneficiaries of this program. known as Local Agenda 21, was prepared in 2006 with the support of the 23 Urban Growth and Energy Efficiency Challenges in Constanța United Nations Development Program. The document outlines the measures that the city should undertake in the field of energy efficiency. While the TRACE tool does not directly address this issue, one of the most District heating and transport were two of the sectors that have been on efficient ways of encouraging energy efficiency in cities is by promoting the agenda in oder to improve energy consumption. For example, a EUR dense development patterns and compact urban expansion. This can be 20 million four-year project has been designed to modernize and upgrade done by using spatial planning tools strategically. The less dense and the part of the district heating network. Another EUR 35 million project was more scattered a city is, the larger its energy expenditure becomes. aimed at setting up micro-thermal units connected to the main district Basically, without density, public transportation is less viable and more heating plant. The Environmental Protection Agency Constanța in people rely on private cars for commuting. Also, commutes in private cars partnership with City Hall made an assessment on using non-conventional tend to be longer in sprawled areas and city streets tend to get congested, fuel for public transport. Agenda 21 also laid down a few initiatives in with cars spending more time in traffic. Water and sewage networks have support of enforcing pollution prevention and control. The “Green to cover a much wider area, requiring more energy for pumping and water Forestry” project sought to reduce pollution and slow down the delivery. Garbage trucks have to run longer collection routes and spend desertification process by setting a forest curtain of 2.5 million square more time delivering waste to disposal sites. The street lighting network meters around the city beltway. has to cover a greater number of streets and consume more energy. Last In the mid-2000s, the City of Constanța was granted EUR 100,000 but not least, the district heating network becomes less viable in areas from the Norwegian Government to support economic agents assimilate with small density because of the high production and distribution costs, what was called the “Cleaner Production and Energy Efficiency and because heat losses tend to be proportional to the network size. Such Methodology.” The project was developed between 2005 and 2006 in examples and others suggest that there are significant benefits of partnership with Norwegian Energy Efficiency Group, the Norwegian compact, carefully planned urban growth and nearly every key area in the Society of Chartered Technical and Scientific Professionals, and the TRACE analysis is deeply tied to density patterns and trends. Pollution Prevention Center București. A number of experts have been As a World Bank study has shown, the large majority of cities trained on environmental issues and manuals have been developed for worldwide (whether they are located in the developed or the developing environment quality and environment management. world) are losing density. As more people come to rely on cars, they are The Local Council set up a municipal commission on energy also more willing to move further away from city centers. With an efficiency, in a move to comply with the provisions of the Government increase in expandable incomes, they can also afford larger homes. Ordinance 22/2008 regarding energy efficiency and promoting the use of Local authorities, however, are not powerless in addressing those renewable energy sources to end consumers. Constanța is involved in a challenges. They have a number of tools they can use to ensure that the national program designed to improve air, water, and soil quality by loss in density is managed and that the city expands in an organized, replacing conventional heating systems with those that use solar, compact, and sustainable fashion. The challenge is of course to do spatial planning at the metropolitan level. Even if sound planning tools are well 23 Agenda Locala 21 is available at: http://www.primaria- implemented in the center city, if they are lacking or are poorly Constanța.ro/Fisiere/Proiecte/AL21Rom.pdf implemented in peri-urban areas, the growth pole as a whole suffers. 20 The urban mass of the Constanța growth pole very dense. Thus, there is little scope, for example, for the development of an integrated metropolitan public transport network, although within a 40-minute driving buffer Constanța has both the largest population and the largest economic density of all seven growth poles in Romania. The economic density bump can be explained by the presence of the oil refinery close to Năvodari. The relatively high population, but low population density within the built mass, may be an indication of the predominantly rural character of much of the Constanța growth pole area, but also an indication of its tourism profile (e.g., in a resort town like Eforie, much of the built mass is taken up by hotels, with few permanent residences). Although the topography of Constanța is relatively flat, the positioning of the growth pole along the Black Sea guides development according to a longitudinal pattern. This geographic feature of the city may push the development and improvement of connective infrastructure along a North-South axis, along the banks of the Black Sea. The travel times from different points of the growth poles to the center of Constanța are likely to be higher than if the growth pole would have developed tightly around the urban core. However, this pattern of urban location and expansion makes sense from an economic point of view, because the Black Sea coast offers the most favorable locations for summer tourism and for various trade activities. As the number of commuters grows, the city’s congestion and pollution aggravate proportionally. If the quality of life is perceived to be decreasing (despite its pleasant geographic location), Constanța will be increasingly exposed to the risk of losing its most critical resource needed for continued economic growth – its people. This is why achieving sustainable development and building a highly efficient city are critical The spatial expansion of the Constanța growth pole has been rather tasks for local authorities. In reaching these aims, they should deploy modest. Between 1992 and 2012, the area has grown by only 11%. spatial planning as a powerful instrument for guiding the city’s expansion Constanța is the locality that has registered the largest absolute built mass in an adequate manner. growth in the region, but in relative terms it was surpassed by some of the neighboring localities in the wider metropolitan area, such as Ovidiu, Cumpăna, or Năvodari, confirming a trend of moving to the sub-urbs, noticed in other large Romanian cities like Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Brașov, and București. In addition, none of Constanța’s peri-urban localities are 21 22 Constanța Sector Analysis 0.3567 per kWh of electricity at low voltage (up to 1 kV), and RON 0.2773 per kWh at medium voltage (between 1 and 110 kV), in addition to a daily tariff of RON 0.1715. Some users may go for a monomial tariff with Power Sector consumption included. In this case, the rates are the following: for low The main electricity company in Constanța is Enel, an Italian energy group voltage electricity it is RON 0.3567 per kWh and RON 0.4927 for the daily operating in Romania since 2005. The operator is one of the largest charge, while for medium voltage energy the tariff is set at RON 0.2773 private investors in the country in the field of energy. At present, Enel per kWh, in addition to RON 0.4214 for the daily charge. Another option is caters to 2.7 million people in three main regions in Romania - Muntenia the monomial price with a reserved tariff for three different periods. This Sud (including București), Banat, and Dobrogea - accounting for a third of plan works well for those who use less energy in the peak-load (from 8 the energy market in the country. Just like other important energy players AM to 7 PM), and consume more during the weekends and off peak-load in Romania, Enel is responsible for both distribution and supply of instead. People who prefer this plan may end up paying anything between electricity. The company is currently implementing a five-year project with RON 0.2113 per kWh and RON 0.8089 per kWh, in addition to the daily a total value of EUR 800 million aimed at modernizing the electricity charge of RON 0.1715. distribution infrastructure. Enel Dobrogea supplies electricity to four counties, namely Constanța, Tulcea, Călărași, and Ialomița. High voltage electricity pillars The total electricity network length in the Constanța metropolitan area is 1,654 kilometers. According to the Constanța Integrated Development Plan (IDP), a document prepared in 2010, the average monthly electricity consumption for domestic consumers in the wider metropolitan area is approximately 41,480 MWh (41,480,000 kWh). According to this figure, it can be assumed that the area uses nearly 500,000,000 kWh of electricity per year. The Romanian electricity regulatory body, ANRE, sets the price for captive consumers, domestic clients who do not have the technical capability to choose their electricity provider or connect directly to the network. Some economic agents fall in the same category of captive consumers, so they pay the same tariffs set by ANRE. The price of electricity depends on actual consumption, time of day, type of electricity, level of voltage, and consumer category. People with low income pay the so-called social tariffs, available since 2005 for all domestic consumers Source: www.gmelectric.eu whose monthly revenue is less than or equal to the minimum wage. They can pay as low as RON 0.1982 for 2 kWh per day, RON 0.4757 if they The captive consumers can select different tariffs for day and night. In consume between 2 and 3 kWh a day, and RON 0.9378 if they exceed 3 addition to the daily reservation fee of RON 0.1715, they pay RON 0.5682 kWh daily. per kWh of electricity during daytime and RON 0.1848 per kWh for low The domestic consumers who choose the monomial price - a voltage electricity in the nighttime; and RON 0.4491 per kWh during single tariff regardless of the amount of energy consumed - must pay RON daytime and RON 0.1453 kWh during nighttime for medium voltage power. 23 As far as eligible consumers go (i.e., economic agents and Due to its geographical position on the sea shore, Constanța County has industrial operators), they can pick among several plans. The differential the highest potential for wind-energy production in the country. The binomial option includes three types of tariffs, namely for active and region gathers one of the most important wind energy plants in Romania. reactive electricity, as well as for intensity. Accordingly, they pay between One of them was developed in 2011 by Petrom, the country’s largest oil RON 0.2070 and RON 0.6672 per kWh of active energy, a monthly plan company, at Dorobanțu, a locality about 39 km North-West of Constanța. that could range from RON 240 to RON 1,260 (depending on the type of The wind park operates with 18 turbines with a total installed capacity of intensity), and from RON 0.0536 to RON 0.0670 per kWh of reactive 54 MW. By the end of 2012, the company was expecting to reach an energy. annual net production of almost 144,000 MWh. The Constanța County plays a very important role in the country’s The major private investment in the field of renewable energy in energy sector. It is home to the only nuclear plant in Romania, located at Romania has been developed approximately 50 kilometers away from Cernavodă, about 60 kilometers away from Constanța city. The facility has Constanța. In November 2012 the largest coastal wind farm in Europe been acknowledged as the most modern and safest nuclear electric power located at Fântanele-Cogealac launched its operations. The EUR 1.1 billion plant in Central and Eastern Europe, using one of the most advanced and project was developed by CEZ, an important energy producer and supplier efficient technologies (CANDU-type reactor based on Canadian in Central and Eastern Europe with a noteworthy market share in the technology). Units 1 and 2 are fully operational, while units 3 and 4 are in southern part of Romania. The wind park has an installed capacity of 600 the early planning stages. Currently, the plant operates at 20% of its MW. It operates with 240 turbines with an installed capacity of 2.5 MW capacity. The energy produced by the units 1 and 2 amounts to 1,400 MW each. The onshore wind farm can provide energy for 1 million households of electricity annually, which accounts for 20% of Romania’s annual annually. This energy produced by this wind farm could account for 10% energy production. The nuclear based energy enables the country to of Romania’s share of renewable energy market. reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 10 million tons each year. CEZ’s wind park at Fântânele-Cogealac Nuclear Power Plant at Cernavodă Source: www.ro.wikipedia.org Source: www.finantistii.ro 24 Currently, another wind park project is under way. The 264 hectares main challenges faced by the local government. There are more lighting facility is located at Corbu, approximately 24 kilometers north of Mamaia, poles placed on the main roads in the city than on other streets. There is and will have 24 MW installed capacity, with 8 turbines of 3 MW capacity generally one lighting pole for traffic, which is installed on the side of the each. Once completed, this EUR 30 million investment should be able to road and facing the street, and another pole located on the sidewalk, produce 50,000 of MWh electricity per year. which is meant primarily for pedestrians. Street Lighting Street lighting pole in Constanța Until February 2013, the street lighting in Constanța was operated by two private companies, Luxten and Flash Lighting Services, respectively. In 2001, the two companies signed a concession agreement with the Constanța City Hall for 12 years, covering street lighting operation, modernization, and maintenance services. Since the contracts ended in February 2013, the City Hall extended the agreements for another year only for maintenance services. Meanwhile, the local government has to organize a tender to choose the new street lighting operator. It is likely that the city managers will again select two companies, in order to enhance competitions between them, so the city would get better services. Until 2013, the street lighting management infrastructure was managed by Confort Urban, a public entity under the Constanța Local Council. Recently, the infrastructure management was taken over by special division within the City Hall. Over the last decade, the street lighting system in Constanța has undergone serious rehabilitation work. Like in many other cities in After Luxten and Flash Lighting System won the tender for the street Romania, all old mercury bulbs have been replaced with modern, more lighting system in Constanta in the early 2000s, the companies took on a efficient sodium vapor lamps. Currently, the streets of Constanța and very large project designed to improve the system in the city and bring it Mamaia are lit by 23,754 lighting poles, covering 511 kilometers of roads. closer to European standards. Under a EUR 18 million project (with money At present, nearly 90% of the streets are lit. The city uses four types of from the local budget), more than 2,700 new metal and concrete pillars lamps, with an intensity ranging from 70 Watt to 400 watt. Annually, the were set up, in addition to 4,965 fiber glass poles and 15,000 lamps. street lamps in the city are used for about 6,105 hours. At present, the The city needs 559 kWh of electricity per lighting pole, almost like lighting poles are the property of the City Hall. Some of them used to Brașov. This figure places Constanța rather in the lower of the TRACE belong to Enel, the electricity provider, but the company has given up on database comparable cities with similar climate. The city is performing them soon after the poles were rehabilitated. In addition, RAT Constanța, better than Timișoara, Ploiești, Iași, or Skopje, but it is behind Craiova. the local public transport company, used to own some of the poles when trolleybuses operated in the city; now they belong to the City Hall as well. Over time, the lighting poles often had to be moved from one place to another because of land/property ownership issues, which is one of the 25 Electricity consumed per Lighting Pole (kWhe/lighting pole) In 2012, the electricity consumed for street lighting throughout the year (including holiday lighting and building illumination) amounted to 13.2 million kWh, for which the City Hall paid RON 6.2 million. Enel, the electricity company, is responsible for switching on the lights in the evening, through a clock-switcher, according to a schedule depending on the season and the level of brightness. As the two private operators have ended most of their responsibilities pertaining to the street lighting system in the city (pending the award of a new contract), a technical team from the City Hall checks the poles once in a while to see if there is something wrong with the connection or if the bulbs went off. In addition, some verification is done also by Comfort Urban, the public entity in charge with the management of the street lighting infrastructure. However, most of the time, the system relies on residents calling in and notifying the City Hall of any issues with the lighting poles. When it comes to electricity consumed per kilometer of lit road, the city is Currently, the city does not have a dimming program, but the performing reasonably well. The electricity consumption for 1 kilometer of local government is thinking about introducing this system in the future. lit road amounts to 29,110 kWh, a figure that places Constanța in the The plans include further modernization of the street lighting system, middle of the TRACE database comparable to cities with similar climate. expansion of service to the newly emerged neighborhoods in the city, and The city is doing better than Sarajevo or Craiova, but it needs more energy rehabilitation of some of the old poles that used to belong to RAT than other growth poles in Romania, like Iași and Cluj-Napoca. For Constanța. The local authorities also have ambitious plans to introduce example, in order to light one kilometer of streets, Constanța uses twice LED-based street lighting in newly developed neighborhoods in the city, as much energy as Brașov. with support from the Regional Operational Programme. At present, a few projects, including the rehabilitation of the seafront from Vraja Marii (a well-known spot for residents) all the way to Electricity consumed per km of lit road (kWhe/ km of lit road) Mamaia, and the redevelopment of the historical center are under way. Both projects have a component pertaining to street lighting, as new lamps and lighting pillars will be installed in designated areas. Additionally, the City Hall submitted a proposal under the 2007-2013 ROP for rehabilitation and modernization of the public lighting system in the city. If approved, this would replace 3,231 lighting poles and expand the network by 33.6 kilometers. 26 Municipal Buildings Constanța is twice less than in Ploiești, three times less than in Pristina, The total municipal building stock of Constanța comprises a few hundred and almost 5 times less than in Belgrade. units, most of them including a few facilities. Most public buildings in the Almost all municipal buildings in the city are connected to the city are education facilities, i.e., 87 schools, 56 kindergartens and district heating network. When it comes to thermal heating, Constanța is daycares, and 28 high schools and colleges. Each of them includes performing better than most of the cities with similar population from the additional facilities, such as sports halls, dorms, dining halls, performing TRACE database. In 2012, the city needed 16.8 million kWhth, which arts halls, etc. The city has a few health-care facilities, a number of stands for an average consumption of 44 kWhth per square meter. This is performing arts centers, and six public libraries. In addition, there are a the lowest heat consumption per square meter, among the seven growth number of administrative offices (including four buildings of the City Hall), poles. a few offices headquartering the Local Police, the Local Finances, the Office for Social Assistance, the Elderly Care Home, the Folk Art Museum, Municipal Buildings heat consumption (kWhth per square meter) the local enforcement agencies, and the Casino. The floor area of the municipal buildings in Constanța comprises 383,476 square meters. In 2012, the total electricity consumption in these units amounted to 4.5 million kWh, which stands for 11.8 kWh per square meter. By far, this is the lowest figure in the entire TRACE database, and also compared to cities with similar population. Muncipal buildings electricity consumption (kWhe per square meter) These results make sense, particularly given that winters in Constanța are milder compared to the rest of the country, so the city generally needs less heat. For instance, the heat consumed in the Constanța is three times less than in Timișoara and four times less than in Cluj-Napoca or Brașov. Overall, the energy expenditure for all municipal buildings in Constanța cost the City Hall budget USD 2.1 million, which accounts for 1.62%. Because Constanța has mild winters, this means that relatively few energy efficiency investments have been done in municipal buildings The electricity consumption in the municipal buildings in Constanța is the in recent years, compared to other cities in Romania. Between 2000 and lowest compared to similar cities in Eastern Europe. The city is also 2007, the local municipality implemented rehabilitation programs in performing better than other growth poles in Romania. For example, the several municipal schools and kindergartens in the city. Such investments amount of electricity per square meter used in the public buildings in primarily included installation of new micro-heating units, replacement of old windows with new modern double-paned windows and of tiles with 27 modern ones, new floors, and renovation of the buildings’ façade. New The Jean Bart School in Constanța neighborhood thermal points were built, reducing the distance from the buildings to the central heating system. Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Constanța Source: www.jeanbart.scoli.edu.ro In 2011, the municipality launched a EUR 8 million modular housing project for low-income people. The project called the “Henri Coandă Source: www.cugetliber.ro Social Campus” is spread over 6 hectares in the Tomis Nord neighborhood, in the northern part of Constanța. The initial investments are made by In addition, some renovation work has been performed to some of the construction companies, and subsequently the City Hall has to reimburse educational institutions in Constanța in 2012, when RON 1.8 million were the money in five years upon the completion of the units. Overall, the spent from the local budget for replacing the woodwork and upgrading project includes 33 buildings comprising 2,376 modular units of one, two, the façades of some of the schools and kindergartens in the city. or three rooms. Depending on their incomes, there are three categories of However, a very limited number of buildings have undergone residents who can benefit from such houses: people who will not pay for structural rehabilitation work. For instance, one of the municipal buildings rent or utilities, people who will pay only for utilities, and finally, those in Constanța benefited from more extensive energy effi ciency who will pay for both rent and utilities. All housing units should be built by investments. It received a new, more thermally efficient envelope, and all 2014. So far, 17 buildings were completed and the first residents moved in the pipes were replaced. Unfortunately, only few other public buildings at the end of 2012. have undergone such comprehensive rehabilitation work. The local government is looking to find funds to rehabilitate the In the future, the decision to do energy efficiency investments in Casino, a beautiful historical building built in 1907 with contributions from other public buildings should be carefully weighed, with an eye to costs local residents, which needs serious renovation and restoration work. and potential energy savings. As energy consumption in these buildings is Upon the completion of the renovation work, the Casino will be opened not that high, it may pay to consider focusing energy efficiency for the public for a period of five years, hosting different cultural events. investments in other sectors. Consequently, a decision will be taken by city authorities on how the 28 building should be used in the future, whether to keep it exclusively for other growth poles, like Iași or Craiova. However, the amount of recycled cultural activities or turn it into a genuine entertainment place. waste collected in the city is four times lower than in Timișoara and eight times below Cluj-Napoca’s. Solid Waste Like in Ploiești, the solid waste sector in Constanța is managed by the Waste per capita (kg/per capita) private sector. Polaris is in charge of the solid waste collection, while another company, Tracon, manages the landfill at Ovidiu, a locality in the wider metropolitan area. Polaris is responsible for the collection and transportation of solid waste in Constanța, including Mamaia, the beach resort that belongs to the city. The company signed a concession agreement in 2008 for a period of 25 years. This is the lengthiest contract for solid waste collection activities among all seven growth poles, as in most of the cities usually the concession agreement does not exceed 10 years. According to the Constanța Integrated Development Plan, the company caters to over 305,000 people in Constanța County, including the residents of the cities of Constanța and Mamaia. At the level of 2007, 86% of the people in Constanța city were connected to solid waste collection services. Overall, 70% of the people living in Constanța County and nearly 96% of residents in urban communities are connected to solid waste Percentage of solid waste recycled collection services. The waste generation per capita in Constanța is among the highest in the TRACE database among cities with similar climate. With nearly 650 kilograms per capita, the amount of solid waste generated in Constanța is twice as much as some of the growth poles, like Ploiești and Timișoara. Of course, this amount includes the waste generated in Mamaia as well, where hundreds of thousands of tourists pour in during the summer months. In 2012, the solid waste generated in Constanța amounted to 185,000 tons. The amount slightly dropped between 2011 and 2012. The entire amount of waste in the city is captured and dumped either at the landfill or at a special depot for inert garbage. The solid waste collection was implemented in Constanța in 2008. So far, this system did not seem to appeal too much to the city residents. With a The municipality and Polaris have two types of selective collection - one selective collection rate of only 3%, Constanţa is doing poorly when it through special bins displaced across the city and one directly from the comes to recyclable waste compared to other cities in the TRACE database households. To this end, a number of 180 igloo-type bins have been with a similar climate, although the city’s performance is comparable to placed throughout the city and Mamaia. At the same time, households 29 receive yellow sacks where people can separate paper, glass bottles, and by a government agency. Hazardous waste is dumped at a dedicated metal from organic garbage. These bags are then collected directly from facility in Constanța. Medical units (other than large hospitals) receive the households by Polaris. special bags where they can dispose medical waste. Inert waste (i.e., a type of garbage that will decompose, such as concrete, drywall, sand) is Trash bins for selective collection in Constanța dumped at Gate No.9 South in the Port of Constanța, on a 41,000 square meter facility that had been set up for such purposes. 