“Renewed” legislative framework on supporting the renewable energy production in Romania
November 29, 2011 at 2:26 am | Posted in Legislative Outreach | Leave a commentTags: green building legislation, green certificates, net metering, renewable energy
What’s in it for the small producers?
After a long consultation period with the European Commission on how to structure and organize the system for supporting the production of electrical energy from renewable sources (RES), we finally have a revised law (OUG 88/2011 – text in RO here) that is supposed to unlock the market in Romania. The support system for RES producers was finally structured as following:
- green certificates allocated to big RES producers per each MW of electricity sold – number of green certificates varies based on type of renewable source used for production
- specific regulated prices for the energy sold by small RES producers (less than 1MW installed)
I won’t go through the changes brought by the OUG 88/2011 for the big producers since I think they were well detailed in this article ( text only in RO).
For the building industry the most interesting part is Article 14, that explains how the system should work for the small producers:
- the renewable energy produced can be sold by the small producers (less than 1 MW installed) to the energy distributors that have licenses in that area, at special regulated energy prices (unique prices per type of technology)
- the energy distributors are obligated to buy the RES energy provided by the small producers (per their request), according to the conditions established by ANRE (National Authority for Energy Regulation)
- the special regulated prices are established by ANRE based on a specific methodology and notified to the European Commission
- the physical persons with production units lower than 50Kw (electricity produced at the building site, mainly for own consumption) and public authorities that own production units (funded partially or totally by Structural Funds) may benefit of special quantification/control service offered by the distributor that allows leveling the differences (financial and quantitative) between energy delivered and consumed (net metering)
- the RES energy produced by small producers will have priority access to the grid
The changes for the small producers (mostly net metering and priority access) sound promising but we still have to wait for the secondary legislation mainly the methodology for establishing the energy price and technical and commercial rules that define the priority access to the grid that should be developed by ANRE.
Hopefully the full development of secondary legislation will take less than 3 years - what we waited for the famous Law 220 to become operational. For an updated list of secondary legislation that was developed so far around Law 220 /2008 modified by OUG 88/2011 please check here (in Ro only).
Anca Bieru
Green energy export
March 9, 2011 at 2:42 pm | Posted in General, Member Projects, News from Members | Leave a commentTags: Initiative, renewable energy, sustainable_development
We would like to introduce a state of the art technology elaborated by one of our members. There is a linkage between the energetic and the construction and building sector, so this might be relevant new information.
SYNERGY Construction established the Georgia branch and started works for the SIEMENS HVDC technology to transmit eco-friendly electric power from Georgia to Turkey, as part of the Black Sea Transmission Network Project – one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Georgia. This project will contribute to the development of the country and will increase its integrity to western countries and market. The goal is to connect the Georgian power supply network with the grid system in Turkey and to transmit controlled electric power generated in various hydropower plants in Georgia to Turkey.
The works have been commissioned on 15.02.2011, as mentioned in the press release from SYNERGY. For more details please click here.
Georgiana B.
News from Cacica. EcoBiblioteca project
October 6, 2010 at 3:11 pm | Posted in Green Building Projects | Leave a commentTags: Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency in Buildings, renewable energy, sustainability, Sustainable Development
27 september was the date when the local companies from Suceava county and not only learned about the EcoBiblioteca project from Cacica. Through the help of the local authorities, RoGBC organized a meeting with the businesses and explained about the purpose and the intention of such a project. Trying to involve as much as possible local companies is a desirable aspect that RoGBC and biblionet wants to achieve through this sustainable renovation.
The presentation went well and we got positive reactions from the crowd.
The second part of the day was a survey made by the architecture company dicositiganas which will be responsible for the design of the project. We are very glad that we have mr Serban Tigans, who was recently appointed president of the Romanian Order of Architects, as architect for EcoBiblioteca.
Things are moving in the right green direction.
RoGBC and biblionet make the next step in EcoBiblioteca project
October 6, 2010 at 2:59 pm | Posted in Green Building Projects | Leave a commentTags: buildings, Energy Efficiency, green buildings, renewable energy, sustainability, Sustainable Development
On 7 september, RoGBC organized at our office an integrated design meeting which gathered all the parties involved in the project: RoGBC, biblionet, Corporate Office Solution, WSP, Dexion, B Lighting, InterfaceFloor, Dicositiganas and local authorities from Cacica. The summary of the project is to renovate the Cacica library in a “green way” by significantly improving the design, energy performance, lighting quality, indoor air quality and comfort of the building. The project will encourage use of the library as a community space increasing visits and participation by the citizenry. The project will build awareness of environmentally responsible and energy efficient building and renovation techniques and stimulate the creation of green jobs both locally and nationally.
