Case Study (118 KB PDF)

Presented at: European Conference on Local Energy Action: Optimising local action to drive sustainable energy and transport in the Europe of Twenty-Five
20-21 October 2004, Brussels, Belgium

Claudio Rochas, Project Manager, Ekodoma, Latvia

Slides (323 KB PDF) | Proceedings and Recordings

Summary

The project has been implemented in Latvia, in Tukums municipality. The project was started in December 2001 and will last to 2012. The project concerns the renovation of streetlighting system using efficient lighting technology. The main aspect is the use, for the first time in Latvia, of ESCO - Energy Service Company. The project has achieved energy savings for 630 000 kWh/year and CO₂ emission reduction of 365 t/year. Important result has been as well as the change in behaviour of Latvian municipalities towards energy efficiency projects and the increase of awareness for third party financing projects. The main sources of funding have been NIB - the Nordic Investment Fund - and LEIF - Latvian Environmental Investment Fund.

Results

The first objective has been achieved improving the streetlighting system in Tukums municipality. The project has reduced energy consumption and physical degradation of the streetlighting system, particularly changing old luminaries and bulbs with efficient lighting technology and correct lighting design. The bulbs now have energy consumption between 70-100W and the lighting level has improved due to the better optic of the new luminaries.

The second objective has been achieved; Energy Service Company has implemented the project providing third party financing.

Finally, the third objective has been achieved, indeed the project has brought:

• Safety and health of inhabitants by efficient and well-designed streetlighting system.
• Reduction of night crimes and transgression.
• Increasing night activities in Tukums municipality.

The estimated saving of the project are 630 000kWh/year as shown in table 1 below.

Table 1: after and before project implementation - energy savings

	Before	After
Operating time	2800 h/year	2800 h/year
Capacity of streetlighting	320 kW	95 kW
Energy consumption	896 000kWh	266 000kWh
Energy savings	630 000kWh

The great savings achieved have made the project interesting for to be implemented by an ESCO, with estimated savings of 37 000 Euro/year. Important savings are as well as possible on the maintenance of the system. The calculated emission reduction of CO₂ are shown in table 2:

Table 2. Reductions in CO₂ emissions

	Energy consumption, kWh	Tons of CO2
Emissions before project - per year	896 000	520
Emissions after project - per year	266 000	155
Total reduction in emissions - per year		365
Total reduction in emissions - 20 years		7300

[Erupt baseline methodology (CO₂ emission factor for Latvia 582 grCO₂/kWh)]

Another important result of the project is the possible change in behavior for two important actors involved in streetlighting projects:

• Municipalities
• ESCOs

In fact Latvian municipalities are now more conscious of hidden saving behind energy efficiency projects, while potential Latvian ESCOs are more aware about third party financing projects.