115,000 tons of inert waste is collected annually in Constanța. Polaris’ sorting station However, items are not always placed in the designated compartments. For instance, glasses may be found in metal bins, or paper in PET sections. In addition, people in poor communities sometimes take out items from the trash bins. At some point, the City Hall tried to install video-cameras to monitor the bins in an attempt to prevent stealing. A project is under way through which 440 trash platforms are to be placed at the households in Constanța. Of them, 300 of them have been already distributed to houses and residential buildings. After the landfill for inert waste will reach its full capacity, the facility will Usually, Polaris is using two trucks for collection operations - one be used for expanding the port. In addition, the municipality has taken for recyclable waste, and one vehicle for organic garbage. One type of steps to get rid of abandoned cars that have been parked for years on the sorting is done directly by people, while another one is performed at the streets in the city. 206 abandoned cars have been collected so far. There is Polaris facility located on the city’s outskirts. a campaign the City Hall organizes a few times a year to collect electronic Recyclable waste is separated at the sorting station and from waste, such as old TV sets, music stations, fridges, and computers. here is taken to MM Recycling, a company dealing with such activities. The residents do not have contracts with Polaris. The company They clean the items and then sell them. MM Recycling owns a PET has an agreement with the City Hall for the collection and transportation recovery plant with a capacity of 450 tons per hour. Recycling activities of waste on behalf of the city residents. Only economic agents have are profitable. agreements signed with Polaris. People pay a so-called “habitat tax” that In addition, there is a nuclear waste deposit at Cernavodă. The had been introduced by the city government, which covers solid waste facility is dealing with waste from the nuclear power plant and is managed 30 collection, sanitation, streets cleaning, and snow removal services. The tax basin, and further is used to water the green areas in the city, such as in full is RON 10 per person and, respectively RON 3 per person if gardens and parks. The landfill has the capacity to produce bio-gas, but so subsidized by the Constanța Local Council. People pay different amounts, far it did not become operational in this respect. depending on their revenues. For instance, those with low income (i.e., up The municipality of Constanța signed an agreement with Tracon to RON 300/month/person) pay only RON 3 per person. in 1997 to use the facility for dumping and depositing the solid waste The collection and transportation of solid waste in Constanța is collected in the city. The landfill has similar agreements with the local handled by 24 large trucks, most of them new vehicles, equipped with governments of Ovidiu and Năvodari. European standard emission catalyst Euro 4. In 2012, Polaris used 800,000 In 2012, 216,000 tons of solid waste collected from Constanța liters of diesel for solid waste collection and transportation related and other areas in the county were dumped at the landfill. Due to the activities, which is the equivalent of USD 1.3 million. The eco-framed large number of tourists, in the summer time the amount of solid waste landfill is located at Ovidiu, a locality in the metropolitan area, about 12 generated is higher; sometimes it can be twice as much as the amount kilometers far from the city. The facility is managed by a private operator, collected during the off-season. The tipping fee is USD 14 per ton of solid Tracon. The land belongs to the municipality of Ovidiu. The landfill was waste. developed in 1996, in partnership with a French company. It is the first eco-framed landfill in the country built entirely with private money. Leachet treatment facility at Ovidiu landfill Eco-framed landfill at Ovidiu, near Constanța The facility is spread over 32.7 hectares, and has a life span of 50 years. There are 8 cells, and 4 of them are already filled in. If necessary, the number of cell can expand. Investments amount to approximately EUR 2 The landfill will be included in the Solid Waste Master Plan, which is million per cell. currently under implementation through a EUR 40 million project The landfill has a leachet treatment plant, where the dirty water developed with support from the Environment Sectoral Operational resulted from the solid waste is treated. The clean water is collected in a Program. The main beneficiary of the plan is the Constanța County 31 Council. Additionally, the master plan includes the landfill at Albesti, near individual natural gas-based micro-heating units. In the past, CET used to Mamaia. Between 2011 and 2015 two non-compliant solid waste facilities cater to the Constanța Shipyard, and the Port of Constanța , but in the at Techirghiol and Murfatlar in the wider metropolitan area will be shut recent years both companies developed their own heating plants. down, and two new landfills will be built in Constanța County, one north Anyway, the primary network is still supplying hot water to a number of of Constanța city, and one at Tortomani. The landfill at Ovidiu and the 70 industrial sub-plants that are connected to industrial companies. upcoming facility in Constanța are located near a stone pit, which allows for a good insulation of the waste. The master plan will have three CET Palas Constanța transfer stations – at Cernavodă, in the western side of the county, in Hârșova, in the north, and in Adamclisi, in the south-east region. District Heating District heating in Constanța is managed by the public sector through two entities: CET, the thermal energy producer that is a branch of ELCEN (an entity under the Ministry of Economy) and RADET, a public company under the Constanța Local Council, responsible for the distribution of hot water and heat. CET Palas produces hot water in two natural gas-based plants that could also switch to coal, if necessary. RADET is in charge with the distribution of hot water/heat in the city through 135 thermal points, and also with production of thermal energy through a number of plants and neighborhood plants operating on natural gas. In addition to the 135 thermal points, the district heating system comprises 4 neighborhood plants based on natural gas, 39 thermal sub- Source: www.ziuaconstanta.ro. plants connected directly to residential buildings, and a few hundred sub- secondary distribution pipes linking thermal points to consumers. The A natural-gas and coal plant, CET Palas is located in the industrial area of total installed capacity is 649 MWth for thermal points and 42.5 MWth for Constanța, and is operational since early 1970s. The facility comprises two thermal plants. steam boilers, two steam-based turbines with a total installed capacity of Constanța is CET’s only client in terms of heat. The facility 100 MWe, 4 hot water boilers with an installed capacity of 465 Mwt (400 produces electricity for different clients. Starting in 2014, the local Gcal), and 2 heat exchangers able to produce 140 Mwt (the equivalent of authorities plan to take over CET, and thus take charge of heat 120 Gcal). The overall installed capacity of the plant is 100 MW (electric) production. In this way, the municipality of Constanța wants to place and 605 MW (thermal - hot water) of which 140 MWt in co-generation. under the same roof the production and distribution of hot water/heat. The primary network of 82 kilometers belongs to CET, while the RADET caters to 85,000 apartments covering approximately 900 kilometers of distribution pipes are under RADET. The primary 200,000 people. Almost all municipal buildings in the city are connected to network has two pipes that start from CET and go all the way to the the district heating network. In the 1990s, 95,000 apartments in thermal points. From here, the thermal energy is taken further through Constanța were connected to the district heating plant. Over the course four pipes for both hot water and heat (two ways). One of the culprits for of time around 10,000 disconnected from the system and switched to the losses in the system is the large number of pipes. 32 In 2004 the City Hall approved the Local Strategy for Centralized some energy efficiency-related projects. For example, the company Thermal Power Supply of Constanța, a medium and long-term plan replaced the old electro-pumps from 114 thermal points with new 24 targeting the increase of energy efficiency of the district heating system. modern equipment with more efficient energy consumption. This led to a The plan sought to modernize the district heating system through decrease in energy consumption by 2,400 MWh in 2012, as compared to diminishing heat cost at end users by applying new technologies and 2009. 21 more electro-pumps will be installed in the near future. developing a new heating system by 2012. A study commissioned by the local government drew up five technical solutions targeting the energetic SCADA system monitors the thermal points modernization of residential buildings in the city. According to a feasibility study, Constanța could annually achieve between 101,330 Gcal to 236,946 Gcal in reduction of heat consumption, provided the city would invest at least EUR 130 million in the district heating system. Over the time, RADET managed to improve part of the distribution network by replacing some of the old pipes and, thus, reducing the losses in the system. Most of investments aimed at increasing efficiency of thermal points by setting up some new pumps and equipping the facilities with so-called “expansion devices.” The company purchased a EUR 10 million SCADA system that monitors 104 of 135 thermal points from a centralized command room equipped with high- performing Siemens devices. As of now, 104 thermal points are automated and integrated under a remote monitoring and command system (dispatcher), comprising of a central dispatcher and two operative units. In the future, all thermal points will be connected to the SCADA system. The monitoring equipment has been already purchased for 28 more thermal points, and they should Another project aimed at upgrading the heat production in co-generation. be set up in the near future. In addition, RADET built two thermal points, The co-generation facility is operating with a 30MWe natural has based one of the largest in the city. plant, and a hot water reservoir of 37 MWt, both equipments allowing for In the last decade, the city government paid attention to 18.5% fuel savings. The company also commissioned a EUR 7 million the rehabilitation and modernization of the primary network. More than feasibility study to replace the heat exchangers with thermal heating RON 62 million was spent in 2007 for the rehabilitation of the supply units modules to all thermal points in the city that belong to RADET. and secondary distribution network. In recent years, 18 kilometers of the In 2012, RADET bought from CET 610,924 Gcal, of which 92,174 distribution network have been rehabilitated. RADET was able to carry out Gcal were lost in the network. 90% of the heat distributed in the city went to population, 5.6% to public institutions and municipal buildings, and the 24 The local strategy on the district heating network is available at: rest to economic agents. The daily amount of heat and hot water the city http://www.primaria- needs to supply to all 135 thermal points is 250 MW during peak winter time. In the summer, the necessary amount drops by four times, to 40 Constanța.ro/DownloadFileDatabase.aspx?atasamentID=1EB56639-5998-46F0- MW. The overall cost of heat production for 2012 amounted to RON 177 ABE5-E5E0C071683D&semnat=false&tip=2 million. Almost 80% of the operational budget goes on fuel (natural gas). 33 RADET employs 530 people, who are also dealing with maintenance work been taken over the local government. Currently, the City Hall Constanța at the secondary network. pays subsidies directly to people. In addition, the local government In 2012, the overall heat losses accounted for 35%, a figure that provides heat subsidies for people with low income. The subsidies are places Constanța in the higher side of the TRACE database. The city differentiated, based on people’s income. For example, those who make performs better than some of the growth poles in Romania, such as up to EUR 200 per month pay the same tariff as before the removal of Brașov and Iași, but there is room to improve compared to other cities in government subsidies. Overall, the City Hall pays annually RON 40 million the region (e.g., Timișoara, Cluj-Napoca, Sarajevo, and Ljubljana). The in heat subsidies from the local budget. losses in the primary network are 15%, slightly below those in the At the beginning of each year, the City Hall used to send to the distribution network, i.e., 18%. The non-commercial losses due to late central government estimates on the heat consumption for the city and payments account for 1-2%. the related amount of subsidies. The City Hall used to pay its share of In 2012, the residents of Constanța paid the highest price for subsidies always in advance, unlike the central government who would heat among all seven growth poles, i.e., RON 341 per Gcal (approximately often incur delays. People pay 60 days after the heating the bill is issued. EUR 77). This is the tariff in full, without subsidies. According to RADET, However, if a customer does not pay the bill on time, RADET cannot the affordable price for people would be EUR 55 per Gcal. The production disconnect the respective apartment from the network. As of now, 30% of cost of heat is regulated by ANRE, the energy regulatory body, whereas the customers are owners’ associations from residential buildings. At the the heat tariffs by ANRSC, the public utility services controlling authority. same time, ELCEN, the company who operates CET Constanța, would RADET is billing for the heat, whereas the water company, RAJA request the money from RADET regardless of whether the latter was able Constanța, is invoicing for hot and cold water. or not to collect the money from population and/or related subsidies. Moreover, if RADET cannot pay on time, then ELCEN would add penalties. Percentage of heat loss in the network Due to late payments, RADET started incurring debt to ELCEN. Currently, the heat distribution company still needs to receive RON 21 million in subsidies from both the national and local governments. There are historical debts between RADET and CET amounting to more than RON 280 million. After the Constanța Local Council would take over CET, the debts between the distribution and heat production companies are expected to be written off. Most of the residential buildings in Constanța were built between the 60s and 80s, and are not in the best shape, especially when it comes to their basement, façade, roof tops, terraces, and hallways. Despite the high price of heat, the revenue collection is good, 95% on average. Between 2008 and 2012, the percentage swung between 92% and 97.7%, with a slight decrease over the last few years due to the economic crisis. Like many other cities in Romania, Constanța was challenged by the disconnection from the district heating system. However, unlike other Until very recently, the heat used to be subsidized by both the central cities, the number of people who shifted to individual micro-heating units government and the local budget. In 2012, the government cut off the is relatively smaller. From the mid-1990s to date, only 10,000 apartments subsidies for heat from the national budget. In fact, these subsidies have disconnected from the centralized heating network, as compared to 34 50,000 units in Brașov, or 30,000 customers in Cluj-Napoca. Over the last apartments/homes in the city that are used only a few weeks a year couple of years, approximately 2,000 people have left the centralized during the summer peak season. The new system could be installed heating network early. initially in these units where heat could be turned on only when someone City authorities are very determined to keep the district heating would effectively use the apartment. Meanwhile, RADET wants to make system alive in the future and to continue invest in the network to the people who disconnected from the district heating system pay for the increase its energy efficiency. Their main concern is to maintain the common spaces they use. Those who are not connected to the centralized district heating efficient for residential clients and improve the hot water heating network still need to pay for the heat consumed in hallways, and heat services. laundry rooms etc., because they benefit of such facilities (e.g., they use the hallway several times a day when they come or leave their Thermal point in Constanța apartment). For example, in Denmark, the residents who disconnect from the district heating system pay between 30 and 50% of the heating bills, related to the common spaces. After will take over CET, the City Hall is thinking to pursue for a public private partnership, inspired by the case of Ploiești or Iași, and also put more money into the heat distribution network. The local public administration will take into consideration two solutions on the long run. They are looking at a public private partnership for the operation of the entire system, or an agreement for heat production only. In the near future, RADET is planning to introduce the so-called “tri-generation,” as to produce air conditioning in addition to heat and electricity, a system that seems to work well in Berlin. If this would follow through, RADET would provide Mamaia with air conditioning over the Source: www.cugetliber.ro summer. At present, the beach resort is not connected to the district heating network. All new residential buildings in the city are connected to the district heating plant. New emerging residential constructions will be also Water Sector linked to the centralized heating network. In addition, the City Hall took a step ahead to improve the hot water and heating services. With support Potable Water from the City Hall, RADET managed to set up an efficient horizontal The water sector in Constanța is performing fairly well, despite of big distribution system of heat in the residential complex built for young losses in the system. Both potable and wastewater is managed by RAJA people. RADET installed 4 pipes in the stairwell that are connected to each Constanța, a regional operator that caters to several counties in Romania. apartment, i.e., two for heat, one for cold water, and one for hot water. The company is one of the largest operators in Romania, catering to 143 After CET will be taken over by the City Hall, the plan is to small and large localities from 6 counties (i.e., Constanța, Ialomita, transform some of the thermal points into hot water/heat pumping Călărași, Ilfov, Dâmbovița, and Brașov), covering on average 800,000 stations to cater to residential buildings. RADET is also preparing a people, and up to 2.5 million people in the summer. RAJA is a public technical assessment in order to allow people to control the heat in their company whose shareholders are 34 municipalities and County Councils in apartments, turning it on and off as they please. There are a number of the country. Approximately 90% of the company’s activity takes place in 35 Constanța County. In the immediate future, RAJA is planning to expand its reservoirs in the Constanța metropolitan area with a total capacity of businesses in the Republic of Moldova, starting with a locality near the 278,000 cubic meters. capital Chișinău. The raw water supplied to Constanța County is treated by water According to the Constanța Integrated Development Plan, as of treatment plants, at Palas Constanța and Dealu Vifor Cernavoda, 2007, the length of the water network in Constanța Metropolitan Area respectively. The Palas Constanța water complex is responsible for was 878.7 kilometers, while the sewage network was spread over 819.6 treating both potable and wastewater. It is located in the south-eastern kilometers. The potable water network in Constanța city spans over 532 part of the city, and has a maximum capacity of 3.73 cubic meters per kilometers and the wastewater network a little over 585 kilometers. More second. The city’s proximity to the Black Sea is a competitive advantage, than 70% of the water distribution network is beyond 50 years old, while as RAJA sells 5 million cubic meters more water during the summer. In the the rest of 30% is even older (i.e., more than 70 years old). 90% of the summer time due to the increase in demand for water, the company is potable water catered to Constanța County comes from underground, using additional three water facilities. namely Cernavodă (Dealul Vifor) with an installed capacity of 0.2 cubic In 2012, the total amount of water sold in Constanța and Mamaia meters per second, and Galeșu, with 3.74 cubic meters per second. amounted to 41.2 million of cubic meters. The overall water consumption in the city is 398 liters per capita per day. This figure places Constanța on Water treatment facility in Constanța the higher end of the TRACE database comparable to cities with similar climate. The city also has the highest water consumption among the seven growth poles. It is almost three times more than in Ploiești and twice as much as in Cluj-Napoca or Timișoara. At the same time, it is the highest amount of water sold among all Romanian cities, except for the capital city, București. Water consumption liter per capita Source: www.lideruldeopinie.ro There are 38 underground sources and 306 wells in Constanța metropolitan zone with a total installed capacity of 8,530 liters per second. There is also one water connection through the Danube- Black Sea Channel, with an installed capacity of 4,514 liters per second. The potable water for Constanța city only is supplied through 80 wells. The water is good, as it needs only a little chlorination. There are 98 water 36 The catchment, treatment, and supply process requires 0.62 kWh of When it comes to water losses in the network, Constanța’s electricity per cubic meter of water. Again, Constanța is on the higher side performance is at the higher end of most cities in Romania, which is of the TRACE database compared to cities with same climate. between 40% and 60%. The water losses in the city account for 58.3%, a Overall, in 2012, the company used 61.2 million kWh for the fairly high figure in the TRACE database. water production process for Constanța. The energy consumption to treat a cubic meter of potable water in Constanța is second highest (after Iași) Percentage of water losses among Romanian growth poles. It is at least two times higher than in Ploiești, Brașov, and Timișoara. The energy consumption makes up 16% of the total operational costs. It is among the highest percentage among the water companies in Romania, where figures vary from 3% in Alba County to 22% in Neamț County. Energy density to produce potable water (kWh per cubic meter) In fact, this is the highest figure among the seven growth poles. It is twice as much as in Ploiești, and 50% higher than in Brașov, for example. The main factor responsible for the high losses has to do with the leakages due to the size and age of the network. Therefore, despite the fact that it monitors the losses hourly, RAJA cannot do much about reducing the leakages unless water pipes are replaced. Water losses go down during the summer when tourists come in the city and there is an increase in In 2012, for the entire water production, catchment, treatment, and water demand, and subsequently, they go up in off-season. In addition, wastewater treatment process for all six counties RAJA used 82, 661 MWh RAJA faces some commercial losses because a number of water meters do for which the company paid RON 36 million (EUR 8.3 million). Of this, not function properly. But, despite of the losses, the company is 6,267 MWh were used for water treatment and pumping at Palas profitable. Constanța plant, which is the equivalent of EUR 514,000. The electricity The tariff for potable water in Constanța is the highest among the consumption for water catchment activities in Constanța County growth poles, with RON 3.77 per cubic meter. The water revenue amounted to 31.1 million kWh, the equivalent of RON 13.3 million (EUR 3 collection is very high, standing at 97%. People who do not pay their water million). The energy consumption at the water sources, including in the bills on time get disconnected from the network. suburbs, amounted to 24.2 million kWh of electricity for which RON 10 RAJA has a SCADA system that monitors the water connections million were spent (approximately EUR 2.4 million). and network in Constanța. Now the company wants to expand the system to 25 localities in Constanța County with up to 10,000 inhabitants. This is 37 part of RAJA’s more ambitious plan to monitor the water system for all Constanța County, and rehabilitate the wastewater treatment plants in counties where the company caters to. Subsequently, the water losses the region. In 2010, RAJA started to work on a EUR 271 million project should go down by 10% and less maintenance should be required. with support from the Environmental Sectoral Operational Program, Overall, the company has 2,600 employees, in addition to 250 people who aimed at improving the water network in 26 localities from Constanța and are responsible for all water maintenance related work. Almost 40% of the Ialomița Counties. The project aims to: build 4 new water reservoirs; operational budget goes toward salaries. expand the water inlets by 34 kilometers; and enlarge the distribution network by 91 kilometers. 8% of the old water pipes in Constanța city will Water tariff RON/cubic meter be replaced and 7 pumping stations at Palas Constanța water treatment facility will be rehabilitated through the same project. In the near future, the company is planning to expand the water network in Constanța by 30 kilometers of modern, new pipes. Over the long term, RAJA’s development strategy includes expanding the business in other regions in Romania, reading water meters from distance throughout the entire operation area, and expanding the existing potable water and sewage network with support from EU structural funds. Not in the least, the company wants to tackle the water losses and reduce the operation cost by using equipment aimed at increasing cold water pressure through water boosters. Wastewater There are a couple of wastewater treatment plants located in Constanța, Over time, RAJA tried to increase the efficiency of the water system in with an installed capacity of 1,900 meters per second, catering for the city spite of energy tariffs going up. To this end, the company switched from and a few localities in the wider metropolitan area. In addition, there are a low voltage intensity to medium voltage, and has designed technical few more facilities across the Constanța County, at Poarta Albă, Năvodari, projects to switch to medium voltage. Between 2004 and 2012, RAJA Eforie Sud, and Mihail Kogălniceanu. All wastewater facilities are equipped installed 39 converters for the entire company’s network that are deemed with mechanical biological treatment units. The maximum capacity of the to reduce energy consumption by 40%. Also, RAJA purchased 202 water plants is 6,408 liters per second. The wider metropolitan area is also pumps with a small installed capacity. The life cycle of a pump is 8 years, served by 52 wastewater pumping stations with a total capacity of 61,268 on average, after which it needs to be replaced. In a move meant to cubic meters per hour. The Constanța Sud and Constanța Nord facilities reduce energy-related expenditures, starting in 2006 RAJA has been have the technical option to capture biogas. RAJA is planning to produce buying electricity directly from the market. electricity in co-generation at the Constanța Sud facility. During the last 15 years, RAJA was very active in investing almost The amount of electricity for treating wastewater in Constanța is RON 140 million for the rehabilitation and expansion of the water and among the highest in the TRACE database compared to cities with a sewage network in Constanța County. For example, with support from similar climate. The city needs 0.295 kWh to treat one cubic meter of Municipal Utilities Development Program (MUDP), between 1998 and wastewater. The figure is lower than in Timișoara or Cluj-Napoca, but 2002 RAJA managed to expand the water network, install water meters in almost four times higher than in Ploiești or Brașov. 38 Energy density to treat wastewater (kWh per cubic meter) requiring one such facility for each locality with a population between 2,500 and 10,000 people. Wastewater treatment plant Constanța Nord In 2012, RAJA needed 20.1 million kWh of electricity to treat 68.4 million of wastewater, for which they paid USD 2.4 million. The company charges RON 3.35 per cubic meter of wastewater and sewage services. Source: observator.ro Wastewater treatment operations incur high costs because the sludge gets filtered through a Korean-based mechanism and then it gets dumped The company has a number of projects in the pipeline aimed at increasing at the landfill. the system’s energy efficiency, and thus, reducing electricity consumption. Over time, RAJA has been preoccupied to improve the To this end, in partnership with green energy companies, RAJA wants to wastewater system in Constanța County. Through a RON 96.5 million install a few hybrids of wind and photovoltaic plants in the premises or project with funds from ISPA, between 2002 and 2007, the company near 8 wastewater treatment facilities. With a total installed capacity of rehabilitated and expanded the Constanța Nord and Eforie Sud facilities. MW 17.7, these plants should be able to produce 31,249 MWh of clean In addition, water pipes for discharging wastewater to the sea from the energy per year. The total investments would amount to nearly USD 60 two wastewater plants were built, and the existing sewage network in million to which RAJA would contribute with the logistical component. If Constanța city were rehabilitated and expanded by 31 kilometers. this project will follow through, RAJA will use the green energy produced Currently, RAJA is in the midst of implementing a EUR 271 million for wastewater treatment. Electricity cost should be 50% lower, a fact that program funded through EU structural funds aimed at improving the would allow savings of up to EUR 1 million annually. Feasibility studies are wastewater network in Constanța and Ialomiţa Counties. The sewage available for the Photovoltaic Plant at Feteşti, the hybrid wind and solar network would expand by 301 kilometers. 