The meeting was definitely a success. We split the discussion in 4 main points, and created 4 different tables;
1. Which are the obstacles encountered and how we overcome them?
2. How do we promote the “EcoLibrary” concept nationally?
3. The objectives of the project.
4. New ideas to overcome the “old” library concept.
All participants had the opportunity to rotate around the 4 tables. All parties expressed their opinion regarding each subject so the discussion was complete from all points of view and valuable information was gathered.
The participants were pleased with the way the meeting went.
The integrated design session is an important aspect for green constructions, in our case this sustainable renovation.
We want to thank all the participants and for those who want to join this project the “doors” are open.
Catalin Gauloiu
ProLogis forms Global Renewable Energy Group
September 30, 2009 at 1:40 pm | Posted in News from Members | Leave a commentTags: Energy Efficiency, renewable energy
ProLogis Sant Boi Aerial rendering online
The RoGBC member company ProLogis announced yesterday it has formed a Global Renewable Energy Group to procure new business, manage installations and provide development management services for renewable energy projects globally.
“Even through the challenges of the global recession we are finding more ways to create additional value from existing assets,” said Walt Rakowich, chief executive officer at ProLogis. “We are excited to announce the formation of this group, which will enable us to expand upon the proven success in wind and solar projects we already have demonstrated in five countries across Europe, Asia and North America.”
In addition, ProLogis announced a new, 4.8-megawatt (MW) solar project to be installed on eight of its rooftops at ProLogis Park Sant Boi in Barcelona and ProLogis Park Alcalá in Madrid, Spain. ProLogis completed its first solar installation in France in 2005, and now has solar installations on 20 buildings covering 669,000 square meters of roof space.
“Upon completion of the new project in Spain, we will have more than 11 MW of solar installations on our rooftops, which is enough energy to power more than 1,100 homes per year,” said Jack Rizzo, chief sustainability officer for ProLogis.
ProLogis has signed a lease agreement with Recurrent Energy, a distributed power company and a leading provider of solar energy, for 180,000 square meters of roof space in Spain. Recurrent will use the roof space to host its solar installation, and will sell the energy produced to the local utility company through a feed-in tariff. ProLogis will provide construction management services in addition to receiving roof rental fees. Construction is expected to commence in October 2009.
RoGBC signs position paper “Romania and Climate Change Policies – Economic Stimulus from a Green Economy”
September 19, 2009 at 4:46 pm | Posted in Events, Legislative Outreach | Leave a commentTags: buildings, climate change, conference, Energy Audit, Energy Certification, Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency in Buildings, GBC, Green Building, Green Building Council, green buildings, LEED, Legislation, Legislative Outreach, renewable energy, strategy, sustainability, sustainable architecture, Sustainable Development, WWF
The Romania Green Building Council (RoGBC) along with WWF Danube-Carpathian Romania, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Association of Energy Auditors for Buildings (AAEC) signed a shared position paper, regarding the measures that should be taken in order to encourage energy efficiency. The document, entitled “Romania and Climate Change Policies – Economic Stimulus from a Green Economy”, draws the attention on the economic opportunities associated with the implementation of environment policies, especially in the construction field. Some of the opportunities highlighted are the reducing energy costs, ensuring energy safety, raising comfort and creating new jobs.
In addition, the position paper underlines the necessity of immediate action in order to move towards a greener economy and explains that the practical measures to be applied do not represent budgetary costs, but investments towards a sustainable development. .
The position paper is available for reading here.
Oxford Sustainable Group launches €200 million renewable energy fund
August 25, 2009 at 1:24 pm | Posted in Member Projects, News from Members | Leave a commentTags: funding, Green Building, renewable energy, strategy, Sustainable Development
The RoGBC member Oxford Sustainable Group, the leading renewable/sustainable developer, announced the launch of The Oxford Renewable Energy Fund 9 (OREF 9) , a closed-ended fund to be listed on the Channel Island Stock Exchange (CISX) seeking to raise €200 million. OREF 9 aims to add value, achieve capital growth and spread risk though investment in and development of a range of renewable energy projects primarily in Finland, Romania and Estonia.
The fund has a duration of five years and aims to deliver a low-risk 20% per annum return to investors after all costs and fees (net). The return requires zero bank financing, meaning high returns with low risk in the current financial market turmoil. The final development value of the projects generated could reach €2 billion.
The fund is targeting institutional and high net worth investors. The market in Central and Eastern Europe has performed well in the past compared to Western Europe and is expected to again perform strongly in the medium term. European and Global demand for energy is high and forecast to rapidly increase. Within Europe there is a strong government commitment to fixed targets and high subsidies to generate a minimum percentage of energy using renewable sources – some countries need to double their renewable capacity by 2020.
