Municipalities have to lead by example when it comes to energy efficient behaviour, in order to motivate all stakeholders and citizens on its territory to follow suit. If municipalities are committed to reduce their energy consumption and subsequently their climate footprint and demonstrate this effectively to their people, the likelihood increases that they can be mobilized to play their part in driving forward energy efficiency.
Description
In Brasov, the local energy agency ABMEE established between 2005-2014 an innovative instrument that monitors energy and water consumption in 120 municipal buildings. The data was gathered in real-time and provided on a regular basis to local decision-makers. In the same time as the monitoring, also education was undertaken by ABMEE – in cooperation with local academia – to inform municipal buildings’ staff about energy efficient behaviours and how these can be easily implemented in their daily lives.
Main Objectives
- Achieve energy and financial savings
- Make the behaviour of municipal buildings’ staff more energy efficient
- Showcase concrete action from the municipality in energy efficiency by leading by example
- Implement a monitoring system that provides real-time, good quality data
Implementing Structure & Partners – Governance
Local energy agency ABMEE collaborated with Brasov municipality, local academia and municipal building staff in a continuous dialogue through regular meetings and trainings (e.g. workshops, competitions between buildings, etc.). ABMEE implemented this project through Brasov’s municipal funding, within an existing legal framework.
Financing and Costs / Time Frame
EUR 23,5 million were invested between 2005 – 2014 to develop, install and maintain the energy and water monitoring instrument in Brasov’s 120 municipal buildings. Overall, there was a short return on investment with concrete results – e.g. between 2005-2009, 10% energy cost reduction was achieved simply by monitoring energy and water consumption and reviewing contracts’ building use.
In total, between 2005-2014 the energy consumption was decreased by a staggering 45% in Brasov’s 120 municipal buildings thanks to the innovative instrument of ABMEE local energy agency.