40 new wastewater pumping energy at the Constanța Sud wastewater treatment station, and the stations and 6 new wastewater treatment plants will be built in these two electrical hybrid station at Mangalia. counties. In addition, the project includes rehabilitation of 24 kilometers of sewage network, and modernization of 7 wastewater pumping stations and 4 wastewater treatment facilities. In the future, RAJA aims to develop a few more wastewater treatment plants as to comply with the law 39 Urban Transport efficient, as they required five times more energy/fuel than buses. Public Transport Another decisive factor was the liberalization of the energy market, which The local public transport in Constanța is operated by both local and was expected to hike electricity tariffs. The tram infrastructure had also private companies. RAT Constanța, an autonomous company organized deteriorated and maintenance work was very costly. Moreover, when the under the Local Council Constanța, is the main public transport operator tram infrastructure was developed in the past, it had to take a portion of in the city. There are a couple of private companies running few routes in the streets. As a consequence, roads became narrower, leaving almost no the Constanța, in addition to another operator covering 5 kilometers in space for pedestrians. Most of the tram lines came very close to the the Palazu Mare neighborhood located in the northern part of the city. houses located on the streets. Because trams were old and noisy, houses According to the TRACE analysis based on a study commissioned would vibrate and tremble most of the time when vehicles were passing by the Constanța City Hall in 2007, 38.6% of the commuters in Constanța by. In addition, tram derails would happen on a daily basis. At the time rely on public transport. This is a relative small figure compared to cities when Constanța gave up on electric transport in 2004, there were 43 with similar Human Development Index, but also with some of the growth kilometers of tram network in the city. If it were for the entire fleet to be poles. For example, in Constanța twice fewer people use public replaced, this would have required EUR 120 million, money that the city transportation than in Iași, and 25% less than in Cluj-Napoca. However, could not afford at that time. Therefore, local authorities thought that a the percentage is slightly higher than in Craiova and Ploiești. better solution would be to invest money in a newer bus fleet. The local government therefore removed the tram lines, widening the boulevards Public transport mode split and easing the pressure on traffic. Subsequently, EUR 50 million have been invested in purchasing new, modern buses. Bus in service in Constanța 17.6% people in the city use non-motorized means or transportation, while 43.8% rely on their private cars. The bus fleet comprises 198 buses. Of these, 115 are MAX medium size RAT Constanța operates only buses. Constanța is one of the cities type vehicles equipped with Renault engines. The vehicles were purchased who have given up on trams and trolleybuses a few years ago. The reason in 2002 and have a seating and standing capacity of 98 people. In addition, behind this decision has to do with related infrastructure and energy there are 65 Mercedes buses; each can accommodate up to 120 people. consumption. According to local mangers, trams were not energy All vehicles are equipped with European standard greenhouse emission 40 catalysts Euro 2 or Euro 4. The buses service 22 routes in Constanța and The public transport ridership in Constanța has dropped gradually Mamaia beach resort during the summer. During peak hours, RAT over the last decade. If in 2000 there were 93.4 million passengers, the Constanța operates with 136 buses and with 100 vehicles during off-peak number fell down by almost 20% in 2005, to 77 million. The decreasing time. As there are only a few types of vehicles, bus maintenance is trend continued over the following years and by 2010 only 61 million technically easier and financially cheaper. During the summer, RAT passengers used buses. The figures continued to drop further, but also it Constanța brings in 10 double-deck buses aimed at providing tourists a seemed to stabilize during the last couple of years to around 53 million better view of the city and of the beach resort. Two buses are in service people. The main culprits for the drop in public transport commuters are during week days, and three over the weekend, when more tourists come the closing down of most industrial facilities, the increase in the number to the city. Occupancy ratio of double-decker buses is 60% on average. of private cars, and competition from private operators. According to a They operate the route from the railway station in Constanța to Mamaia transport study commissioned by the Constanța City Hall in 2007, a survey and back, for 4 RON per trip. based on 4,800 people shows that 68% of the passengers use public When it comes to energy consumption, the public transport is transport to commute to their work places, 11% for shopping, 3% to sort doing fairly well, with 0.3 MJ per passenger, a figure that places Constanța out local administration related issues, 2% to get to health-cares facilities on the lower side of the TRACE database comparable with similar Human and doctors, while 16% use buses for several other different reasons. Development Index. However, the energy density is the highest among The public transport fare in Constanța is the lowest among all the seven growth poles. seven growth poles in Romania, i.e., RON 1.5 per trip. Until very recently, the tariff used to be RON 1.75 per trip, but the local government brought Public Transport Energy Consumption (MJ/passenger kilometer) the price down starting July 1, 2013, in an attempt to contain competition from private operators that charge a lower tariff, but also to attract more people toward public transport. The city government provides ridership incentives for certain categories of people. For example, about 34,000 retired people with a pension of less than RON 900 per month, along with low-income residents, ride for free. However, the city offers limited subsidies for students. In fact, Constanța is the only growth pole that does not give 50% in transport subsidies to all students in the city, but only to a very limited number. The City Hall provides discounts only to students who come from low-income families and fill in an application in this regard. According to local authorities, most students in the city come from well-off families who can afford to pay for the bus ticket in full. Currently, at most 800 students in Constanța benefit from public The vehicles run at a very small frequency, almost at every other minute, transport discounts, a very small number compared to other growth in order to make the service attractive, but also to keep up with the poles. The public transport company receives subsidies only for retired private transport operators. On average, a bus runs 250 kilometers a day people. Over time, RAT Constanța made efforts to decrease diesel and requires 38 liters for 100 kilometers. The annual fuel consumption to consumption and reduce the related expenditures by offering incentives operate the bus fleet is about 3,600 tons of diesel fuel, which is the to bus drivers who manage an efficient use of fuel. They receive incentives equivalent of USD 6.6 million. in the form of financial bonuses, days off, or promotions. 41 Public Transport Tariffs in Growth Poles (RON/trip) 2010, there were 133 minibuses and 24 interregional bus routes operating in the region. Minibus in Constanța operated by a private transport company There are three private companies that operate on public transport routes The City Hall organized two terminals for interregional buses, one at the in Constanța and Mamaia. One of the companies runs 6 routes, the other railway station, and another at the city’s farmers market. According to the only two; both overlap the routes operated by RAT Constanța. The third local law, such buses should make only one stop in the city, load the company runs a few kilometers of public transport routes in Palazu Mare passengers, and then go further to their final destination. neighborhood. A route can span between 7 and 15 kilometers. The private companies have 72 minibuses altogether, with a seating and Bus in sevice from the railway station in Constanța to Mamaia standing capacity of 20 passengers each. They consume between 15 and 18 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers. The number of passengers varies depending on the time of day and the routes. On average, there are 2,500 daily passengers per route; sometimes on popular routes the number can go up to 6,000. Overall, 30,000 passengers use private minibuses daily in Constanța and Mamaia. The trip with minibuses costs between RON 1 and RON 2 and it is charged directly on the vehicle by designated people or the driver. Sometimes tariffs can be negotiable, depending on the distance travelled. Private transport operators pay for the streetscape, based on the average number of passengers per month. The fee is set to RON 230 per year, in Source: www.ratc.ro addition to RON 130 for vehicles that could carry up to 20 people. There are a number of regional transport entities that operate in But, things are different in practice. The interregional buses can make Constanța, from the railway station to the beach resorts in the wid er multiple stops in the city, whenever someone asks for a ride by simply metropolitan area. According to the Integrated Development Plan, as of hitchhiking. This practice detours some of the passengers from the public transport company, thus diminishing the number of people using public 42 buses, which ultimately affects the public operator’s revenues. The City purchases of rolling stock will be eligible under the 2014-2020 ROP. To this Hall tried to address this issue by banning private operators from entering end, they intend to buy small, highly-energy efficient hybrid buses that the city. From now on they should be allowed only to the city limits, from should replace the fairly old existing fleet. where passengers coming from outside the city should switch to buses The ultimate goal of RAT Constanța is to attract middle class operated by RAT Constanța. people to the public transport. To this end, the local managers aim to Despite all the inconveniences posed by private operators, RAT develop the public transport as to become more reliable, comfortable, Constanța admits that there is still something good out of it. Private and safe, increase the quality of services, and ultimately, make it more operators help enhance competition, so people can ultimately benefit if appealing to the city’s residents. they are being provided with transportation alternatives. At the same As of now, the national legislation does not allow the local public time, some of the streets in the city are too narrow for buses and are transport companies to operate in the wider metropolitan areas. more suitable for minibuses. According to the law, only a county-level established company can In addition, in the summer time, the ropeway (telegondola) operate public transport routes within the county, and implicitly, in the operates in Mamaia, crossing the resort from one side to another. The wider metropolitan area. The law should be amended in order to establish ropeway was a project developed with EU funds in 2004. Tourists can metropolitan transport authorities that could operate public service in the enjoy a 2.1 kilometer short journey across Mamaia for RON 15 per trip. region. If the law gets approved, RAT Constanța may consider widening its area of operation by expanding the public transport connections to The ropeway (telegondola) in Mamaia localities within the wider metropolitan area. Private Transport Like everywhere else in Romania, traffic in Constanța is not an easy task, neither for cars, nor for pedestrians. The city followed the same development path as the rest of the country, transitioning from a centralized command-and-control system to the market economy in the last two decades. Constanța is a port-city, where related activities and the proxy oil refineries brought lots of economic development in the region. In addition, the location on the Black Sea shore, in the vicinity of beach resorts including the most popular one, Mamaia, brings millions of tourists in the city in the summer time. This has led to an increase in the number As in many cities in Romania, there is no dedicated priority for public of cars in the city, a situation which generates traffic congestion. transport in Constanța. Often buses get caught in severe traffic jams and The Sunshine Highway connecting București to Constanța has sometimes must wait to pass even 10 consecutive red lights, thus been finalized recently, tremendously improving the traffic flow to and increasing travel time and annoying passengers. In the future, the city from the seaside. The highway facilitates people’s access to the Black Sea, managers want to boost the public transport in the city. They want to thus bringing more tourists to the resorts and to Constanța City. focus on a few measures such as developing dedicated bus lanes, The Constanța bypass was also recently completed, and thus equipping the public transport vehicles with GPS, renovating the bus people who travel to the beach resorts do not need to drive into the city stops, and introducing e-ticketing. The city managers also hope that to travel further and reach their destination. 43 The Sunshine Highway connecting București to Constanța Traffic in Constanța - Mamaia Source: www.cugetliber.ro There are 1,200 mopeds and 1,784 taxis in the city. According to the law, there should be one taxi per 1,000 people. A touristic city, attracting At present, there are 123,099 cars registered in Constanța. In addition, hundreds of thousands of people in the summer, Constanța needs, in fact, thousands of vehicles transition the city in the summer time. One third of more taxis, as the demand is very high. Taxis must obtain authorization cars registered in Constanța run on diesel, while the rest use gas. A little from the City Hall, which also regulates the tariffs. The city government over one-third of private cars in the city are between 6 and 10 years old, cannot issue permits for cars older than 10 years. The local public and nearly 20% are between 11 and 15 years old. 11.9% of the private administration is also the one that set the tariffs for taxis. They cannot go vehicles registered with the local police department are between 16 and beyond the ceiling established by the Constanța Local Council at RON 3.5 20 years old, while almost 18% of the fleet is older than 20 years. 2.4% of per kilometer. On average, most of the taxis charge RON 1.79 per the cars are new, up to two years old, and almost 13% are between 3 and kilometer, RON 2.15 per kilometer during the nighttime, and RON 2.75 per 5 years old. Like all cities in Romania, Constanța takes part in the national kilometer outside the city limits. However, there are a number of scrappage program (“Programul Rabla”), which offers people who bring independent taxi operators that overcharge, asking twice as much as the old cars a premium toward buying a new car. Since its start in 2005, the average rate. The city government together with the local police stepped program has played an important role in helping renew the vehicle fleet in up efforts to contain such practices. The number of taxis using top fares Romania. For instance, only in 2010, almost 190,000 cars were scrapped has come down over the last few years. A taxi runs 100 kilometers per day and the vouchers were used to purchase almost 60,000 new vehicles. on average. The vehicles use all types of fuel, e.g., diesel, gas, and LPG. Constanța has 160 designated taxi parking spots in the city, where cars can wait to be hired by customers. 44 Taxi Tariffs in Constanța (RON/km) In 2012, the fuel consumption for private cars in Constanța amounted to nearly USD 75 million. According to the mode split figures calculated in 2007, almost 44% of the commuters in Constanța use their private cars to travel in the city. As of now, the city has no dedicated bike networks. Despite of that, it is fairly safe to ride the bike on the main roads. Like in many other cities in Romania, the I Velo project is implemented in Constanța in partnership with a commercial bank, for the months of June through October of every year. People can rent 120 bikes for a few hours or a full day provided they can present a valid ID. The rental rate is EUR 3 for a day and it goes down if they use the bicycles for just a few hours. Students under the age of 16 and retirees can rent the bikes for free. There are a few pedestrian networks in Constanța, most of them on the seafront of the city and in Mamaia. For example, a popular pedestrian area is located just in front of the Casino building in Constanța, The energy consumption for private transport stands for 2.06 MJ per where many of the city residents and tourists like to walk around. Another passenger kilometer, a figure that places Constanța in the middle of the non-motorized network where people stroll especially in the summer time TRACE database comparable with cities with similar Human Development is in front of the Casino in Mamaia. Yet another popular pedestrian area is Index. The city is performing slightly better than some of the growth in the city center, a place with a number of shops and restaurants. poles, such as Ploiești, Brașov, and Craiova, but there is room to improve, if compared to Cluj-Napoca, for instance. Pedestrian network in Mamaia Private Transport Energy Consumption (MJ /passenger/km) 45 Pedestrian network in the downtown of Constanța The new parking near the County Hospital in Constanța Source: www.lideruldeopinie.ro A few projects are under way, with support from the 2007-2013 ROP, In addition, there is a 4-floor multi-story green parking that has recently aimed at expanding the pedestrian network in the city. These include the been opened near the County Hospital in Constan ța. The external walls rehabilitation of the pedestrian area in the historical center in the city, are to be covered with grass and vine plants. The parking lot, whose cost redevelopment of the Piața Ovidiu located near the archeological and totals EUR 4 million, was developed with support from EU funds, and can history museum (to be turned into an agora/plaza), and the accommodate 300 cars, four times more vehicles than the old parking. modernization and redesign of the Mamaia promenade, a large There is an electronic screen at the entrance, showing the number of free pedestrian network covering the area from the Holiday Village, Malibu, spots on each floor, so the drivers can learn exactly where they should put Perla, and Casino Mamaia. In addition, the city is building three pedestrian their cars. The number of parking lots in Mamaia has tripled in the past crossovers/bridges over Mamaia Boulevard in order to improve access in few years. There are a number of public parking spots available in the area the beach resort. The value of the project totals RON 10.5 million, of where people can put their cars free of charge. which RON 8.3 million comes from the ROP. One of the crossovers is to be However, parking lots in Constanța cannot accommodate the located in Holiday Village area, the other one near Mamaia Casino, while large number of vehicles pouring into the city, and the local government is another will be built in the vicinity of Rex Hotel. set to address this issue in the near future by building more facilities. For Like everywhere else in the country, parking in Constanța is example, the local government is considering building two over-ground challenging. The old residential buildings built during the communist parking garages in Constanța. The construction of a 7-story facility in regime did not have parking lots, as cars were very few in those times. In Mamaia in the vicinity of the Casino area is already in progress. Upon addition, thousands of vehicles are pouring into the city during the completion of the construction, the facility could accommodate nearly summer, and all of them need to park somewhere. With the tremendous 400 cars. increase in number of private vehicles in the city, the demand for parking As for traffic and transportation management, Constanța has gone up as well. Currently, there are parking structures on Mircea cel introduced prioritization of traffic signaling for buses on very few Bătrân and Tomis Boulevards, respectively. These are one-way roads, intersections in the city. In 2007, the City Hall commissioned a traffic which allow for parking on one side of the street. mobility study aimed to ease the flow of traffic in the city. As per the 46 study’s findings, some streets have been turned into one-way roads, and roundabouts were set up where needed. Currently, the local public administration is working on an application through the 2007-2014 ROP for the modernization of the traffic management system, which would include a GPS-based dispatcher, screens displaying information about public transport routes, available connections, etc. Until a few years ago, the municipality asked for a fee for entering Mamaia. The charge, set at RON 7 per vehicle, used to be applied to all cars, except for vehicles registered in Constanța County. The fee was eliminated due to public opinion pressure. According to the local government representatives, the money collected was channeled to the renovation and rehabilitation of public schools in the city. A project seeking to improve access from Constanța to the industrial platform in Năvodari, where many of the oil refineries are located, is under implementation. The EUR 13 million project developed with support from EU structural funds is expanding and upgrading the Mamaia Boulevard all the way to Năvodari. Finally, the City Hall is planning to sign the contract for the construction of the coastal highway for a total of 15 kilometers. Initially, the city plans on building the first 4.2 kilometers at an estimated cost of EUR 10 million. The first lot should be completed by July 2015, while the remaining sections should be commissioned before 2020. The coastal road is expected to improve the traffic flow in Constanța, as cars will be able to use the highway to bypass the city. 47 48 Energy Efficiency Recommendations Buildings” and “Street Lighting,” both sectors controlled by the local authorities, can achieve good energy savings. Another sector that is TRACE is a tool that allows for the estimation of energy savings potential controlled by the Constanța City Hall is “Street Lighting.” Two other in different service areas by benchmarking the performance of a city sectors have been identified by TRACE, namely “Wastewater” (a sector against other cities with similar characteristics, such as climate, under the County government) and “Solid Waste,” an area managed by population, or Human Development Index. For example, energy the private sector. consumption per street light pole in Constanța was compared to TRACE data for other cities with a similar climate. The energy savings potential Sector Priority with regard to street lighting in Constanța was calculated using a method that factored in the cities that performed better than the city, and the degree to which these localities performed better. The more information is available in the TRACE database, the better results it can provide. So far, TRACE has data on almost 100 cities, which allows for good comparisons. The level of local control also determines the energy saving potential. The more control local public authorities have over a particular service area, the higher the energy saving potential. Like in many localities in Romania, some public utility services in Constanța are managed by the city government, whereas some others stay with the private sector or they are regulated at the national level. For instance, the solid waste is under the private sector. The water sector is under the County Council, and the city government has no say in this area. The city has also very little influence over the energy sector, as policies and regulations are decided at the national level. After the saving potential for each indicator was calculated, a All priorities identified by TRACE were presented and discussed with local sector prioritization was done in TRACE, based on the amount of energy public administration officials. A number of five sectors comprising ten that could be saved. The sectors with the largest energy savings potential recommendations were chosen by city managers, and these will be in Constanța are: “Private Vehicles,” ,”District Heating”, “Public discussed in more detail in the sections below. Transport,” “Potable Water,” “Municipal Buildings,” “Wastewater,” and From the get-go it has to be mentioned that all recommendations ”Street Lighting.” The most promising sector is “Private Vehicles,” made in this section should be seen as indicative, not as normative. While however, the local government has little control over this area. The the TRACE tool enables a quick overview of key energy efficiency issues second highest potential for energy savings in Constanța is “District within a municipality, it does not provide an in-depth analysis of each Heating,” a sector under the direct control of the local public sector. For example, in most studied cities, the sector with the highest administration. The sector with the third highest energy saving potential is energy savings potential was district heating. Obviously, achieving higher “Public Transport,” under the Constanța City Hall. “Potable Water” has a savings in this sector usually also entail high costs. These costs may good potential as highlighted by TRACE, but the sector is managed by the outweigh potential benefits, and may not warrant investments in the County, thus the local government does not have much say. “Municipal sector. Also, if people continue to de-branch themselves from the system, 49 any investments done to rehabilitate the network may be nothing more for the future of the sector, contemplating between two alternatives in than wasted money. the long run. On one hand, they are thinking about entering into a public Similarly, urban transport recommendations should ideally have private partnership, based on the successful models implemented in an urban mobility plan at their foundation (EBRD is in fact supposed to Ploiești and Iași with Dalkia, a private district heating operator. On the prepare mobility plans for all seven growth poles and Bucharest). The other hand, the local government representatives take into consideration recommendations made in this report are general in nature and draw on a a public private partnership only for the production of heat (while keeping pre-defined list of proposed interventions in the TRACE tool. These the distribution network with the Constanța City Hall). At the end of the recommendations should be viewed by local authorities as an indication day, the ultimate goal is to keep the system alive and provide the 85,000 of what could be done to improve their city’s energy performance and customers (apartments) in the city with better heat and hot water reduce the city’s energy bill. The decision to actually implement a services. The City Hall is preoccupied to modernize and upgrade the recommendation or not should be done only after a comprehensive distribution network (secondary pipes), and also improve the hot feasibility study is completed. For example, the development of a bike water/heat production component. network may have the adverse effect of reducing the share of people who According to the TRACE assessment, district heating is the sector use public transport instead of reducing the number of people who under the local government management with the highest energy saving commute by private vehicles. potential in Constanța. Therefore, the local public administration should Lastly, energy efficiency interventions should not be viewed or undertake some further efforts to reduce the leakages in the hot water conceived in a vacuum. Often, energy efficiency interventions have pipes, and improve the system’s overall efficiency. This can be achieved benefits that cross sectors. For example, improving the public transport through a maintenance program targeting the repair and upgrade of network, will not only encourage a more energy efficient commuting boilers, pumps, pipes, and insulation of pipes. At the same time, they options, but it could also improve quality of life, help boost local should consider passing legislation that would require a minimum economies, and enable poor and marginalized communities better access efficiency level for generation and supply infrastructure of the district to opportunities. In the same vein, interventions that aim to improve the heating network. energy efficiency of a municipal building could be done in tandem with Like in many other cities in Romania, the thermal energy retrofits that make these buildings more resilient to disasters. consumption in Constanța has dropped dramatically over the past 20 years. In recent years, some of the state-owned companies in the city were shut down