The Oxford Sustainable Group will select and manage OREF 9 projects through a process of careful and detailed analysis, due diligence and active management; this means that investments are selected based on the considerable value that the Oxford team can be add to them, taking account of project specifics, local area effects, general planning, political possibilities and market situation/trends. This is the same investment philosophy which Oxford’s previous eight investment opportunities have followed. To date, Oxford’s independently audited projects have delivered over 50% per annum on average.
Hadley Barrett, CEO, Oxford Sustainable Group said: “We have an impressive track record and years of experience leading our peers in this area. We are therefore delighted to launch OREF 9. In the current climate, the new fund represents a unique opportunity for sophisticated investors to generate strong returns. Our investment model is focused on adding value and does not count on passive asset appreciation. Added to our sustainable approach, we therefore outperform our peers, while preserving capital, even in a falling market, and creating value for our investors. The demand for renewable energy today vastly outstrips supply and the demand is only going to increase, so we are confident that investors are perfectly positioned to make excellent, risk-adjusted returns while contributing to social and economic future stability. I am sufficiently sure about this fund to kick it off with 20m Euro of my own money.“
The Oxford Sustainable Group goes further than other ethical/SRI methodologies in the market by using a proprietary 360 degree sustainable approach. This sustainable approach takes into consideration the effects of Oxford projects on all stakeholders. Instead of focusing only on an “ethical” formula derived from narrow investment criteria, Oxford is concerned with how a project satisfies the needs of our investors, the environment, society, local residents and the broader economy.
The Oxford Sustainable Group was recently awarded CarbonNeutral status – the only CarbonNeutral renewable energy developer in the CEE region.
Online Training Video: Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
April 10, 2009 at 11:26 am | Posted in Events, Training | 1 CommentTags: Energy Audit, Energy Certification, Energy Efficiency, EPBD, Green Building, Legislation, renewable energy, sustainable_development, Training
We are pleased to announce that videos from our training on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive are now available online. The presentations are in Romanian, with subtitles in English.
“How to get an A rating on the Energy Performance Certificates?” was held in October 2008. It was a training event dedicated to explaining the most important aspects to be considered to score the highest rating on the energy performance certificates in the European Union’s mandatory Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
The presentations covered: definitions and benchmarks in a building energy performance certificate, energy saving measures (insulation, architecture and vicinity passive solutions, traditional and unconventional heating systems, lighting, ventilation and air conditioning, etc), case studies.
To view the presentations, go to www.RoGBC.org, Watch Green Videos section.
a WWF press release on the recent gas crisis…
January 11, 2009 at 11:14 am | Posted in Legislative Outreach | Leave a commentTags: Energy Audit, Energy Efficiency, EPBD, Green Building, renewable energy, WWF
WWF published this recent press release on the gas crisis of the region and the need for a rapid move towards clean energy and energy efficiency. RoGBC will continue to work with WWF Romania to promote creation and implementation of effective energy efficiency in buildings legislation.
- Steve
You can read the press release here.
Green Cafe-Sustainable Architecture: Photos and Impressions
December 15, 2008 at 3:30 pm | Posted in Events | 1 CommentTags: climate change, eco homes, Energy Efficiency, Green Building, green buildings, green cafe, green construction, green design, passive house, renewable energy, sustainable architecture, Sustainable Development, sustainable_development
Last Thursday we hosted the first RoGBC Green Cafe, on the topic of Sustainable Architecture, with all seats filled by enthusiastic professionals exploring ways to change the construction industry towards a greener profile.
As previously announced, the Cafe started with the movie “Last Call for Planet Earth” – which presented interviews with 12 leading architects across the world, who share their vision on architecture that respects nature, give examples of successful green projects, technologies used, challenges and solutions. Afterwards, Florin Dobrescu (Stardome) gave a presentation on sustainable architecture and introduced the concept of passive, modular homes and geodesic domes.
Brandon Weidenfeller (Epstein Architecture & Engineering) moderated the discussions that followed. The attendees expressed their opinion on how to present the concept of green buildings in order to make it more “catchy” to the public. Another discussion point was the challenges the architects face in promoting green buildings/ green building concepts to the other parties (RE developer, beneficiary, etc.). Everybody agreed that this slowdown period caused by the global crisis is a good opportunity to study green construction principles and techniques, as the future of the construction industry will rely more on the quality of the buildings, rather than on the quantity of units produced.
As they say, “Let’s not waste a perfectly good crisis!“.
We were very glad to see your interest in the topic and your involvement in the discussions. We also hope that you enjoyed the movie, the popcorn, the wine and the networking opportunities, .
Photos from the event are available here. Or, you can view them as slideshow here.
Please feel free to send us your feedback, as well as suggestions for improving future events.
Laura
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