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dena’s pilot project „Efficient Schools“
Great savings potential in the refurbishment of public buildings
Energy-efficient refurbishment can lead to significant energy and cost savings for many public buildings. This kind of refurbishment also reduces CO2-emissions,
thus making a valuable contribution to climate protection. Unfortunately, this potential is only taken full advantage of in very rare cases.
That‘s why, in April 2007, the Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena) - the German Energy Agency - began the nationwide pilot project ”Efficient Schools ”, the participants of which are ambitious and forward-thinking owners of public and non-profit buildings.
The goal of the pilot project is to test and establish highly-efficient refurbishment standards and to speed up the market introduction of energy-saving technologies.
The buildings involved in the project are the ‘forerunners’. Comprehensive energy-oriented refurbishment cuts a building’s energy requirement so drasticallythat it ends up significantly lower than that of a new building. This is the case for all kinds of buildings, school types and school authorities: from primary schools, comprehensive schools in listed buildings right through to swimming pools and vocational schools.
Stephan Kohler, Chief Executive of dena:
“Local authorities, churches and non-profit organisations have the chance, not only to help protect the environment, but also to free up many millions of Euros in their annual budgets if they take advantage of the various energy-saving opportunities.”
Our school uses less energy than a new one and is “fit for the future”
High energy efficiency refurbishment can realize enormous energy saving potentials. In order to test and establish standards of refurbishment that are ambitious in terms of energy efficiency, economically-viable in the medium term, and can also be implemented with marketable technology, in April 2007, dena has started the pilot project „Efficient Schools“, initially involving more than 50 projects.
Participating in this project has many advantages: the participants receive attractive funding through particularly long-term and low-interest loans from theFerderal Promotional Bank (KfW Förderbank). The participants are closely accompanied by dena and by expert advisers during the construction phase. All of those concerned—from the planners and the school board to the pupils, parents and teachers—are actively involved in the pilot project. Subsequently, dena will carry out a scientific evaluation of the results.
Goals
Examples of best practice
- set in motion a domino effect by way of transferable, economically viable refurbishment concepts,
- speed up the transfer of expertise
- and support the market introduction of innovative energy-saving technologies
Standards
The funding for the pilot project is based on two energyefficiency standards. The following energy specifications must be adhered to:
„German Energy Savings Ordinance (EnEV) requirements for new buildings:
- minus 20%
- minus 40%
These requirements apply to the ” annual primary energy consumption (QP'') and the quality of the envelope.In each case proof must be supplied that high air quality is ensured.
The pilot project for pupils, teacher and parents
Great importance is given to the participation of pupils, teachers and parents in the refurbishment process, and to supplying background information on the topic
“Energy efficiency in buildings“. The following measures are planned:
- Teaching materials for various age groups
- The „Energy-saving record school forum“, a community site for blogs, photos, comics, etc.
- Organising opportunities to visit the planners, manufacturers, public utility companies, etc.
- Arranging contacts for work experience placements for pupils
The pilot project for local authorities, planners and interested parties
Press and public relations work and the distribution of information are another focus of the model project:
- Expert seminars for the local authorities led by the advisers
- series of events: „dena community dialogue“ on refurbishment, energy management, contracting, energy performance certificate
- Website displaying best practice examples: www.zukunft-haus.info
- Instigating articles and television reports
Partners
The dena pilot project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs (BMVBS), by BASF AG, and by E.ON Ruhrgas AG.