and some large economic players established their District Heating Maintenance and Upgrade individual heating system (for instance, the port of Constanța and the One of the TRACE recommendations made to the local government of shipyard). This had had severe repercussions over heat production and Constanța is related to improvement and maintenance of the district distribution. In addition, thousands of people disconnected from the heating network. This recommendation falls within the scope of the system in the last decade, although the figures are relatively smaller than efforts that the local authorities are planning to undertake in the near in other growth poles (e.g., 30,000 in Cluj-Napoca and almost 50,000 in future. The local district heating system is expected to undergo Brașov). However, between 1995 and 2000, the heat consumption was tremendous changes. The plan is to shift CET, the district heating plant, around 1 million Gcal per year, but, subsequently, the heat demand from the control of the Ministry of Economy to the City Hall Constanța. In dropped gradually. this way, the local public administration managers would have control According to the National Institute of Statistics, the heat over the production and distribution of hot water/heat. After the production in Constanța reached its peak in 1995, when 1.06 million Gcal takeover, the city managers will seek to come up with the best solution were distributed in the city. By 2000, the amount of heat distributed in 50 the city dropped by over 100,000 Gcal, i.e., to 896,485 Gcal. It further addition, the local public administration should focus on thermal went down to 760,152 Gcal in 2005 and, later on, to 610,063 Gcal in 2010. insulation of the residential buildings in the city. Studies show that Currently, the amount of heat necessary to cater the city residents, public rehabilitation work has a great impact on energy consumption, on heating institutions, and some economic agents, is approximately 610,000 Gcal bills, and, not in the least, on residents’ level of comfort. Moreover, it annually, which is half the amount used in the past. increases the energy efficiency of the buildings by at least 20% and it can go even beyond that. Some of the buildings that have been thermally CET Palas - cooling tower insulated in Timișoara with support from the local budget have reduced drastically the heat consumption (i.e., by more than half). The heating bills also came down significantly. Horizontal distribution pipes in a rehabilitated building in Craiova Source: www.ziuaconstanta.ro Over time, RADET had made some investments into the system to improve its overall efficiency. In addition to the modernization of thermal Another way to increase efficiency of the district heating system is switch points and installation of modern equipment throughout the sub-plants in from the vertical distribution model of the heat to the horizontal model. the city, local authorities managed to rehabilitate 18 kilometers of the Constanța has already applied this model in the new residential buildings secondary network. But this did not seem to make a difference in the built for young people. Now the city is considering expanding it to other entire system. Despite the rehabilitation work, the hot water losses building in the city. Anyway, this is a fairly costly solution, and the local account for 35%. In other words, of every 100 Gcal produced, 35 Gcal gets government needs to find the financial resources in order to carry out lost due to leakages in the hot water pipes. The most appropriate way to further similar projects. This model has been also implemented in Craiova, contain water losses is to further focus on network maintenance. where the municipality paid for the thermal rehabilitation of the buildings, According to feasibility studies, the rehabilitation of secondary pipes whereas the district heating operator changed the hot water distribution would require EUR 120 million investments. To date, the work performed system. As a result, the heat consumption came down by 40%. The to this end did not exceed EUR 3.2 million. The City Hall Constanța and heating bills dropped, the quality of services improved, and the level of RADET should identify the most suitable and cost-efficient methods to comfort in the apartments went up. insulate and modernize the pipes to reduce hot water leakages. In 51 At the same time, RADET and the City Hall are working out Administration is working with the EBRD to prepare mobility plans for all suitable ways to regain market share and increase the number of seven growth poles and the capital city, București. customers. One of the measures the municipality has come up with is to have new emerging residential constructions linked to the centralized Non-motorized Transport Modes heating network. One of the first TRACE recommendations made to the city managers of At the end of the day, an efficient district heating system must Constanța when it comes to urban transport relates to the development have strong support from both local and central government. There of non-motorized networks. An efficient non-motorized transportation should be medium-to-long term national policies with regard to thermal with zero fuel consumption and low infrastructure investments tackles energy to encourage both operators and local communities to invest in several issues at the same time: it is good for the environment, it reduces the network and heat production to increase the efficiency of the entire pollution, it improves air quality, and it benefits people’s health. A system. According to RADET, there are European countries where national potential annual savings of 100,000 to 200,000 kWh can be achieved with and local policies are more favorable to district heating operators. For an initial investment of USD 1,000,000 over a two-year implementation example, in Germany, the VAT for heat is below the value of the added tax period. rate generally applicable in the country (8% compared to 19%). In The city has a few pedestrian areas, mostly on the seafront. Romania, taxes are not dfferentiated, so the same VAT rate applies to all Currently, the City Hall is carrying out a few projects with support from services, i.e., 24%. the 2007-2013 ROP aimed at developing more dedicated areas for pedestrians. One of the largest projects currently pending in the city is the Urban Transport integrated redevelopment work performed on the pedestrian area in the Urban transportation is another sector with high potential for energy historical center, a project with a total value of RON 47 million. It includes efficiency gains in Constanța, as identified by TRACE. Together with district the rehabilitation of 21 streets in the Peninsula area in Constanța, heating, transport is one of the priority areas of intervention for the city development and rehabilitation of the rainwater systems, and equipment government of Constanța. The local public administration already has a of the area with urban furniture, such as new lighting poles, road signs, few initiatives in this sector, including improving the public transport trash bins, and ashtrays. The area will be closed for cars and the traffic will network, expanding non-motorized networks, and a new traffic be deviated to the coast. The city managers want to use granite stone for management master plan. TRACE recommendations build on the efforts the modernization of the pedestrian network. This project should be that the local authorities are already undertaking, or are planning to carry completed within two years. out in the near future. The sections below will discuss each Another project under way is the tourist promenade in Mamaia, recommendation in more detail. with an estimated budget of RON 64 million. The main objective is the In addition, the City Hall and the local public transport authority modernization and rehabilitation of the pedestrian promenade between should prepare a database with key transport indicators. These should the Holiday Village (on the outskirts of Constanța) and Mamaia. The work include the basic information related to transport modal split in the city, includes rehabilitation of the main pedestrian lane in the Holiday Village, as to document how many people use public transport, how many walk or redevelopment of Perla Plaza, improvement of the promenade Malibu- bike, and how many rely on their private vehicles to commute. This Perla - the Mamaia Casino promenade, and modernization of the Mamaia information is vital for every city in order to prepare a comprehensive Casino Plaza and pedestrian network. The rehabilitation and mobility plan that should be the foundation for developing a sustainable redevelopment of Casino Castel area is also part of the project. transport network. The Ministry of Regional Development and Public At present, the local public administration is restoring and redeveloping the historical area Piața Ovidiu under a RON 14 million 52 project with support from EU structural funds. The project includes Rehabilitation work of Piața Ovidiu in Constanța rehabilitation of the Piața Ovidiu, a few streets (Vasile Canarache, Marcus Aurelius, and Aleea Vasile Canarache), and building access stairs from Marc Aureliu Street to the Tomis Port and from the Vasile Canarache Street to Termele Romane Street. Urban furniture, such as benches, lamps, lighting poles, trash bins, and ashtrays will be installed in the premises of the area, in addition to setting green areas and slopes. The local authorities want to turn Piața Ovidiu into a plaza/agora, exclusively for pedestrians. Also, they want to build a parking lot where people can leave their cars and from there walk up on the stairs to the plaza. With such remodelling, it is expected that the place will turn into a great tourist attraction in Constanța. Finally, the city government is currently restoring and redeveloping the promenade and green area between Vraja Marii, the Casino, and Port Tomis. The project is co-financed from the 2007-2013 ROP and has a total value of RON 16 million. The work consists of rehabilitation of the supporting walls, railings, and banisters, Currently, Constanța is carrying out a EUR 1.4 million project in redevelopment of the seafront promenade, upgrading of the pedestrian cooperation with Balchik, a city on the Black Sea shore in Bulgaria (about network in the park and development of more green areas, and, not in the 60 kilometers away from Constanța), to develop bike networks and least, setting a number of kiosks, pavilions, benches, lamps, and fountains docking stations. This is part of the Black Sea Diversification of tourism in Art Nouveau style. A number of new street lighting poles will be placed services in the cross-border area Constanța-Balchik through bicycles, in the area, and designated space for brass band will be built. funded from the Cross-Border Cooperation Program Romania-Bulgaria. A The Constanța City Hall may also consider developing more bike network and 24 docking stations will be developed on Tabacariei Lake pedestrian networks in the city. For example, some streets may be and Mamaia Boulevard. Upon completion of the project, the city residents permanently or temporarily closed to motor vehicles traffic, allowing and tourists will be able to ride for free a number of 390 bicycles, between access only to pedestrians and bicyclists. Such networks could help raise the Peninsula area and Mamaia. the quality of life in the city and stimulate business development. Not only The local authorities could think about making micro credits do they help pedestrian traffic go up, but they also increase substantially available to people to help them buy bicycles. This would be beneficial to the businesses and leisure & entertainment activities in the area. low-income residents. The municipality of Constanța could be inspired by Not in the least, the local government should encourage more the city of Lima, Peru, where the local government set up a micro-credit people to use bikes. The city does not have dedicated bike lanes. In order program to help people purchase bicycles. By commuting by bike to their to have more people biking, the local public administration should build workplace, people saved more than 12% of their income, once the loan an appropriate network. was paid off. 53 The area near Casino in Constanța is undergoing rehabilitation work neighborhoods in London where bus connectivity is available, the local government allocates less than one parking spot per unit. However, this measure should be coordinated with expanding public transport in the city, where necessary. One of best practices that have proven to be very useful in dealing with traffic congestion around the world is the Park and Ride concept. Although this is a costly measure that requires serious capital investment, at the end of the day, it is a very efficient way to promote multimodality by linking parking to public transport. The Constanța City Hall should consider developing such facilities in the city. People who travel to the city from the Constanța metropolitan area should drive their cars to these parking areas, from where they take public transport to get to their workplace. It is important that such facilities are built in locations where public transport is available. In addition, cheap parking should not be available in center areas. The cost of transport, including parking fees, should be lower than that of the fuel used for the entire distance. For instance, in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area, Park and Ride facilities are available at the metro stations located on the city outskirts. Parking Restraint Measures People drive their cars to the parking facility, leave their vehicles in the Another important recommendation made by TRACE to the public parking lot, and from there they take the public transit (buses or metro) to administration of Constanța with regard to urban transport is to consider their workplace. They can also use the same e-ticketing (Smartrip card) to ways for discouraging the use of private vehicles and support alternative pay for both parking and the public transportation fare. modes of commuting. This target can be achieved by imposing more restrictive parking measures in certain areas of the city. Fewer cars on the Park and Ride sign streets would translate into lower fuel consumption and less traffic congestion. One way of making people to put away their private vehicles and turn instead to public transport is by applying parking allowances for new residential and corporate developments, and by building “ Park and Ride” facilities within the framework of promoting transport multimodality by linking parking to public transport. A maximum parking allowance with low car-to-unit ratios could discourage private-car purchases and use. This solution could be appealing because it does not require immediate investments from the city budget and it can be implemented wherever there are public transport connections available. There are a number of cities in Europe that have successfully applied such parking allowance Source: www.wikipedia.org systems. The capital city of UK is a good example in this respect. In certain 54 In addition, the local government in Constanța may decide to close down However, there are a few issues with regard to public transport to traffic a few streets in the downtown area in order to further restrict system in Constanța that the city managers should address. Because buses the access of vehicles and reduce parking in the area. Currently, there is do not have priority lanes sometimes they get stuck in traffic, creating work in progress to close down a few streets and turn them into significant delays. Thus, the travel time is longer, causing annoyance and pedestrian areas, so the city managers should consider identifying more inconveniences to passengers. The city managers plan to improve the arteries in Constanța where traffic could be restricted. In addition, it may traffic flow by introducing one-way streets and building a few worth for city managers to look at best practices executed by some cities roundabouts. Constanța has a several main boulevards that are fairly large around the world, where the parking price in the downtown area has to accommodate dedicated bus lanes. Priority green lights and dedicated been hiked. This method has discouraged people to drive their cars into bus lanes will boost attractiveness of public transport and cut down travel the city center and instead incentivized more of them to use buses or time. By giving priority to buses at intersections will enable public trams, or, even better, bike or walk to where they need to go. transport vehicles to bypass traffic congestion, enhance their reliability, and reduce travel times. Public Transport Development One of the main TRACE recommendations for the municipality of Bus lanes in Los Angeles Constanța is to advance the development of a modern and safe public transport system. This would not only provide citizens with better quality services, but it would also reduce the use of private vehicles and, instead, encourage people to ride public vehicles. More people relying on public transportation would translate into a significant reduction of fuel consumption, less number of private cars in circulation, better air quality in the city, and improvement of quality of life for the residents of Constanța. A comprehensive public transport development program should aim to ensure mobility by increasing connectivity between the city center and the outskirts, including Mamaia, and integrating the network with the traffic management system. The city of Constanța is committed to move toward a sustainable transport system. This is a lengthy process that has begun with decommissioning tram rails at the end of the 2000s. Source: www.laist.com Subsequently, the municipality has given up on trolleybuses too. At present, the public transport in Constanța is operated by buses through Reducing the travel time is an incentive that could make people turn to RAT Constanța and by minibuses run by a few private companies. public transport and leave their cars at home. Cities that have a good Instead of investing in the rehabilitation of high capacity transit network of dedicated bus lanes have managed to tackle bus traffic issues network and tram cars, the city managers decided to rather focus on in a productive way. Special infrastructure for bus-priority signaling should improving the bus fleet. Thus, the city purchased some new, modern be expanded in order to help the flow of approaching buses either by vehicles, in compliance with European greenhouse gas standard emissions extending green lights for them or by cutting down the cycle for cars. This Euro 3. system is linked to buses via transponders that use GIS information and 55 can help the flow of approaching buses either by extending green lights application for fund by the end of 2013. This easy, user-friendly method of for them or by cutting down the cycle for cars. This bus-priority signaling paying for public transport trips has been already applied in a few cities in system has been implemented on the main large streets in Cluj, allowing Romania, such as Timișoara and București. E-ticketing can be used for public transport vehicles to move easier during rush hours and keep the many trips, and even for different means of public transportation. travel time within certain limits. Screen displaying information on tram schedule in Timișoara Bus signaling in Cluj-Napoca The electronic ticket will not only reduce the cost of travel and help more people ride the bus and commute, but it will also provide support for revenue collection and transfers, as well as counting passengers. In Timișoara, e-ticketing also functions like a debit card, which users can use to pay for some of the entertainment services in the city, like theater or The modernization of the traffic system in Constanța is under way, and cinema. Also, it was used to pay for parking in the city until the new includes, among other things, modernization and renovation of bus stops system by SMS was introduced. People who use e-ticketing in Timșioara and development of e-ticketing. In the near future, the bus stops in the get a 10% discount on the public transport fare. city will be renovated and equipped with screens from where people will People in Timișoara can pay for the ticket directly from their cell be given the opportunity to figure out bus routes and waiting times. To phones, from designated kiosks, and also on the bus. In Washington, D.C., this end, real-time bus countdown information displayed on screens at the e-ticketing is used for both bus and metro trips. People can put money on waiting facilities will allow passengers to plan and better manage their a card either at the metro stations or on the bus. A paid trip (one ticket) trips, enhance attractiveness of the public transport, and thus increase the that can be used for multiple bus trips within two hours in the number of users. metropolitan area. The local transport authority in Washington D.C. Another way of attracting more people to use buses is by making encourages people to use electronic trip cards by offering a small discount public transport better, more accessible, and appealing. To this end, e- when switching from metro to bus. E-ticketing could also help improve the ticketing will be introduced in Constanța in the near future with support information about the modal split in Constanța. It can keep track of the through the 2007-2013 ROP, as the City Hall is planning to submit an 56 number of passengers who use public transport on a daily basis and order to obtain planning permits, developers should be able to show how provide information of the structure of passengers. a new development links to the existing or planned public transport network. At the same time, allowing higher densities of development next E-ticketing in Timișoara to well-served public transport corridors can create a good base for public transport and should be used in connection with other planning measures, such as capping parking provision to residential and office buildings. In several cities around the world, high-density residential and commercial development is encouraged around and within walking distance of transit stops, with lower densities elsewhere in the locality. Last but not the least, the local transport authority and the Constanța City Hall should organize campaigns to increase awareness about the benefits of public transport. To this end, such campaigns should focus on promoting public transport as a reliable, fast, comfortable, safe, cheap, and accessible means of transportation in comparison to other Source: www.ratt.ro transportation modes. The local managers should think about building an efficient mobility plan by introducing an integrated fare structure that would allow commuters Municipal Buildings traveling from the metropolitan area to Constanța to use one single ticket Municipal Buildings Benchmarking for their entire trip, regardless of how many buses they need to switch In each Romanian growth pole where the TRACE tool has been between to get into the city. implemented, the team recommended to the public administrations to Although RAT Constanța purchased some new modern buses in prepare a solid municipal buildings energy database, where all energy- the mid-2000s, the usage of the fleet is high, and some of the vehicles related information can be tracked and monitored. The same should be replaced. The city authorities are considering purchasing small, recommendation has been made to Constanța. The City Hall has some energy efficient buses with a seating and standing capacity of maximum data on electricity and heat consumption and expenditure in educational 30 people. They also hope that purchasing of rolling stock will become units and hospitals. These data can be improved to include all buildings in eligible under the next ROP. the city for which the City Hall pays energy-related expenditures, and it At the same time, the existing public transport vehicles should should be kept updated at all times. This energy database could be even be equipped with GPS systems in order to allow for the monitoring of the more useful given the fact that Constanța is planning to sign the Covenant fleet. This would allow providing useful information for passengers that of Mayors in the near future and, subsequently, will have to draw up an could help them organize better their trips. The city authorities want to energy strategy and action plan. Municipal buildings are one of the sectors place screens in the buses to display information about routes and travel that are included in the energy action plan. Therefore, a complete, time. The next bus would be announced by an automated voice service accurate, and updated data on municipal buildings will be useful not only that would also provide information on the connecting routes. for the city managers for monitoring consumption and expenditure, but Public transport development can further be enhanced by would also serve the city’s future commitment to reduce energy and changing some of the current planning regulations. The city government related greenhouse gas emissions, once the mayor signs the Covenant. should consider establishing new rules in this respect. For instance, in 57 The City Hall Constanța buildings. The database should include basic information regarding the surface area of the buildings, the annual electricity and heating consumption, and also the energy savings accomplished after renovation or thermal rehabilitation work has been performed. The City Hall Constanța should have a complete picture of energy consumption and expenditures for the buildings for which they pay electricity and heating bills. This should lay down the first step for a program that could help decrease energy expenditures in these buildings. It is essential for the local public managers of Constanța to understand the importance of this database from the perspective of the next financial programming of the EU structural funds for Romania. The data on energy consumption will be crucial for the local government when they will apply for funds under the 2014-2020 ROP, where energy efficiency will be one of the most important pillars of the program. The next ROP will offer the opportunity for municipalities to apply for funds that could help improve the overall energy efficiency of their cities by Source: www.lideruldeopinie.ro lowering the electricity and heating bills, save money for the city budget, and thus, help the city become more efficient. From this perspective, the The energy database is very useful for the implementation of any energy municipal building benchmarking process should include a database efficiency program. In most Romanian cities municipalities do not keep a comprising a range of specific information, from type of construction, date proper and reliable record on the energy consumption and expenditures of the construction and renovation or rehabilitation (if applicable), floor related to the buildings they administer. Often times, the city managers area, type of heating, etc., to information on electricity, heating, and do not know the actual heat or electricity consumption per square meter water utility bills in recent years, as well as cooling, heating, and lighting and the related expenditure for the given floor area. In other words, they system modes. do not know what they are paying for. Moreover, they do not know if The municipal buildings full audit could be prepared by some of completed energy efficiency investments were indeed effective. the departments in the City Hall, and could benefit of support from a few This TRACE recommendation encourages local authorities in external consultants, if necessary. Other local public administration Constanța to improve the database structure and the basic indicators, offices/divisions should assist the City Hall in this endeavor/process. Once expand the monitoring process to all municipal buildings in the city, and the database on municipal buildings is complete, it should be published create a complete set of information with regard to energy consumption and updated on a regular basis to enable competition among building and expenditures. This will help improve the monitoring and evaluation managers and open the path for productive exchange of information and process in order to have accurate and reliable figures that would allow for cooperation. The database could be also used for benchmarking buildings a benchmarking among the buildings in the city and, subsequently, would against each other and determining the highest potential in terms of lead to identifying the facilities with the highest energy saving potential. energy savings at the lowest cost. At the end of the day, the analysis A proper, clear, well-organized database could be used to further should be able to lay down the appropriate energy saving options. In prepare an efficient analysis of the energy saving potential of these addition, such a database could be valuable for the local public 58 administration to perform an audit of the municipal buildings in the city savings, as the reductions can get to as much as 25% of the initial and then to prioritize buildings for retrofitting. consumption. There are several examples in the TRACE database that the local authorities in Constanța should consider when improving the The Folk Art Museum in Constanța benchmarking process. One of the cities Constanța may look at is the Ukrainian city of Lviv, which stands for a good model with regard to an efficient benchmarking targeting considerable energy savings. The city was able to reduce annual energy consumption in all its 530 public buildings by 10% and cut water consumption by 12% through a Monitoring and Targeting program to control energy and water use. As of 2010, the program achieved savings of USD 1.2 million with minimal costs. The program provided the city management with monthly consumption data for district heating, natural gas, electricity and water in all municipal buildings. This information helped set annual goals based on historical consumption and negotiations on realistic adjustments. The consumption was reviewed every month and all deviations and performances were communicated to the public through a public display campaign. Subsequently, the City Hall of Lviv established a new energy management unit and trained all personnel with responsibilities on building utility use in an administrative division, unit, or building. Source: www.constanta.ro Municipal Buildings Audit and Retrofit Once the municipal building benchmarking is prepared, the next step the The city should step up its efforts toward increasing energy savings and local government in Constanța should embark on is an audit followed by a encourage both private and public buildings to be proactive and save retrofit process to enable cost savings and reduce the carbon footprint of energy in any of its forms. Some of the educational units in the city, such the city. The building audit recommended by TRACE is targeting specific as high schools and kindergartens, have been renovated and modernized. energy consumption for end users and activities, such as computers, However, the city is lagging behind in terms of the rehabilitation of lighting, air conditioning, heating systems, etc. After analyzing the results, residential buildings. Constanța is the only growth pole in Romania that the city government may come to the conclusion that it has to allocate did not apply for funds available from the Ministry of Regional money for energy efficiency upgrades, purchase new equipment, and Development and Public Administration through the program for the perform some building renovation. The retrofit program can be done in a rehabilitation of residential buildings built between 1950 and 1990. cost-effective manner by involving Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), According to city managers, the Constanța City Hall thought it would be which would pay for the initial cost of the upgrades and then share the the right thing to pay for thermal insulation for those who had enough savings from the retrofits. According to energy-related studies, audit and money to support rehabilitation work from their own pocket. retrofit programs have a tremendous contribution regarding energy Nonetheless, Constanța has tens of thousands of apartments in old residential buildings that need to be rehabilitated. 59 In any case, the city managers hope to use financial support levels. Usually, light systems have astronomic timers with geographic through the next EU structural funds for the rehabilitation of both designations, and allow for adjusting the light according to the season and residential and municipal buildings in the city. Thermal insulation of time of day. More light is required during winters when days are shorter buildings (insulation of walls, rooftops, etc.), in addition to replacing the and it gets dark early, whereas less light is needed in the summers when old windows with double-paned ones, is expected to reduce heating bills days are brighter and sunnier. Under this program, lighting and its by at least 20%. Consequently, in order to further reduce utility bills for intensity may vary based on demand at a particular time of day. For municipal buildings, local authorities may consider replacing incandescent instance, at midnight, when only a few people and cars are out on the bulbs with more efficient fluorescent ones. street, the light can be diminished automatically from a command center. Germany is one of the countries that have been very successful in By dimming the lights gradually, people’s eyes are able to adjust to lower improving energy efficiency in municipal buildings and reducing related lighting levels, and the dimming is barely noticeable. costs. A number of German cities worked out solutions aimed at reducing Several cities across the world have turned to street lighting energy consumption in municipal buildings. For example, the local timing programs. One good example in this respect is the city of Kirklees, government of Berlin, in partnership with the Berlin Energy Agency, UK, where the local municipality chose to dim lights to varying levels managed the retrofit of public and private buildings by preparing tenders throughout the day, instead of turning off the lights at certain times of the for work that would guarantee reductions in emissions. The public retrofit day. The local government installed retrofit systems on each existing tenders require an average of 26% greenhouse gas emission reduction, so lighting pole and used wireless technology to monitor and dim the street that winning Energy System Companies (ESCOs) must deliver sustainable lights. The retrofitting process simply requires adding a small antenna to energy solutions. Under this program, 1,400 buildings have been the lamp heads, which is plugged into the electronic ballast, with no need upgraded so far at no cost to owners, managing to have more than 60,400 for additional wiring. The lights are switched on at 100% at 7PM, dimmed tons per year in CO2 reductions, and generating substantial savings. In to 75% at 10PM, and then to 50% at midnight. If the lights are still on at 5 another successful story, the city of Stuttgart was able to save 7,200 tons o’clock in the morning they are increased again to 100% lighting. Light of CO2 every year through an innovative form of internal contracting that dimming programs are very efficient because they save both energy and makes use of a revolving fund to finance energy and water-saving money, reduce the brightness of bulbs at times of low road or street measures. The city invests the savings directly into new activities, thus usage, and fluctuate bulb brightness at varying times. enabling a circle of environmental improvements and emissions In the near future, Constanța will choose the next street lighting reduction. operator. It is likely that the local city managers will choose again two operators, in order to boost competition among them, and thus Street Lighting Timing Program encourage companies to provide better services. The next step would be This TRACE recommendation is focused on a lighting timing program that modernization of the street lighting system by introducing the dimming would reduce the light intensity according to the specific needs of a program. This system could be employed in certain areas in the city, like particular area. Through this inexpensive method, with a minimum neighborhoods with reduced pedestrian traffic (such as parking lots). investment of USD 100,000, the electricity consumption for lighting the Through a motion-sensor, the light turns on only when someone is streets in the city can be diminished substantially. walking by, and it stays off when nobody is present. Automatic lighting This street lighting timing program can be tailored to the specific systems are implemented in some neighborhoods in București, on small needs for lighting of a particular area. The level of lighting can be adjusted alleys and paths around residential buildings. through a monitoring system, according to varying weather and activity 60 Lighting pole in Constanța brings together thousands of local and regional authorities across Europe, and which is committed to increase the energy efficiency of their municipalities, as well as the use of renewable energy resources. The main target of this movement is to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 and, thus, make the cities more climate- friendly. This would help reduce energy consumption and decrease the level of greenhouse gas emissions, and would lead to a healthier environment and a better quality of life for citizens. After the mayor signs the Covenant, the local government prepares an action plan that translates political commitments into actions and concrete measures. Currently, there are nearly 5,000 signatories to the Covenant of Mayors, comprising more than 171 million inhabitants across Europe. More than half of the signatory cities have already submitted their Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAP) to Brussels. As of September 2013, 63 small and large cities from Romania In the near future, local government representatives want to expand the have signed the political commitment to reduce their energy consumption street lighting service to the new residential areas in the city that are by 2020. 30 of the cities have submitted their SEAPs to Brussels. Cluj- currently connected to the system. They also plan to rehabilitate and Napoca, Timișoara, Brașov, and Ploiești are four of the seven growth poles upgrade some of the street lighting poles that used to belong to RAT in Romania that have become signatories of the Covenant of Mayors. Constanța in the past (where the city used to have trolleybuses). Last but Three of them, namely Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and Brașov, have already not least, a more ambitious plan is to introduce street lighting based on submitted their SEAPs. So far, the only growth pole plan already accepted LED bulbs in newly developed residential neighborhoods. The city by the EU body is the one prepared by Brașov. Overall, the Covenant of managers hope that such investments would be developed with support Mayors approved 11 SEAPs submitted by Romanian cities, namely from the ROP. Before making this move, local authorities should Moinești, Vaslui, Alba-Iulia, Bistrița, Mizil, Slobozia, Brașov, Arad, Aiud, undertake a rigorous cost-benefit analysis. Indeed, LEDs are very efficient and Râmnicu Vâlcea, and Baia Mare. A few more cities are working on and have small energy consumption, but are also very costly, and require their SEAPs. The cities should submit their energy action plans within two serious investments. Thus, it may pay for the municipality to consider years after signing the Covenant. preparing a procurement guidebook for street lighting when choosing the The energy strategy should put together measurable and realistic operator or replacing the bulbs. targets, set out well-defined timeframes, and clearly assign responsibilities. The plan should outline what actions should be taken to Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan reduce energy consumption and outline the projects that should be One of the key recommendations to the public administration in executed to this end. Ideally, the plan should state from the beginning Constanța is the development of an Energy Efficiency and Strategy Action what are the potential energy savings and the amount of greenhouse gas Plan. This is in line with the local government’s plans in terms of energy emissions that could be reduced in connection to each project, together efficiency. In the near future, the mayor is planning to sign the Covenant with the costs incurred, and the timeframe for project implementation. of Mayors, the mainstream European movement established in 2008 that The document should mention the people within the local public administration responsible with the monitoring and implementation of 61 the plan. Representatives from across the municipality and from other action plan, such as those with regard to energy efficiency in private groups who will be responsible for the execution of the plan, as well as buildings and industrial enterprises. the stakeholders who will be affected by the plan, should come together Several cities in Europe and around the world have prepared and develop the energy strategy in a collaborative manner. their energy action plans, setting clear targets on how to reduce energy It is important for the plan to allow for carefully monitoring the consumption, and the measures that should be implemented to help the way the city is going to achieve the reduction in emissions mentioned in municipalities meet such goals. For example, Stockholm, one of the the plan, in order to ensure that intermediate targets are accomplished Covenant’s signatories, has prepared an integrated city planning and and that progress is made towards overall strategy goals. A monitoring management plan, with urban vision, environmental programs, and plan together with a host of performance indicators that can be tracked at concrete actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate regular intervals is required. Targets should indicate the level of expected change. The plan was implemented in the southern district of Hammarby progress over a given timeline. Monitoring should take into account Sjöstad, which aims to become twice as sustainable as Swedish best performance indicators, means of measurement and validating measuring standards in 1995. The district integrated resource management (i.e., processes, a schedule for measurement activity, and assignment of waste, energy, water, and sewage) through systematic stakeholder responsibilities. A well-designed plan with a set of concrete and solid collaboration, and has transformed the linear urban metabolism into a measures aimed to tackle energy consumption could also help enhance cyclical one. The first assessment indicates that the district has achieved the economic competitiveness of the city and open ways to greater local between 28% to 42% reductions in non-renewable energy use, in addition energy independence. The plan could be a good opportunity to translate to 29% to 37% reductions in global warming potential. The local public various initiatives into a coherent plan for citywide energy efficiency. In administration representatives of Constanța could draw a lesson from the end, the strategy could be an internal and external promotion tool for such examples and try to work out the most suitable measures in order to the city to gain support for future work on energy efficiency. replicate similar achievements in their municipality. In line with this TRACE recommendation, the local government of The City of Philadelphia is another good example of best Constanța seeks to reduce energy consumption and make the city become practices in terms of improving energy efficiency. The local public more sustainable and efficient. After the Covenant of Mayors is going to administration of Philadelphia employed a series of measures that helped be signed, the next step the city has to focus on is the energy action plan. the municipality make progress in their endeavor to reduce energy When preparing the plan, the city managers should have a few important consumption by 30% by 2015. These measures included a wide range of sections targeting the energy consumption in public service areas, activities from retrofitting municipal buildings, replacing the municipal including district heating, transport, municipal buildings, street lighting, vehicle fleet, encouraging conservation among employees, switching to and solid waste. The measures taken in each of these sectors should LED light-bulbs, developing energy efficiency building guidelines to include certain indicators, such as total city energy use, overall savings providing tax incentives to energy efficiency star performers, creating achieved from energy efficiency initiatives, and percentage of energy neighborhood competitions to reduce energy use, developing an energy efficiency initiatives for which data is collected every year. TRACE efficiency marketing campaign, and building energy efficient public indicators are a good starting point as they offer a number of energy housing. efficiency key performance areas, such as urban transport, municipal buildings, street lighting, water, solid waste, power, which can be used to Awareness Raising Campaigns monitor the city’s energy performance. But the plan should not be limited The final TRACE recommendation made to the local public administration to these indicators only, as other barometers could be introduced in the of Constanța is about making citizens become more knowledgeable about 62 the benefits of energy efficiency. The city government should use public Another way of promoting energy efficiency is through public education education and training campaigns in order to increase citizens’ awareness campaigns that could spread the word about the benefits related to less and understanding of the need of reducing energy consumption, as well as energy consumption. The local public administration should approach an change their attitude with regard to energy efficiency. To this end, the advertising and marketing company to work out together a strategy for municipality should provide citizens with accessible information related to providing energy-efficiency-related information to the city residents. energy efficiency in such a manner as to determine people to adjust their People can learn how to become more mindful about using energy and behavior and be more aware about how important is for the city to cut off the unnecessary consumption from a series of communication become more efficient and sustainable. With an initial investment of up to tools, such as posters, billboards, and leaflets spread across the city, but USD 1 million, public awareness campaigns could bring about 100,000 to also from announcements in the local media and advertisements. 200,000 kWh per year of energy savings. Sometimes, it is useful to involve a public utility or a business company to Energy efficiency can be promoted in several ways that could help finance such campaigns. range from advertising campaigns, public events and features in the local media to dedicated websites, training programs in schools, community Promoting selective collection in Altamira, Mexico and businesses centers, and energy efficiency champion programs. The main benefits of such public actions would be the changing in the behavior of the city residents. The indirect payback would include reduced pressure on energy infrastructure, smaller amount of greenhouse gas emissions, better air quality, and financial savings. One way of increasing public awareness is through specific training programs. The City Hall could think about partnering with an education and training provider to develop specific training programs that could be rolled out in schools and offices. In this case, the primary targets should be the big energy users, such as offices, manufacturing plants, and so forth. In addition, other stakeholders should be invited to join the programs, including non-profit organizations, utility companies, and businesses. Promoting solid waste recycling Source: www.pcwastemgmt.com Source: www.factreports.revues.org 63 One area in Constanța that needs special attention is the solid waste Similarly, the local authorities and RAT Constanța should join efforts to collection process. The 3% pertaining to solid waste collection in the city is organize information campaigns to increase awareness on the benefits of small. There is a good chance to make it go up if residents would be public transport. Such campaigns should present public transport as a provided with minimal background information on how to separate reliable, fast comfortable, safe, cheap, and accessible means of organic garbage from recyclable waste and place items in the colored bins transportation in comparison to other transport modes (including private accordingly. Polaris, the solid waste operator, and the local public vehicles). administration should organize public campaigns to teach people about Another interesting and efficient method that could help raising selective collection through leaflets and information displayed on posters awareness with respect to energy efficiency is through local energy throughout the city. Such actions should improve the city’s selective efficiency champions, individuals who could teach people about the collection rate. importance and benefits of this matter. The City Hall recruits and trains, Several cities in Romania have organized campaigns promoting on volunteer basis, individuals who could be local public authority figures solid waste collection. Timișoara is one of the cities where people or different local entities (such as non-profit organizations or businesses) responded very well to such raising awareness public actions. to have them spread the word about the benefits of reducing energy Subsequently, the collection rate of recyclable waste in the city increased consumption and spending. These champions become the frontline significantly, from a few percentages to over 12%. vectors in promoting reduction of energy use. They stay in touch with a The same approach could be used with regard to promoting designated person from the City Hall who provides them with both public transport or non-motorized transportation. For example, once the knowledge and logistical support, but also monitors the progress of each new dedicated bike network paths will be built in partnership with the City champion involved in the program. In addition, the local public of Balchik in Bulgaria, the Constanța City Hall should encourage people to administration would also keep an eye on the overall effectiveness of the use bicycles, and thus rely less on their private cars. program. As success indicators, they could consider the number of people participating in training programs, the number of hits to energy efficiency websites, articles in the media about energy efficiency in the city, and number of champions trained. One good example of how public campaigns on energy efficiency can make people become more interested in the subject is provided by the County of Meath in Ireland. The local authorities extended its Energy Awareness Week to all residents of the County by using a dynamic campaign to raise public awareness among consumers through a variety of activities, such as visits to schools, information display, widespread media coverage, competitions, a “Car Free Day,” and an offer of CFL light bulbs. Not only did the campaign help significantly increase the number of requests for energy efficiency from people, but it encouraged the county residents to choose sustainable energy and transport options in the future. The overall cost of the campaign was under USD 5,000, in addition Source: www.irenesoo.wordpress.com; www.bangalore.citizenmatters.in to prizes and sponsorships provided by local companies and other energy related entities. 64 65 66 Detailed Recommendations from TRACE Improving Energy Efficiency in Constanța, Romania Annex 1: District Heating Network Maintenance & Upgrade /68 Annex 2: Public Transportation Development /72 Annex 3: Parking Restraint Measures /76 Annex 4: Non-Motorized Transport Modes /80 Annex 5: Municipal Buildings Benchmarking /84 Annex 6: Municipal Buildings Audit and Retrofit /91 Annex 7: Street Lighting Timing /95 Annex 8: Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan /98 Annex 9: Awareness Raising Campaigns /102 Annex 10: List of abbreviations for cities in the TRACE database /107 67 ANNEX 1: District Heating Network Maintenance & Upgrade DESCRIPTION ATTRIBUTES Many cities already have established district heating networks. The primary plant (boilers), may Energy Savings Potential be operating at low efficiencies, or the pipework distribution networks may have poor or no > 200,000 kWh/annum insulation thereby losing thermal energy or considerable amounts of water through leakage. First Cost Advances in materials, boiler design or alternative system configuration (for example, improved > US$1,000,000 heat exchange) mean that higher efficiencies can be achieved, and there are various different Speed of Implementation methods for detecting leaks. More energy can be delivered to the end user through primary plant > 2 years upgrades, pipework repair and replacement and better insulation. Co-Benefits Reduced carbon emissions The aim is of this recommendation is to develop a program for maintenance and retrofits to Efficient water use upgrade boiler plant, pumps, pipework or insulation. Improved air quality Financial savings District energy networks are inherently more efficient than individual systems, but further energy Security of supply efficiencies could be gained through repairing pipework and upgrading insulation, delivering more resource, operational cost and carbon emission savings. IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS Implementation Methodology Activity The City Authority establishes appropriate partnerships to undertake a feasibility study. The CA should engage a team that includes network planners, power and heat engineers, environmental specialists and financial advisors to ensure the feasibility study captures all pertinent aspects. Feasibility Study The feasibility study establishes the technological and financial viability, as well as procurement and policy options. It establishes the baseline city energy expenditure associated with power and heat supply and the efficiency of their distribution across the network(s). Technical ability, procurement methodology, incentives and taxes should also be given consideration. 68 Each option should be appraised against the specific requirements and capabilities of the CA. The City Authority invests in the maintenance of the network as well as upgrades of the infrastructure where necessary. The main expenditures associated with a replacement program are the capital cost of plant and the civil works to access networks where the pipework is buried. The City Authority can pay for these items directly out of the city budget, and Direct expenditures recoup the investment through lower primary fuel costs. & procurement The City Authority invests in the maintenance of the network as well as upgrades of the infrastructure where necessary. The main expenditures associated with a replacement program are the capital cost of plant and pumps and the civil works to access networks where the pipework is buried. The City Authority can pay for these items directly out of the city budget, and recoup the investment through lower primary fuel costs. The City Authority contracts with an Energy Services Company (ESCO) to assume management of the district heating network, and maintain and investing in repairs to ensure consistent and efficient supply to users. The benefit of this approach is that the CA does not have to commit to Energy Services significant financial investment in the project or retain ownership of the Company project related risks. There are a number of potential ESCO contractual structures and it is recommended that if the City Authority explores the various advantages and disadvantages of each. See Jiamusi case study for further details. The City Authority passes legislation or creates policy that requires minimum efficiency levels in both the generation and supply Legal or Statutory infrastructure of the district heating network. The efficiency levels should be set to ensure that the replacement program is staggered, targeting the worst performing assets first. 69 MONITORING Monitoring the progression and effectiveness of recommendations, once implemented, is fundamental to an accurate understanding of their value over the longer term. Where the CA implements a recommendation a target (or set of targets) should be defined that indicates the level of expected progress over a given timescale. At the same time a monitoring plan should be designed. The monitoring plan does not need to be complicated or time consuming but should, as a minimum, cover the following aspects: identification of information sources, identification of performance indicators, a means of measurement and validating measuring equipment or processes, record keeping protocols, a schedule for measurement activity (daily, weekly, monthly etc.), assignment of responsibilities for each aspect of the process, a means of auditing and reviewing performance and finally, establishment of reporting and review cycles. Some suggested measures that relate specifically to this recommendation are as follows:  Establish baseline energy losses due to pipework and pumps(kWh/annum) ;  Establish baseline water losses due to pipework and pumps(l/annum);  Establish the City Authority goal for losses (kWh/annum) due to potential network upgrades;  Compare actual program performance with targeted performance. CASE STUDIES District heating network pipe maintenance, Seoul, Korea DBDH, Direct Access to District Heating Technology "Seoul Metropolitan District Heating Network", http://www.e-pages.dk/dbdh/12/ Established in 1985 by a public corporation, the district heating network in Seoul supplies 10,604 GWh of district heating and cooling to 832,000 households, commercial buildings and public buildings. During its first five years of operation, the network suffered from service interruptions caused by construction failures as pre-insulated pipe construction had only just been introduced in Korea and construction skills were too low to assure a good quality pipe construction. By the mid 2000s, 300 km of pre-insulated pipelines (20% of the total length) were around 20 years old, and investigation into pipe construction failure showed that these were mainly caused by loose casing joints (51%) and the use of improper materials (21%). In order to improve the reliability of the supply network, and thereby reduce the cost of water and energy losses, the company invested in improving pipe construction skills and used a leak detection system which enables them to locate 'defaults'. As the leak detection system does not work well with the old pipes, faults are also located by means of "thermal graphic camera" and "injection gas to pipelines" methods. District heating network upgrade, Jiamusi, China DBDH, Direct Access to District Heating Technology "Dalkia Management of Jiamusi Urban Heating Network" http://dbdh.dk/images/uploads/pdf-news/hotcool_1_2010_low.pdf Due to a chronic lack of funds, the Jiamusi district heating network had for many years suffered from reduced maintenance, which had resulted in large energy and water losses. As interruption of service and low in-door temperature were the norm, the operator of the 70 network, Jiamusi Heating Company (JHC), experienced increased dissatisfaction from its users. In May 2007 JHC, which was owned by the municipality, signed a 25-year agreement with an energy services company to take responsibility for the management of the network. A large-scale initiative to improve performance and upgrade the network's facilities was implemented. The heat supply temperature was raised; 90 new substations were built; and a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system was installed, enabling real-time management of the substations and the network, and resulting in improved optimization of energy efficiency and user's comfort. As a result, water losses were reduced by 30%, and energy consumption by 13.5%. By improving service quality, the company improved its customer relationships and was able to reduce the bad debt rate from 7% to 2%. The network has begun expansion and after two years of operation, it has increased its supply from 5.5 million sq. m (29% of the total heating surface) by 56% to 8.6 million sq. m. TOOLS & GUIDANCE Tools & Guidance DHCAN "District Heating System Rehabilitation and Modernization and Modernization Guide" projects.bre.co.uk/DHCAN/pdf/Modernisation.pdf. A guidance document for technical improvements resulting in higher energy efficiency and reduction of primary energy use. It attempts to set out a range of solutions from low-cost to high-cost, with consideration of financial circumstances, and links this to the fundamental need for a strategic view. IEA "Coming in from the Cold- Improving District Heating Policy in Transition Economies" http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2004/cold.pdf. A document which summarises the institutional experiences of district heating rehabilitation, with focus on delivering clear policy on district heating. ESMAP Public Procurement of Energy Efficiency Services - Guide of good procurement practice from around the world. http://www.esmap.org/Public_Procurement_of_Energy_Efficiency_Services.pdf 71 ANNEX 2: Public Transport Development DESCRIPTION ATTRIBUTES Develop or improve the public transport system and take measures to increase its accessibility Energy Savings Potential and use. Public transport achieves lower emissions per capita than private cars, and has the > 200,000 kWh/annum potential to provide equitable transport network. A reduction in the number of private vehicles in First Cost circulation can lower emissions and improve air quality. > US$1,000,000 Speed of Implementation IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS > 2 years Implementation Co-Benefits Methodology Reduced carbon emissions Activity Improved air quality The City Authority establishes dedicated bus priority measures. This Enhanced public health & safety enables buses to bypass traffic queues enhancing their reliability and Bus priority journey times. There are a range of measures including bus lanes and priority at junctions that could be implemented. See the Bogota case study for further details. The City Authority invests in the necessary infrastructure for bus-priority signaling. Such systems are linked to buses via transponders which use GIS Signaling information, and favor the circulation of approaching buses either by extending green lights for buses or by shortening cycle for cars. The City Authority provides good quality passenger waiting facilities and as well as good information services. The provision of real-time bus Information countdown information allows users to understand and manage waiting times. These services enhance the attractiveness of public transport. The City Authority invests in the necessary infrastructure for electronic ticketing. This allows for use of multiple buses within a given amount of Operations time with one ticket, reducing the cost of travel, putting buses within the reach of the poorest, while attracting a wider patron base, when in combination with other modes, such as heavy rail or metro. Planning The City Authority links development densities to public transport 72 regulations & availability and funding. The City Authority reviews the city's zoning guidelines ordinances and considers making the following changes: Increase the permitted floor area ratio/ plot ratio on sites located near public transport hubs. In areas where it is appropriate re-zone single-use lands to allow multiple uses on the same site. Allowing higher densities of development along well-served public transport corridors creates a patron base for public transport and can be used in combination with other planning measures, such as capping parking provision to residential and office buildings, thus discouraging car use. Developers are required to show how a new development links to the existing or planned public transport network in order to gain planning permission. See the Curitiba case study for further details. The City Authority subsidizes travel on public transport. In certain areas Subsidies this can provide an incentive for people to use public transport. MONITORING Monitoring the progression and effectiveness of recommendations, once implemented, is fundamental to an accurate understanding of their value over the longer term. Where the CA implements a recommendation a target (or set of targets) should be defined that indicates the level of expected progress over a given timescale. At the same time a monitoring plan should be designed. The monitoring plan does not need to be complicated or time consuming but should, as a minimum, cover the following aspects: identification of information sources, identification of performance indicators, a means of measurement and validating measuring equipment or processes, record keeping protocols, a schedule for measurement activity (daily, weekly, monthly etc.), assignment of responsibilities for each aspect of the process, a means of auditing and reviewing performance and finally, establishment of reporting and review cycles. Some suggested measures that relate specifically to this recommendation are as follows:  Perform surveys of public transport passenger numbers;  Determine mode share of people travelling in area or city. 73 CASE STUDIES BRT system, Bogota, Colombia Source: ESMAP (2009). "Good practices in city energy efficiency: Bogota, Colombia - Bus Rapid Transit for Urban Transport Energy", available online from http://esmap.org/esmap/sites/esmap.org/files/Bogota_Case_Study_020310.pdf With the completion of its first two phases, the TransMilenio BRT system serves about 1.5 million passengers every day and has city-wide fuel consumption by 47%. Key success factors have been city-wide comprehensive planning of infrastructure, use of state-of-the-art technologies, implementation of a variety of design features to accommodate high volumes of passengers, and the use of a simple single price faring system. It does not require subsidies for operation - these are fully covered by fares. The project's capital cost totalled USD 240 million. The system is managed by a company which was set up by the Mayor, but runs independently from the city administration. While the company is in charge of all planning, maintenance and construction of infrastructure as well as organizing of schedules of bus services, buses and drivers are contracted through private firms, resulting in a complex but innovative management structure. Land Use and Public Transport Planning, Curitiba, Brazil Source: World Bank (2010). "Curitiba, Brazil -- Cost Is No Barrier to Ecological and Economic Urban Planning, Development, and Management . In ECO2 Cities: Ecological Cities as Economic Cities, pages 169-182." available online from http://www.esmap.org/esmap/sites/esmap.org/files/CS_Curitiba.pdf The case of Curitiba, Brazil, shows that cost is no barrier to ecological and economic urban planning, development, and management. Curitiba has developed a sustainable urban environment through integrated urban planning. To avoid unplanned sprawl, Curitiba directed urban growth linearly along strategic axes, along which the city encouraged high density commercial and residential development linked to the city’s integrated master plan and land use zoning. Curitiba adopted an affordable but innovative bus system rather than expensive railways that require significant time to implement. Curitiba’s efficient and well-designed bus system serves most of the urban area, and public transportation (bus) ridership has reached 45 percent. The city now has less traffic congestion, which has reduced fuel consumption and enhanced air quality. The green area has been increased, mainly in parks that have been created to improve flood prevention and through regulations that have enabled the transfer of development rights to preserve green areas and cultural heritage zones. Linking development densities to public transport availability, Curitiba, Brazil Source: Rabinovitch, J. (1992) "Curitiba: towards sustainable urban development", Environment and Urbanization, Vol.4 (2) pp. 62-73 Curitiba's Master Plan integrated transportation with land use planning. Zoning laws are used to direct linear growth by attracting residential and commercial density along a mass transportation lane. High-density residential and commercial development is permitted within walking distance of stops, with much lower densities elsewhere in the city. The city's central area is partly closed to vehicular traffic, and pedestrian streets have been created. In addition, a strict street hierarchy safeguards the right of way for the current BRT, which has significantly contributed to the success of the transportation network. Integrated urban planning and efficient resource use, Singapore Good practices in City Energy Efficiency: Eco2 Cities - Land and Resource Management in Singapore, available online 74 http://www.esmap.org/esmap/node/1230 Singapore is an island city-state at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. With a limited land area of 700 square kilometers and a population of 4.8 million, Singapore has become developed because of innovative urban planning integrated with the efficient use of land and natural resources. Singapore’s small size poses challenges related to the availability of land and natural resources. To optimize land use, Singapore promotes high-density development not only for businesses and commercial entities, but also for residential structures. High density lends itself to higher economic productivity per unit of land and facilitates the identification of green spaces and natural areas for preservation. Furthermore, high-density development has translated into greater use of public transportation as major business, commercial, and residential areas are well connected to an integrated public transportation network. In 2004, public transportation as a share of all transportation modes during morning peak hours reached 63 percent. The significant use of public transportation helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. High public transportation ridership also means Singapore has been able to recover all public transportation operating costs from fares, a feat achieved only by Hong Kong, China, and by Singapore among modern, highly developed cities. Integrated regional urban planning, Auckland, New Zealand Good Practices in City Energy Efficiency: Eco2 Cities - Integrated Regional Urban Planning in Auckland, available online http://www.esmap.org/esmap/node/1227 The interconnectedness of national and local Auckland issues (such as housing and education) with growth and innovation and the major required investments (particularly in land transport) have created complex and difficult issues among multiple authorities. Despite Auckland’s importance to the New Zealand economy and the areas of common interest, such as transportation and energy provision, the national government did not initially play a close role in directing regional and local government planning. Concern emerged that, without agreement on an overarching regional strategy and framework, decision making in the region could become ad hoc and adversarial if each stakeholder tried to have a say from a narrow perspective and without viewing the region as a whole. As a result, there was a clear need for coordinated strategic planning across the Auckland Region to ensure that Auckland would be able to remain competitive in today’s globalized world. The response involved the preparation in 2001 of a regional growth strategy that aimed to provide a vision of what Auckland could be like in 50 years. TOOLS & GUIDANCE Tools & Guidance Public Transport Authority Western Australia (2009). "Bus Priority Measures Principles and Design" A guidance document for planning bus priority methods and approaches. Available online from http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/PublicationsandPolicies/DesignandPlanningGuidelines/tabid/109/Default.aspx Transport for London (2006). "Accessible bus stop design guidance" A guidance document for designing bus stops which help make boarding easier for passengers. Available online from http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/businessandpartners/accessibile_bus_stop_design_guidance.pdf 75 ANNEX 3: Parking Restraint Measures DESCRIPTION ATTRIBUTES Restricting parking availability discourages car use and provides an incentive to use more Energy Savings Potential sustainable modes of transport, including public transport. Removing vehicles from 100,000-200,000 kWh/annum circulation reduces fuel use and reduces congestion effects. First Cost < US$100,000 IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS Speed of Implementation Implementation > 2 years Methodology Co-Benefits Activity Reduced carbon emissions The City Authority introduces planning measures which determine Improved air quality car parking provision for residential and office developments. Enhanced public health & safety Introducing maximum parking allowances with low car-to-unit ratios Increased employment discourages private-car acquisition and use. Such measures do not affect the existing parking provision, however, and so need to be Planning supported by additional measures. While areas of intervention can measures be defined, larger coverage is more effective as it has less potential to overwhelm surrounding areas. A gradient approach solves this by making requirements less stringent from the centre to the periphery. These measures safeguard energy use and efficiency in design and thereby bear no immediate cost to the city authority. See London case study for further details. The City Authority charges for on-street parking. Implementing a charging regime for car parking and formalizing parking arrangements will enable the parking stock to be controlled and Parking fees generate a revenue stream for sustainable transport measures. This type of approach requires a supporting system for enforcement, e.g. traffic wardens who issue fines to perpetrators, and are politically very sensitive measures. See San Francisco case study for details. Park & Ride The City Authority promotes multimodality by providing Park & Ride facilities locations at key interchanges. By linking parking to public transport 76 use, the necessities of non-inner city residents are considered. The success of Park & Ride is linked to availability of public transport and unavailability of cheap parking in central locations. The perceived cost should be lower than that of driving the entire way. Measures of this kind often require major capital investment in infrastructure by the city authority with respect to 'Park & Ride' locations on the periphery of the city, bus terminals and additional buses. See Oxford case study for further details. Complementary implementation activity: Planning measures MONITORING Monitoring the progression and effectiveness of recommendations, once implemented, is fundamental to an accurate understanding of their value over the longer term. Where the CA implements a recommendation a target (or set of targets) should be defined that indicates the level of expected progress over a given timescale. At the same time a monitoring plan should be designed. The monitoring plan does not need to be complicated or time consuming but should, as a minimum, cover the following aspects: identification of information sources, identification of performance indicators, a means of measurement and validating measuring equipment or processes, record keeping protocols, a schedule for measurement activity (daily, weekly, monthly etc.), assignment of responsibilities for each aspect of the process, a means of auditing and reviewing performance and finally, establishment of reporting and review cycles. Some suggested measures that relate specifically to this recommendation are as follows:  Perform surveys of parking stock and usage.  Perform traffic surveys of number of vehicles in circulation by using traffic counters.  Determine the average travelling speeds on the main transport corridors.  Determine the mode share of people travelling in the area or city.  Perform statistical analysis of rate of growth of car registration data. CASE STUDIES Parking standards, London Plan, London, UK London (2010). "Chapter 6: Transport" in The London Plan, available from http://www.london.gov.uk/shaping-london/london-plan/docs/chapter6.pdf pp.160-161. The London Plan establishes maximum parking guidelines for residential development. It stipulates that all developments in areas of good public transport accessibility should aim for significantly less than 1 parking space per unit. The main challenge continues to consist of 77 ensuring that these standards are supported other measures which reduce car dependency, both within the development and in the surrounding area, e.g. improved and increased public transportation accessibility. SF park curbside parking, San Francisco, USA Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (2010) "U.S. Parking Policies: An Overview of Management Strategies", available online from http://www.itdp.org/documents/ITDP_US_Parking_Report.pdf San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency's (SFMTA) installed new electronic, multi-space meters in 2009 and will activate parking spot sensors attached to the pavement sometime in 2010. The aim is to use pricing to help redistribute the demand for parking. The heart of SFpark is a Data Management System which sorts a tremendous amount of data collected from the networked array of remote sensors in all 6,000 parking spots. These wireless sensors can detect whether a spot is occupied by a vehicle and report parking occupancy information in real time to a central computer. The project will produce valuable data about the effect of meter pricing on occupancy. By 2010 the project will encompass 6,000 of San Francisco's 25,000 metered curbside parking spots in seven pilot neighborhoods. Parking fees, Aspen, US Source: Victoria Transport Policy Institute (2010). "Parking Pricing Implementation Guidelines", available online from http://www.vtpi.org/parkpricing.pdf The city used to suffer from high levels of congested on-street parking. In order to reduce the effects of the "ninety-minute shuffle" (where locals and downtown commuters moved their vehicles every 90 minutes to avoid a parking ticket), the city introduced charges for on- street parking using multi-space meters. Parking fees are highest in the center and decline with distance from the core. The city had a marketing campaign to let motorists know about the meters, including distribution of one free prepaid parking meter card to each resident to help familiarize them with the system. Motorists were allowed one free parking violation, and parking control officers provide an hour of free parking to drivers confused by the meters. Park-and-Ride, Oxford, United Kingdom Oxford City Council (2009). "Park and Ride Transfer", available online from http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decTS/Park_and_Ride_occw.htm Oxford city has five Park-and-Ride sites serving the city's shoppers, visitors and commuters. These sites used to charge for parking to provide income to cover operational costs, but were not able to generate additional money for repairs or improvement. In order to achieve savings, the management of the Park-and-Ride sites was transferred to Oxfordshire county, resulting in efficiency savings of 250,000 GBP per year for the city administration. These savings were achieved primarily through economies of scale, and by sharing the cost of providing the service with taxpayers across the County, and not just those in the city - both of which used the facilities. 78 TOOLS & GUIDANCE Tools & Guidance Victoria Transport Policy Institute (2010). "Parking Management: Strategies, Evaluation and Planning" A comprehensive guidance document for planning and implementation of parking management strategies. Available online from http://www.vtpi.org/park_man.pdf Victoria Transport Policy Institute (2010). "Parking Pricing Implementation Guidelines" A guidance document for implementation of parking pricing with details on overcoming common obstacles. Available online from http://www.vtpi.org/parkpricing.pdf Spillar, R. (1997). "A Comprehensive Planning and Design Manual for Park-and-Ride Facilities" A guidance document for the planning and design of Park-and-Ride facilities. Available online from http://www.pbworld.com/library/fellowship/spillar 79 ANNEX 4: Non-motorized Transport Modes DESCRIPTION ATTRIBUTES Non-motorised transport modes have zero operational fuel consumption and require low capital Energy Savings Potential costs for implementation. In addition to improving the health of users, their use reduces noise 100,000-200,000 kWh/annum pollution and improves air quality. Benefits include improved air quality, lower operating costs First Cost for users and providers, and lower infrastructure requirements. > US$1,000,000 Speed of Implementation IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS > 2 years Implementation Co-Benefits Methodology Reduced carbon emissions Activity Improved air quality The City Authority pedestrianizes networks of streets or larger city areas. Enhanced public health & safety Either permanent or temporary, the closure of streets to motor vehicles increases public awareness of non-motorised modes and removes noisy and polluting vehicles, as well as creating opportunities for street markets Pedestrianization and other initiatives. The City Authority researches the feasibility and probable take-up from origin and destination surveys, existing mode splits, and subsequently designs networks to suit commuting patterns and local/neighbourhood travel. See Oxford case study for further details. The City Authority includes dedicated cycle / walking route networks in its transportation or city land use plans. Replacement or reservation of rights- of-way in new-built areas creates the necessary conditions for adopting Dedicated non-motorised modes that may otherwise be less favoured if roads cater networks to cars only. The key to success is the linkage of cycle and pedestrian networks at local level, and the quality of the environment provided, that requires good drainage and adequate lighting and shading. See Bogota case study for further details. The City Authority makes micro credits available which can be used to increase the ownership of bicycles. Increased cycle ownership can have Microcredits significant financial benefits to low-income workers who may no longer be dependent upon expensive, inefficient and infrequent public transport. 80 See Lima case study for further details. The City Authority introduces bicycle rental programs which provide bicycles on demand for a fee. The key factor for success to is the setting of tariffs that encourage use as well as security procedures that avoid and penalise theft. Registered-user schemes require a credit card or bank Rental programs details of users, but are not necessarily open to all. Non-registered user schemes are more flexible, but more open to abuse. Branding of bicycles and facilities can create revenue for local authority. See Paris case study for further details. MONITORING Monitoring the progression and effectiveness of recommendations, once implemented, is fundamental to an accurate understanding of their value over the longer term. Where the CA implements a recommendation a target (or set of targets) should be defined that indicates the level of expected progress over a given timescale. At the same time a monitoring plan should be designed. The monitoring plan does not need to be complicated or time consuming but should, as a minimum, cover the following aspects: identification of information sources, identification of performance indicators, a means of measurement and validating measuring equipment or processes, record keeping protocols, a schedule for measurement activity (daily, weekly, monthly etc.), assignment of responsibilities for each aspect of the process, a means of auditing and reviewing performance and finally, establishment of reporting and review cycles. Some suggested measures that relate specifically to this recommendation are as follows:  Perform surveys of the number of cycles in circulation by using traffic counters on roads and cycle lanes;  Determine the mode share of people travelling in the area or city;  Determine KPIs such as % non-motorized transport mode, modal shift, km of dedicated cycle/walking infrastructure, take-up of cycle promotion schemes by analyzing registers of subsidies. CASE STUDIES Pedestrianization with road closures, Oxford, England European Commission, Directorate General for the Environment (2004). "Reclaiming city streets for people: Chaos or quality of life?", available online from http://ec.europa.eu/environment/pubs/pdf/streets_people.pdf 81 The main retail streets have been fully pedestrianized, while other through roads in the central area are only accessible to buses and pedestrians. The adoption of a step by step, integrated approach to the implementation of the road closure program has been seen as critical to the success of the significant road space reallocation element of the scheme. Opposition to the USD 6 million scheme was raised most notably on the basis that traffic congestion on two key routes in the city would worsen, as well as from retailers concerned about delivery access and trade levels. These concerns were attended to via an extensive consultation process and an effective publicity campaign prior to the implementation of the scheme. This included leaflets, advertisements on buses, city-wide poster boards, and a series of press releases Dedicated cycle network, Bogota, Colombia C40 Cities (2010). "Bogota, Colombia: Bogota's CicloRuta is one of the most comprehensive cycling systems in the world", available online from http://www.c40cities.org/bestpractices/transport/bogota_cycling.jsp CicloRutas is considered a unique cycling network where design has taken the topography of the city into consideration in order to create maximum flow and function (manmade and natural features, hills, waterways, parklands, essential facilities). In a period of just 7 years, following an investment of USD 50 million, the use of bicycles on the network increased by more than 268%. CicloRutas plays an important role for lower income groups, as more than 23% of the trips made by the lowest income group in the city are by walking or by bike. The development of CicloRutas has also helped to recover public space along riverbanks and wetlands, as for many years the city's wetlands were occupied by illegal settlements. Bicycle micro credits, Lima, Peru ICLEI (2009). "Case study 46: Assistance to purchase bicycles - Lima, Peru" in Sustainable Urban Energy Planning: A handbook for cities and towns in developing countries, available online from http://www.unhabitat.org/pmss/listItemDetails.aspx?publicationID=2839 In 1990, the Municipality of Lima set up a micro-credit programme to help low income citizens purchase bicycles. By saving on daily public transportation costs, workers can see their income effectively rise more than 12% once the loan is paid off. In order to enhance the success of the program, efforts have been made at standardizing the use of bicycles in the city. Actions to achieve this have so far consisted of the development of a manual of technical standards for the design and planning of cycle ways. Bicycle rental, Velib, Paris, France C40 Cities (2010). "Paris, France Velib - a new Paris love affair", available from http://www.c40cities.org/bestpractices/transport/paris_cycling.jsp Paris launched a 24/7 cycle hire scheme through Velib; a public private partnership between the city of Paris and a company led by a major advertising group. Users must purchase a subscription by day, week or year, and bike rental is free for the first half hour of every individual trip, after which it costs a fixed rate. The increasing price scale ensures the bikes are kept in circulation. Notably, the City of Paris generates revenues from the project without any investment (which cost USD 108 million). The public-private partnership is the reason for this success, with the private company paying operating costs plus rights to advertising space to the City, funded by advertising revenues. 82 TOOLS & GUIDANCE Tools & Guidance Sustrans (2007). "Technical guidelines for the development of cycle facilities" A series of guidance documents for professionals on the details of bicycle network design. Available online from http://www.sustrans.org.uk/resources/design-and-construction/technical- guidelines Transport for London (2010). "London Cycling Design Standards" A guidance document for designing to reduce barriers to cycling, in order to support road safety targets. Available online from http://www.tfl.gov.uk/businessandpartners/publications/2766.aspx 83 ANNEX 5: Municipal Buildings Benchmarking DESCRIPTION ATTRIBUTES Develop a municipal buildings energy benchmarking program which collects and reports on an Energy Savings Potential annual basis the energy use, energy bills, water use, water bills, floor areas, and names of 100,000-200,000 kWh/annum building facility managers (if any). The goal of the program is to identify the highest energy First Cost intensive buildings in the CA portfolio so as to focus on the best energy efficiency opportunities. < US$100,000 The benefits of the program are to use energy efficiency program resources most effectively and Speed of Implementation to spend time and money on the easy wins first. The program will also establish annual data for 1-2 years use in energy/carbon footprint for municipal operations. Co-Benefits This recommendation is best-suited to larger cities with the size and capacity to implement such Reduced carbon emissions a program. Regular monitoring and analysis of building energy consumption and identifying Efficient water use improvement opportunities is a good starting point for most cities. However, setting a proper Improved air quality benchmark requires detailed analysis because similar buildings can have significantly varying Financial savings underlying factors, for example, types of tenants, occupancy density (people per square meter). IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS Implementation Methodology Activity Appoint, or allocate 1-2 staff with the skills, experience and personality Appoint required to be able to gather a wide variety of data from many Benchmarking departments across the city administration. Alternatively hire an external Leader consultant as a leader for the below activities. Define essential and desirable information useful for an energy benchmarking database. Electricity bills are only one part of the benchmarking database, and many other key data points are required to Identify contextualize the information. Data may include: Benchmarking  building name and address Requirements  electrical, gas, water utility account numbers  electrical, gas, water utility bills for past 3 years  building floor areas  energy and water meter locations and associated floor areas 84  date constructed and date of major renovation  building facilities manager (if any)  building heating, cooling, lighting system types Set up an efficient process to collect data for the database. Identify which department and which individuals are likely to have access to desired information. Define which data should be collected every year and set up Set data collection a method to receive the data every year. Set up a method to check and strategy verify data and allow time for validation. Some data may not exist in CA departments, and if so, primary data must be collected by Benchmarking Team (i.e. floor areas, areas allocated to meters) Appoint junior staff to begin the arduous process of requesting data, receiving data, checking data, and collecting primary data from the source. Begin collecting Alternatively write an RFP and award a contract with a specific scope of data work to gather energy benchmarking data for all municipal buildings. Data can be stored in spreadsheets or dedicated energy software tools. Care should be taken to ensure quality checks are undertaken at a detailed level to ensure accuracy of data entry. Conduct an analysis of collected data to ensure accuracy and begin to identify opportunities. Some examples of analysis include:  compare kWh/m2/yr electricity consumption by building type  compare kWh/m2/yr heating energy by building type Analyze and  compare total $/m2/yr energy consumption by building type Interpret Data Starting with buildings with the highest and lowest performance, verify the floor areas allocated to the utility meters and note any special situations which may increase or decrease energy use (server rooms, unoccupied space, renovations, etc.) Formulate a The results of the analysis stage must be used to formulate a benchmark Bespoke suitable for the underlying factors affecting energy use in the city. This is Benchmark required as these factors may vary significantly from city to city and 85 between different buildings. These factors could include:  types of tenants  occupancy density (persons/m2)  building energy management This benchmarking is usually done for the purposes of building labeling. See Singapore case study for further details. One of the most significant motivators for energy efficiency in building operations is peer pressure as no building owners or operators want to be Present seen as having the worst performing buildings. So sharing building energy Benchmarking intensity internally across departments and operators will inherently Internally improve energy consumption. This will also allow operators to share experiences to allow knowledge sharing across the CA. The boldest statement to show leadership in building energy efficiency is to publish energy performance data to the public, press, voters, and potential political opponents. This last stage of the benchmarking Publish program may be many years after the commencement of the program Benchmarking when the data shows improvements and tells a good story of progress Publically toward efficiency in government operations. The CA could then challenge (or require as some cities have begun to do) private building owners to benchmark their buildings and publish their results. MONITORING Monitoring the progression and effectiveness of recommendations, once implemented, is fundamental to an accurate understanding of their value over the longer term. Where the CA implements a recommendation a target (or set of targets) should be defined that indicates the level of expected progress over a given timescale. At the same time a monitoring plan should be designed. The monitoring plan does not need to be complicated or time consuming but should, as a minimum, cover the following aspects: identification of information sources, identification of performance indicators, a means of measurement and validating measuring equipment or processes, record keeping protocols, a schedule for measurement activity (daily, weekly, monthly etc.), assignment of responsibilities for each aspect of the process, a means of auditing and reviewing performance and finally, establishment of reporting and review cycles. 86 Some suggested measures that relate specifically to this recommendation are as follows:  kWhe/m2 - annual electrical energy intensity by type of building (Schools, Offices, Residential, Hospital, Misc);  kWht/m2 - annual heating energy intensity by type of building;  $/m2 - annual energy cost intensity by type of building. CASE STUDIES Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings, Kiev, Ukraine Source: ESMAP (2010). "Good Practices in City Energy Efficiency: Kiev, Ukraine - Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings", available online from http://www.esmap.org/esmap/node/656 Under the Kiev Public Buildings Energy Efficiency Project, 1,270 public buildings in the city of Kiev--including healthcare, educational and cultural facilities—were retrofitted with cost-effective, energy-efficiency systems and equipment. The project focused on the supply-side, such as automation and control systems, and demand-side measures, including installation of metering and weatherization, as well as a sound heating tariff policy. The project was undertaken by the Kiev City State Administration (KCSA). Savings from the retrofitting were estimated at 333,423 Gigacalories (Gcal)/year by 2006--normalized by degree/days in the base-line year--or about a 26% savings compared to the buildings’ heat consumption before the project. These upgrades also improved the buildings’ comfort level, helped fost er an energy efficiency services industry, and raised public awareness of the importance of energy efficiency. The project cost US$27.4 million and was financed through a World Bank loan, Swedish Government grant, and KCSA funds. Based on the project’s success, many other cities in Ukraine have requested information on the project and expressed interest in implementing similar ones for their public buildings. Building Energy Efficiency Master Plan (BEEMP), Singapore http://www.esu.com.sg/pdf/research6_greece/Methodology_of_Building_Energy_Performance_Benchmarking.pdf http://www.bdg.nus.edu.sg/BuildingEnergy/energy_masterplan/index.html The Inter-Agency Committee on Energy Efficiency (IACEE) report identified strategic directions to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings, industries and transport sectors. The Building Energy Efficiency Master Plan (BEEMP), formulated by the Building & Construction Authority (BCA), details the various initiatives taken by the BCA to fulfill these recommendations. The plan contains programmes and measures that span the whole life cycle of a building. It begins with a set of energy efficiency standards to ensure buildings are designed right from the start and continues with a programme of energy management to ensure their operating efficiency is maintained throughout their life span. The BEEMP consists of the following programmes:  Review and update of energy standards  Energy audit of selected buildings  Energy efficiency indices (EEI) and performance benchmark  Energy management of public buildings 87  Performance contracting  Research and development Energy Smart Building Labeling Programme, Singapore http://www.e2singapore.gov.sg/buildings/energysmart-building-label.html The Energy Smart Building Labeling Programme, developed by the Energy Sustainability Unit (ESU) of the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the National Environment Agency (NEA), aims to promote energy efficiency and conservation in the buildings sector by according recognition to energy efficient buildings. The Energy Smart Tool is an online benchmarking system that can be used to evaluate the energy performances of office and hotel buildings. It enables building owners to review the energy consumption patterns within their buildings and compare them against the industry norms. An Energy Smart Building Label, reviewed every three years, is awarded to winners as part of an annual awards ceremony. Apart from helping to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions within the buildings sector, Energy Smart Buildings stand to:  Reap energy savings due to active energy management  Enjoy higher satisfaction levels by occupants  Enhance the company's corporate image Municipal Energy Efficiency Network, Bulgaria http://www.munee.org/files/MEEIS.pdf Thirty-Five Bulgarian cities have established the Municipal Energy Efficiency Network (MEEN). EnEffect is the Secretariat of the Network. Since April 2001, MEEN has admitted four municipal associations as collective members. In order to create a successful municipal energy plan, MEEN promotes the development of two key elements: an energy database and a training program for municipal officials. General information is collected into municipal "Passports". This information is gathered through surveys of various organizations and entered into a database, or energy efficiency information system (EEIS). The EEIS has two layers: database and analysis. The database, a Microsoft Access application, contains objective, technical information, and the analysis contains non-technical information, such as financial, institutional and regulatory documents generated at the national level. This information is organized into three categories: municipality-wide consumption, site-specific consumption, and municipality-wide production. Energy Management Systems in Public Building, Lviv, Ukraine Source: ESMAP (2011). "Good Practices in City Energy Efficiency: Lviv, Ukraine - Energy Management Systems in Public Buildings", available online from http://www.esmap.org/esmap/sites/esmap.org/files/Lviv%20Buildings%20Case%20final%20edited%20042611_0.pdf The Ukrainian city of Lviv was able to reduce annual energy consumption in its public buildings by about 10 percent and tap water consumption by about 12 percent through a Monitoring and Targeting (M&T) program to control energy and water consumption. This generated an estimated net savings of 9.5 million UAH (US$1.2 million) as of 2010. The M&T program was launched in December 2006 and became fully operational by May 2007. It provided the city management with monthly consumption data for district heating, natural gas, 88 electricity and water in all of the city’s 530 public buildings. Under the program, utility use is reported and analyzed mont hly; targets for monthly utility consumption are determined annually based on historical consumption and negotiations on an adjustment (in cases of foreseeable changes in consumption patterns). Actual consumption is reviewed monthly against the target, with deviations spotted and acted upon immediately and the performance of buildings is communicated to the public through a display campaign. The M&T program achieved significant savings with minimal investment and recurring program costs. These utility bill reductions have been valuable in light of fiscal constraints and increasing energy prices. The program benefited from a crucial initial condition where most of the city’s public buildings were already metered for energy and water consumption and that the city had been collaborating with international aid programs in municipal energy since the late 1990s. Strong city government leadership and commitment were key success factors of Lviv’s public buildings energy and water M&T program. A new Energy Management Unit (EMU) was established within the city administration and resources were mobilized to train all personnel with line responsibility on building utility use in an administrative division, unit, or building. The M&T system established responsibility, created transparency, and enabled informed control of energy and water use in public buildings, laying a solid foundation for sustained improvements in energy and water efficiency. Public Building Energy Management Program, Lviv, Ukraine http://www.ecobuild-project.org/docs/ws2-kopets.pdf As part of the Energy Efficiency Cities of Ukraine initiative, launched in 2007 as initiative of 4 cities, supported by MHME, NAER and European Association of local authorities "Energie-Cites", Lviv has promoted sustainable energy policy and action plans at a local level. The city has developed a Public Building Energy Management Program through the Energy Efficiency Cities of Ukraine initiative. These involve regular data gathering through various agencies and a subsequent monitoring and analysis of building energy consumption in order to identify easily achievable improvement opportunities. SMEU Software, Romania http://www.munee.org/files/SMEU-romania.pdf The SMEU software was created to set priorities for municipal energy action plans and to assess global energy costs and consumption. The goal of this software is to gather, organize and use energy data so that decision-makers could analyze trends in energy use by consumers and by resources and accurately predict the energy budget for the following period. The SMEU software divides data into individual and interacting modules to collect data on various aspects of the energy cycle. The Locality Module collects information on an annual basis, including area, population, and average temperature, as well as general information on the municipality such as number of buildings and number of dwellings per building. 89 NYC Greener Buildings, USA http://council.nyc.gov/html/releases/prestated_4_22_09.shtml New York City Municipal Buildings were benchmarked for Energy Efficiency. The project, initiated on December 9, 2009 with the passage of the "Greener, Greater Buildings Plan" (formally known as Intro. No. 476-A, Benchmarking Energy and Water Use), puts the city at the head of a national effort to improve building energy efficiency aimed at reducing America's carbon footprint and its use of highly polluting fossil fuels to generate electricity. The project used the U.S. Environmental Agency's (EPA's) Energy Star Portfolio Manager energy management tool, which is integral to the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification process, as established and managed by the U.S. Green Building Council, or USGBC. The Plan aims to reduce the city's total carbon footprint by 30 percent by 2030 (originally 2017), with five percent of that reduction coming from government, commercial and residential building. After the initial phase is completed, building owners will be required to benchmark yearly. TOOLS & GUIDANCE Tools & Guidance Target Finder helps users establish an energy performance target for design projects and major building renovations. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_bldg_design.bus_target_finder Portfolio Manager is an interactive energy management tool to track and assess energy and water consumption across the entire portfolio of buildings. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=evaluate_performance.bus_portfoliomanager A presentation by Berlin Energy Agency on Berlin's Energy Saving Partnership - "a Model of Success" , June 29th, 2010. http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTRUSSIANFEDERATION/Resources/305499-1280310219472/CArce_BEA_ENG.pdf Energy Efficient City in Russia: Workshop Proceedings, June 2010. A guidance document for Preparing, Financing and Implementing Municipal Energy Efficiency Programs. http://www.esmap.org/esmap/sites/esmap.org/files/Russia%20EE%20Cities%20Proceedings%20ENG%20080210.pdf 90 ANNEX 6: Municipal Buildings Audit and Retrofit DESCRIPTION ATTRIBUTES Develop an audit and retrofit program focused on all Offices to survey and implement Energy Savings Potential opportunities for energy efficiency retrofits and upgrades. The benefits of the program will be > 200,000 kWh/annum cost savings for municipal government offices and reduction in carbon footprint of the CA. The First Cost program will identify immediate savings opportunities, and implement rapid payback items to > US$1,000,000 yield cost savings that can go to other municipal services. Speed of Implementation 1-2 years IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS Co-Benefits Implementation Reduced carbon emissions Methodology Improved air quality Activity Enhanced public health & safety Identify a CA staff position or hire a new position to be responsible for Increased employment opportunities Identify Offices execution and delivery of energy efficiency projects in municipal office Financial savings Program Leader buildings. This individual must be able to work across agencies, understand building systems and manage subcontractors. Using results from the Benchmarking Program or data collected on office buildings by Office Program staff, identify preliminary opportunities for energy efficiency such as: new lighting systems, new air conditioning systems, new heating systems, new computers, server cooling Identify Preliminary opportunities, etc. Opportunities Offices buildings can be more complex buildings and can have a high variety of system types, for example some may have simple window A/C (or no A/C) and others may have larger central A/C systems with chillers, cooling towers, air handlers and ductwork. Walk through a variety of office buildings to identify specific energy efficiency opportunities across the following end-uses and activities: Perform Detailed  lighting systems Energy Audits  air conditioning systems  heating systems  computers 91  server rooms and cooling of servers  appliances (water cooler, fridge, vending machines) The Municipal Offices EE Spreadsheet includes estimation methods for energy efficiency potential for offices which includes equipment retrofits, behavioral changes (turning lights off, heating set points, time of operation, etc.) and procurement guidelines. Allocate budgets for energy efficiency upgrades in municipal office buildings. Combining upgrades with natural building renovations tends to be the best use of limited financing. For example if a new roof is required due to leaks, this is a good time to add insulation and white roof; or if Set Budget and new windows are being installed they could be upgraded to highly Requirements insulated windows using Office Building Energy Efficiency Program funds. Alternatively contracts may be set up with Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) who will pay for the first cost of the upgrades and will share in the savings from the retrofits. Considering the benchmarking data, detailed energy audits and Design Retrofits / budgetary constraints, design retrofits, equipment replacement and Upgrades renovation upgrades specifically for each building. Prepare an RFP for mechanical or electrical contractors to bid on the retrofit projects. Combining a large number of similar retrofits across Hire Contractor to dozens of office buildings will allow the CA to obtain economies of scale Implement and quality assurance with lower overheads. Alternatively prepare a RFP Retrofits and award an energy service contract to a private company (ESCO) who will guarantee energy savings, put forward the initial investment, and share future savings with the CA. Walk through and verify each construction project has been performed Verify Retrofit and per the specifications in the energy efficiency retrofit RFP. Continue to Performance collect electricity and heating bills for each building with improved systems and compare to historical data. 92 MONITORING Monitoring the progression and effectiveness of recommendations, once implemented, is fundamental to an accurate understanding of their value over the longer term. Where the CA implements a recommendation a target (or set of targets) should be defined that indicates the level of expected progress over a given timescale. At the same time a monitoring plan should be designed. The monitoring plan does not need to be complicated or time consuming but should, as a minimum, cover the following aspects: identification of information sources, identification of performance indicators, a means of measurement and validating measuring equipment or processes, record keeping protocols, a schedule for measurement activity (daily, weekly, monthly etc.), assignment of responsibilities for each aspect of the process, a means of auditing and reviewing performance and finally, establishment of reporting and review cycles. Some suggested measures that relate specifically to this recommendation are as follows:  $/m2 - Benchmark annual energy cost on a per-square-meter basis for all municipal office buildings;  kWhe/m2 - Benchmark annual electrical energy consumption on a per-square-meter basis for all municipal office buildings;  kWht/m2 - Benchmark annual heating energy consumption on a per-square-meter basis for all municipal office buildings;  $/yr saved - aggregate total energy savings generated through the life of the program. CASE STUDIES Model for Improving Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Berlin, Germany http://www.c40cities.org/bestpractices/buildings/berlin_efficiency.jsp The City of Berlin in partnership with Berlin Energy Agency (BEA) has pioneered an excellent model for improving energy efficiency in buildings. They project manage the retrofit of public and private buildings, preparing tenders for work that will guarantee reductions in emissions. CO2 reductions of an average 26% are written into the public retrofit tenders so that winning Energy Systems Companies (ESCOs) must deliver sustainable energy solutions. 1,400 buildings have so far been upgraded, delivering CO2 reductions of more than 60,400 tons per year - these retrofits cost the building owners nothing - and the buildings make immediate savings. Internal Contracting, Stuttgart, Germany http://www.c40cities.org/bestpractices/buildings/stuttgart_efficiency.jsp Stuttgart saves around 7200 tons of CO2 each year through an innovative form of internal contracting, making use of a revolving fund to finance energy and water-saving measures. The city is able to reinvest savings directly into new activities, creating a virtuous circle of environmental improvements and emissions reductions. 93 EU and Display Campaign Case Studies http://www.display-campaign.org/page_162.html The European Display Campaign is a voluntary scheme designed by energy experts from European towns and cities. When started in 2003 it was initially aimed at encouraging local authorities to publicly display the energy and environmental performances of their public buildings using the same energy label that is used for household appliances. Since 2008 private companies are also encouraged to use Display for their corporate social responsibility CSR activities. Energy Management System, Frankfurt, Germany http://www.managenergy.net/download/r164.pdf In 1996 the City of Frankfurt (Building department) entered into a contract with a private company to install and operate an energy-management system (EMS) for the city hall (Romer), Paulskirche and Museum "Schirn". The goal of the project is to reduce the costs for energy- and water as well as the CO2-emissions. Based on the annual costs of 2.6 Million DM in 1992/1993 the potential cost reductions were estimated to be approximately 320,000 DM per year. To reach these cost savings an investment of 1 Million DM for control equipment was necessary. Repayment of the invested capital will be provided from the energy savings (54%) over a period of 8 years. The remaining 46% will reduce the operating costs for the buildings. Energy Efficient Office of the Future (EoF), Garston, UK http://projects.bre.co.uk/envbuild/index.html The new Environmental Building at Garston was built as a demonstration building for the Energy Efficient Office of the Future (EoF) performance specifications, drawn up by a number of companies representing the manufacturers, designers and installers of building components and the fuel utilities, as part of the EoF project run by BRECSU. A key part of this specification is the need to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 30% from current best practice. Air conditioning is not used in the new building - the major energy consumer in many existing office buildings. Other savings will be made by making better use of daylighting and by using the building's 'thermal mass' to moderate temperatures. TOOLS & GUIDANCE Tools & Guidance EU LOCAL ENERGY ACTION Good practices 2005 - Brochure of good practice examples from energy agencies across Europe. http://www.managenergy.net/download/gp2005.pdf ESMAP Public Procurement of Energy Efficiency Services - Guide of good procurement practice from around the world. http://www.esmap.org/Public_Procurement_of_Energy_Efficiency_Services.pdf Energy Conservation Buildings Code provides minimum requirements for the energy efficient design and construction of buildings and their systems. http://www.emt-india.net/ECBC/ECBC-UserGuide/ECBC-UserGuide.pdf 94 ANNEX 7: Street Lighting Timing DESCRIPTION ATTRIBUTES Public lighting usually only has two states of operation, i.e. 'on' and 'off', and only switches Energy Savings Potential between these states in the early evening and early morning. The demand for lighting varies > 200,000 kWh/annum significantly throughout the day, however, with periods of very little use of public space during First Cost the middle of the night. A program with strategic timing and/or dimming tailored to the specific < US$100,000 needs for lighting in specific areas can significantly reduce energy consumption whilst still Speed of Implementation delivering appropriate levels of lighting for e.g. providing safety and sense of security in public < 1 year areas. An intelligent monitoring system can be used to adapt the levels of lighting according to Co-Benefits varying weather and activity levels. The aim of this recommendation is to identify public space Reduced carbon emissions usage patterns and adjust the lighting system levels accordingly. Often lighting timing programs Enhanced public health & safety are integral to a full audit and retrofit program, but for cities that already have energy efficient Increased employment opportunities public lighting systems, a lighting timing program may still be a small and effective program. Financial savings Lighting timing programs can reduce energy consumption, and subsequent carbon emissions as well as operational costs. Such programs often also increase the design life of light bulbs, reducing maintenance requirements and associated costs. The use of intelligent monitoring systems also enables quick detection of faults, allowing for quick replacement, enhancing the quality of the public lighting service. IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS Implementation Methodology Activity Prepare a study to estimate the types of streets and luminaires that Study illumination have the opportunity to have reduced timing and dimming during late timing alternatives night hours. Allocate funding to implement upgrades and retrofits for dimming Install timers and and timing opportunities. Roll out upgrades over the course of dimmers on existing multiple years to achieve 100% coverage of all city public lighting and street lights street lighting installations. See Kirklees and Oslo case studies for further details. 95 Set up timing and dimming standards for new installations of public Standards for new illumination and street lighting that confirm to global best practice for lighting energy efficiency and IESNA illumination guidelines. Measure on an annual basis the energy savings achieved by this Monitor and publish program and encourage private sector owners to follow the model of energy savings the CA. MONITORING Monitoring the progression and effectiveness of recommendations, once implemented, is fundamental to an accurate understanding of their value over the longer term. Where the CA implements a recommendation a target (or set of targets) should be defined that indicates the level of expected progress over a given timescale. At the same time a monitoring plan should be designed. The monitoring plan does not need to be complicated or time consuming but should, as a minimum, cover the following aspects: identification of information sources, identification of performance indicators, a means of measurement and validating measuring equipment or processes, record keeping protocols, a schedule for measurement activity (daily, weekly, monthly etc.), assignment of responsibilities for each aspect of the process, a means of auditing and reviewing performance and finally, establishment of reporting and review cycles. Some suggested measures that relate specifically to this recommendation are as follows:  Hours per year street lights are illuminated at maximum output;  Hours per year street lights are illuminated at less than 50% of maximum output. CASE STUDIES Control system for public lighting, Kirklees, UK http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/community/environment/green/greencouncil/LightingStoryboard.pdf Instead of switching off street lights at certain times of the day, as has been done by other CAs, the Kirklees CA decided instead to dim lights to varying levels throughout the day. This was done partly because not switching public lighting off completely during times of low activity would provide increased safety in the community by preventing crime. Retrofit systems were installed on each existing lighting pole which used wireless technology to monitor and dim the street lights. The retrofitting of these systems simply required the addition of a small antenna to the lamp heads, which plugged into the electronic ballast with no need for additional wiring. Generally the lights are switched on 100% at 7pm, thereafter dimmed to 75% at 10pm, and then to 50% at midnight. If the lights are still on at 5am, they are increased again to 100% lighting. By dimming the lights gradually, eyes are able to adjust to lower lighting levels, and the dimming is barely noticeable. The remote monitoring system also provides accurate inventory information and enables street lighting engineers to identify failed lamps quickly and easily. This reduces the need 96 for lighting engineers to carry out night scouting and has also reduced other on-site maintenance costs. A dimming of lights as implemented in Kirklee can save up to 30% of the electricity used annually. By replacing 1,200 lights, Kirklee CA estimates savings of approx USD 3 million in energy costs per year. Intelligent outdoor city lighting system, Oslo, Norway http://www.echelon.com/solutions/unique/appstories/oslo.pdf An intelligent outdoor lighting system has replaced PCB and mercury containing fixtures with high-performance high-pressure sodium lights. These are monitored and controlled via an advanced data communication system which operates over the existing 230V power lines using specialist power line technology. An operations centre remotely monitors and logs the energy use of streetlights and their running time. It collects information from traffic and weather sensors, and uses an internal astronomical clock to calculate the availability of natural light from the sun and moon. This data is then used to automatically dim some or all of the streetlights. Controlling light levels in this way has not only saved significant amount of energy (estimated at 62%), but has also extended lamp life, thereby reducing replacement costs. The CA has been able to use the monitoring system to identify lamp failures, often fixing them before being notified by residents. By being able to provide predictive failure analyses based on a comparison of actual running hours versus expected lamp life, the efficiency of repair crews has been increased. 10,000 replacements have cost the CA approx. USD 12 million. Currently the program saves approx USD 450,000 in running costs per year. However, it is estimated that if the program is rolled out to the entire city, the increased economies of scale will yield a payback period of less than five years. Motorway intelligent lights retrofit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia http://www.lighting.philips.com.my/v2/knowledge/case_studies-detail.jsp?id=159544 The project implemented a lighting solution for highways leading to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The total length of the dual carriage highway covers 66 km. The main requirement for the project was that each individual lamp along the entire 66 km stretch of highway should be independently dimmable. This called for a network linking all 3,300 positions to a central control facility. There was also a need for greater maintenance efficiency while ensuring optimal visibility without compromising on visual comfort on the road. An intelligent lighting system that uses telemanagement control was employed. Telemanagement makes it possible to switch or control every individual light point in the system from a central PC. It also enables specific dimming profiles adjusted to suit conditions on the road for different lamps, instant reception of failure messages, and the creation of a database where all system data is stored. It allows a significant reduction in energy consumption in addition to the 45% savings as a result of the use of dimming circuits. TOOLS & GUIDANCE Tools & Guidance N/A 97 ANNEX 8: Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan ATTRIBUTES Energy Savings Potential DESCRIPTION 100,000-200,000 kWh/annum Develop a comprehensive energy efficiency strategy and action plan for the municipality. The First Cost strategy should have measurable and realistic targets, set out timeframes and assign US$100,000-1,000,000 responsibilities. It should be developed collaboratively by representatives from across the Speed of Implementation municipality and other groups who will be affected by the strategy. < 1 year Co-Benefits A municipal energy efficiency strategy will help bring together a diverse range of initiatives into a Reduced carbon emissions coherent plan for city-wide energy efficiency. By presenting a single action plan, the strategy will Improved air quality also make it easier to monitor progress. Enhanced public health & safety Increased employment opportunities The strategy can also be used as an internal and external publicity tool for the municipality to Financial savings promote and build support for their work on energy efficiency. Security of supply IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS Implementation Methodology Activity The mayor issues a mayoral decree for an interdepartmental energy Mayoral decree efficiency review and strategy. The city authority introduces regulations requiring that the public Regulation (Annual organizations report on total energy usage, measures taken to improve EE Reports) energy efficiency and the impact of efficiency measures on an annual basis. The city authority appoints a senior officer to monitor energy usage to and efficiency to within city authority departments and public organizations. Appoint EE officer Incorporate the collection and management of data into the job descriptions of those municipal employees with responsibility for energy efficiency initiatives. 98 MONITORING Monitoring the progression and effectiveness of recommendations, once implemented, is fundamental to an accurate understanding of their value over the longer term. Where the CA implements a recommendation a target (or set of targets) should be defined that indicates the level of expected progress over a given timescale. At the same time a monitoring plan should be designed. The monitoring plan does not need to be complicated or time consuming but should, as a minimum, cover the following aspects: identification of information sources, identification of performance indicators, a means of measurement and validating measuring equipment or processes, record keeping protocols, a schedule for measurement activity (daily, weekly, monthly etc.), assignment of responsibilities for each aspect of the process, a means of auditing and reviewing performance and finally, establishment of reporting and review cycles. Some suggested measures that relate specifically to this recommendation are as follows:  Total city authority energy use, total efficiency savings achieved from energy efficiency initiatives, percentage of energy efficiency initiatives for which data is collected every year;  Total city authority energy use;  Total efficiency savings achieved from energy efficiency initiatives;  Percentage of energy efficiency initiatives for which data is collected every year.  Set targets for the city authority for each KPI, for example, improve KPI performance by 20% in 5 years. Produce annual reports on progress towards set targets. Monitor and update the action plan on a regular basis. CASE STUDIES Municipal Initiatives to address Climate Change, Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA Connecticut General Assembly "Municipal Initiatives to address Climate Change" http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/rpt/2010-R-0300.htm Regional Plan Association, Copy of Mayor's Executive Order http://www.rpa.org/bgreen/BGreen_2020_Executive_Order.pdf Regional Plan Association "BGreen 2020: A Sustainability Plan for Bridgeport, Connecticut" http://www.rpa.org/bgreen/BGreen-2020.pdf In 2008, the mayor issued an executive order that established a goal for the city government to reduce its annual GHG emissions from a 1990 baseline by 7% by 2012 and 20% by 2020, in accordance with the city's Plan of Conservation and Development. In order to meet this goal, the executive order required the city to obtain at least 25% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2012 and for all new major city construction and major renovation projects to earn at least a silver rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, or its equivalent under similar rating systems. The order established a Sustainability Community Advisory Committee, which is charged with:  overseeing the completion of a city-wide and municipal government GHG inventory,  making recommendations to the mayor and the city on how to meet the city's sustainability goals,  preparing educational materials for households and businesses describing climate change and actions they can take to promote 99 sustainability, and  identifying economic and workforce development opportunities associated with green jobs. The city, in collaboration with the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, has developed a program to promote sustainability. The program includes specific measures around auditing energy use, reducing total building footprint within the city, using advanced waste treatment techniques, and analyzing the feasibility of installing renewable energy systems on public and private buildings. Since the order was issued, the city and the Regional Business Council have also developed a comprehensive sustainability plan, BGreen2020. The plan was developed following an 18-month planning process with a Community Advisory Committee and five technical subcommittees. The process involved over 200 participants from city, state, and federal governments, businesses, and civic and neighborhood groups. The plan is a comprehensive strategy to improve the quality of life, social equity, and economic competitiveness while reducing GHG emissions and increasing the community's resilience to the impacts of climate change. Energy Efficiency Strategy, Spain European Commission - Saving & Energy Efficiency Strategy in Spain http://ec.europa.eu/energy/demand/legislation/doc/neeap/es_neeap_en.pdf Evaluate Energy Savings http://www.evaluate-energy-savings.eu/emeees/en/countries/Spain/index.php Spain's Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency Strategy 2008-2012 (E4), which constitutes its National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP), aims to achieve security of supply in terms of quantity and price with some basic levels of self-sufficiency, taking into consideration the environmental impact and economic competitiveness. The plan identifies 7 sectors including: agriculture, buildings, domestic and office equipment, industry, public services, transport, and energy transformation. Within each of these sectors, it sets out sets out strategic objectives as well as the route that energy policy should take to achieve these objectives. The Plan establishes a primary energy saving of 24,776 ktoe in 2012 as quantified energy objective in opposition to the scenario which was used as the base for the initial Plan 2004-2012, involving 13.7%. The plan also monitors progress against previous action plans, identifies investment and the potential for improvement in each sector, and sets targets for the immediate future. The financing of the Plan is via investments in the private sector and in public services, and are therefore passed on to the end-users (consumers) and employers, who make investments which improve the processes or equipment that they bring to the market, so the services that they provide are carried out with less consumption of energy. Energy and resource saving program, Brisbane, Australia Good Practices in City Energy Efficiency: Eco2 Cities: Energy and Resource Saving Program in Brisbane, available onlinehttp://www.esmap.org/esmap/node/1225 Brisbane’s population is expected to continue to grow over the next two decades. In 2007, the Brisbane City Council issued Brisbane’s Plan for Action on Climate Change and Energy, which delineates the selected actions to be achieved in the short term (about 18 months) and 100 the long term (more than five years). Brisbane has three major challenges: climate change, high peak oil demand, and greenhouse gas emissions. Analyses suggest that, if Brisbane responds intelligently to these challenges, the city may generate significant economic benefits by developing sustainable industries, while saving resources. Brisbane is actively introducing various approaches to sustainable development. In addition, in the city’s “Our Shared Vision: Living in Brisbane 2026” policy document, authorities have committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half, reusing all wastewater, and restoring 40 percent of the natural habitat by 2026. Integrated resource planning and management, Stockholm, Sweden Good Practices in City Energy Efficiency: Eco2 Cities - Integrated Resource Management in Stockholm, available online http://www.esmap.org/esmap/node/1228 The City of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, has pursued integrated city planning and management to become a sustainable city. The city has a comprehensive urban vision, environmental programs, and concrete action plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change. It implements integrated urban planning approaches that consider ecological benefits and efficient resource use. The ongoing redevelopment in the city’s southern district, Hammarby Sjöstad, is a good model for understanding integrated app roaches to sustainable urban planning and redevelopment. The area aims to be twice as sustainable as Swedish best practice in 1995. The area implements integrated resource management (waste, energy, water, and sewage) through systematic stakeholder collaboration and has transformed the linear urban metabolism into a cyclical one known as the Hammarby Model. According to Grontmij AB, a private consultancy firm in Stockholm, primary assessments of the initially developed districts of Hammarby Sjöstad show that the area has achieved, for example, 28 to 42 percent reductions in nonrenewable energy use and 29 to 37 percent reductions in global warming potential. TOOLS & GUIDANCE Tools & Guidance N/A 101 ANNEX 9: Awareness Raising Campaign DESCRIPTION ATTRIBUTES Public education and training campaigns will increase the public's awareness and understanding Energy Savings Potential of the benefits of energy efficiency and can help change attitudes towards energy efficiency. 100,000-200,000 kWh/annum Providing information on easy ways to be more energy efficient can help modify citizen behavior First Cost and contribute to overall energy-savings. This can be achieved through: US$100,000-1,000,000  Advertising campaigns; Speed of Implementation  Public events; < 1 year  Articles in the local press; Co-Benefits  User-friendly website providing information about energy efficiency; Reduced carbon emissions  Training programs in schools, community centers and businesses; Improved air quality  An 'energy efficiency champion' program. Enhanced public health & safety Financial savings Key benefits are more efficient energy behaviors by residents leading to reduced energy Security of supply consumption within the city. Indirect benefits include reduced pressure on energy infrastructure, reduced carbon emissions and better air quality. IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS Implementation Methodology Activity Working with an experienced education/training provider, the city authority develops training programs which can be rolled out in schools Targeted training and offices. These programs should target big energy users, for example, programs offices. These programs can also be implemented through a partnership with other organizations, such as utility companies, businesses and NGOs. Working with an advertising and marketing company experienced in public education campaigns, the city authority develops a strategy for providing Public education information on energy efficiency to all residents. This can include posters, campaigns billboards and leaflets, as well as public media announcements and advertisements. A partnership can be created with a business or utility company to help finance this. 102 The city authority recruits local energy efficiency champions and trains them to teach people about the importance and benefits of energy efficiency. Champions can be anyone interested in spreading the message about energy efficiency, for example, local authorities, businesses, local community groups, NGOs, health trusts, school children and other individuals. This implementation activity can be carried out in a number of ways:  Ask champions to come to a 'train the trainer' course and provide Energy efficiency them with support to run sessions within their own community. champions  Teach champions about simple ways to save energy, and then give them leaflets to distribute in their community. Ensure that champions inform people that they are the local contact for any energy efficiency questions. Since energy efficiency champions are often volunteers, an officer should be appointed to provide support and encouragement, conduct regular follow ups and monitor progress of each energy efficiency champion program. MONITORING Monitoring the progression and effectiveness of recommendations, once implemented, is fundamental to an accurate understanding of their value over the longer term. Where the CA implements a recommendation a target (or set of targets) should be defined that indicates the level of expected progress over a given timescale. At the same time a monitoring plan should be designed. The monitoring plan does not need to be complicated or time consuming but should, as a minimum, cover the following aspects: identification of information sources, identification of performance indicators, a means of measurement and validating measuring equipment or processes, record keeping protocols, a schedule for measurement activity (daily, weekly, monthly etc.), assignment of responsibilities for each aspect of the process, a means of auditing and reviewing performance and finally, establishment of reporting and review cycles. 103 Some suggested measures that relate specifically to this recommendation are as follows:  Number of people participating in training programs annually;  Number of hits to city energy efficiency website monthly (if developed) or number of requests for energy efficiency measures;  Number of articles in the press about energy efficiency in the city;  Number of energy efficiency champions trained (if this option is chosen). CASE STUDIES PlaNYC, New York PlaNYC http://www.nyc.gov/html/planyc2030/html/plan/energy.shtml ; http://www.nyc.gov/html/planyc2030/downloads/pdf/planyc_energy_progress_2010.pdf PlaNYC is a comprehensive sustainability plan for the city's future. The plan puts forth a strategy to reduce the city's greenhouse gas footprint, while also accommodating a population growth of nearly one million, and improving our infrastructure and environment. Recognizing the importance to reduce global carbon emissions, and the value of leading by example, New York has set the goal of reducing its citywide carbon emissions by 30% below 2005 levels. Within the Energy sector of the plan, the city has an initiative to undertake extensive education, training, and quality control programs to promote energy efficiency. By 2010, the city launched an energy awareness campaign, and set up training, certification, and monitoring programs. The plan proposes that these measures will be delivered through a series of partnerships until an Energy Efficiency Authority is established. Energy Efficiency Office, Toronto, Canada City of Toronto http://www.toronto.ca/energy/saving_tips.htm The Energy Efficiency Office in Toronto provides energy saving tips for households, businesses and developers on the city's website. As an example, the Energy Efficiency Office conducts the Employee Energy Efficiency at Work (E3@Work), an awareness program designed to save money and promote energy efficiency practices by managing office equipment power loads. Developed and implemented by the City of Toronto in 2002, the program is being promoted to business establishments and offices across the city. The goal is to reduce energy consumption and building operating costs, improve energy security and reliability and help preserve the environment. Low Carbon Singapore, Singapore Low Carbon Singapore http://www.lowcarbonsg.com "Low Carbon Singapore" is an online community dedicated to help Singapore reduce its carbon emissions and move towards the goal of a low carbon economy. The project aims to educate individuals, communities, businesses and organizations on issues relating to climate change, global warming and clean energy, providing information, news, tips and resources on various ways to reduce carbon, including 104 adoption of clean energy and energy efficient behaviors and technologies. Low Carbon Singapore is published by Green Future Solutions, a Singapore-based business that promotes environmental awareness and action for a green future through a network of green websites, events, presentations, publications and consultancy. Carbon Management Energy Efficiency (CMEE) Programme, Walsall Council, UK Walsall Council http://www.walsall.gov.uk/index/energy_awareness_staff_presentations.htm Walsall Council has been rolling out energy awareness training by with the Carbon Trust under their funded Carbon Management Energy Efficiency (CMEE) programme, including:  Energy surveys of the council's least energy efficient buildings  Evaluating feasibility of combined heat and power (CHP) generation at the council's leisure centers  Raising staff awareness through a number of energy presentations to senior managers, building managers, school caretakers and a number of the council's general staff. A total of 226 staff were trained in this round using presentations developed by the Carbon Trust and adapted, with the help of some of the environmental champions, to reflect Walsall Council's needs. The aim of the CMEE programme is to identify and achieve significant carbon savings throughout the council and as a consequence financial savings too. By reducing their energy spend, the council will also reduce the number of carbon credits it has to buy under the Carbon Reduction Commitment, which comes into force in 2010. Siemens Energy Efficiency Academy, Brisbane, Australia Siemens http://aunz.siemens.com/EVENTS/ENERGYEACADEMY/Pages/IN_EnergyEfficiencyAcademy.aspx ; http://www.siemens.com/sustainability/report/09/pool/pdf/siemens_sr_2009.pdf The Siemens Energy Efficiency Academy brings together some of the leading international and local experts to share their insights on government policy, emerging technologies, market drivers and best practice implementation. Apart from adopting and showcasing its own energy efficient practices, it runs regular training programs for businesses across topics such as:  Incentive schemes: Market mechanisms, grants and funding explained  Building winning business cases for energy efficiency  Energy Efficiency Policy in Australian Governments  Next generation technology - What's next?  Best practice implementation for variable speed drives and power quality  Energy monitoring in Industrial and Commercial facilities Energy Awareness Week, Meath, Ireland ManagEnergy "EU LOCAL ENERGY ACTION: Good practices 2005" http://www.managenergy.net/download/gp2005.pdf In 2004, the Meath Energy Management Agency's (MEMA) extended its Energy Awareness Week to everyone who lived or worked in the 105 County of Meath, Ireland, using a concentrated burst of media campaigning to raise energy awareness among consumers. Visits to schools, information displays, widespread media coverage, competitions, a 'Car Free Day' and an offer of free CFL light bulbs encouraged participation at all levels. The campaign dramatically increased requests for information from the energy agency. The competitions and promotions also improved local knowledge of energy efficiency, and encouraged people to choose sustainable energy and transport options in the future. Energy Awareness Week activities were coordinated and carried out by MEMA with the support of the Environment Department of Meath County Council. The direct costs for the campaign were US $ 4,470. This covered printing and copying of promotional materials, prizes, and provision of reflective jackets for walking bus participants. Additional prizes and sponsorship were provided by local companies and by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). TOOLS & GUIDANCE Tools & Guidance "EU LOCAL ENERGY ACTION: Good practices 2005" http://www.managenergy.net/download/gp2005.pdf 106 ANNEX 10: List of abbreviations for cities in the TRACE database City Country City Abbreviation City Country City Abbreviation 1 Addis Ababa Ethiopia ADD 38 Karachi Pakistan KAR 2 Amman Jordan AMM 39 Kathmandu Nepal KAT 3 Baku Azerbaijan BAK 40 Kiev Ukraine KIE 4 Bangkok Thailand BAN 41 Kuala Malaysia KUA Lumpur 5 Belgrade Serbia BE1 42 Lima Peru LIM 6 Belo Brazil BEL 43 Ljubljana Slovenia LJU Horizonte 7 Bengaluru India BEN 44 Mexico Mexico MEX City 8 Bhopal India BHO 45 Mumbai India MUM 9 Bratislava Slovakia BRA 46 Mysore India MYS 10 Brasov Romania BR1/BRA 47 New York USA NEW 11 Bucharest Romania BUC 48 Odessa Ukraine ODE 12 Budapest Hungary BUD 49 Paris France PAR 13 Cairo Egypt CAI 50 Patna India PAT 14 Cape Town South CAP 51 Phnom Cambodia PHN Africa Penh 15 Casablanca Morocco CAS 52 Ploiesti Romania PLO 16 Cebu Philippines CEB 53 Pokhara Nepal POK 17 Cluj-Napoca Romania CLU 54 Porto Portugal POR 18 Colombo Sri Lanka COL 55 Pune India PUN 19 Constanta Romania CON 56 Quezon Philippines QUE City 20 Craiova Romania CRA 57 Rio de Brazil RIO Janeiro 21 Dakar Senegal DAK 58 Sangli India SAN 22 Danang Vietnam DAN 59 Sarajevo Bosnia and SAR Herzegovina 23 Dhaka Bangladesh DHA 60 Seoul South Korea SEO 24 Gaziantep Turkey GAZ 61 Shanghai China SHA 25 Guangzhou China GUA 62 Singapore Singapore SIN 107 26 Guntur India GUN 63 Sofia Bulgaria SOF 27 Hanoi Vietnam HAN 64 Surabaya Indonesia SUR 28 Helsinki Finland HEL 65 Sydney Australia SYD 29 Ho Chi Minh Vietnam HO 66 Tallinn Estonia TAL 30 Hong Kong China HON 67 Tbilisi Georgia TBI 31 Iasi Romania IAS 68 Tehran Iran TEH 32 Indore India IND 69 Timisoara Romania TIM 33 Jabalpur India JAB 70 Tokyo Japan TOK 34 Jakarta Indonesia JAK 71 Toronto Canada TOR 35 Jeddah Saudi JED 72 Urumqi China URU Arabia 36 Johannesburg South JOH 73 Vijaywada India VIJ Africa 37 Kanpur India KAN 74 Yerevan Armenia YER 108