• to compile, analyse and provide to experts and society the experience of efficient energy consumption in Lithuania and worldwide;

• projects for the realisation of National Energy Efficiency Programme;

• participation in international projects, organization of conferences and training courses.

 

Sustainable energy development and energy saving is the most important direction in energy sector both in Lithuania and in the European Union. At present, after the structure of final energy consumption has changed in Lithuania, households, industry, commercial and public service sectors cover almost two-thirds of the total final energy consumption. In these sectors the potential of increasing energy consumption efficiency is the biggest. It could be used by implementing up-to-date energy management systems, energy efficient techniques and technologies, and by improving organizational and legal measures.

 

 

 

 

In 2008 the state funded scientific research project Research of Increasing Energy Consumption Efficiency in Sectors of Industry and Buildings was completed. It provided the analysis of industry structural changes and energy consumption in industry for the period 2005–2007.

     

 

				Year
	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Energy intensity (TOE/million LTL of GDP)
Total	77.2	72.0	69.8	67.5	66.4	64.1
Industry	71.5	65.0	60.5	60.0	59.2	56.0
Work productivity (GDP/1hour of work, LTL)
Total	18.4	20.0	22.0	23.8	27.1	30.6
Manufacturing industry	17.8	20.1	24.9	26.0	29.2	32.0

 

 

The biggest branch of manufacture of food and beverages industry, consuming approximately one third of total industry energy input, was analysed in detail. One of efficiency assessment indicators of energy consumption in industry is the comparison of enterprises’ energy consumption to produce one production unit with analogous enterprises’ energy consumption in Western countries. Data on energy consumption efficiency in chosen enterprises of manufacture of food and beverage industry were collected and compared with analogous enterprises in Western countries, using the comparison methodology and experience of such countries. In accordance with obtained results, recommendations on enhancing possibilities and perspectives of energy consumption efficiency in the chosen industrial branch were presented. Energy management implementation model and prepared computer energy management “E-training” system were presented for small and medium-sized enterprises.

 

Principal scheme of cogeneration power plant with microturbine (fuel – gas, diesel): 1 – environmental air, 2 – air compressor, 3 – barrel, 4 – turbine, 5 – fuel, 6 – combustion chamber, 7 – combustion products, 8 – generator, 9 – electric power, 10 – recuperative air heater, 11 – residual heat exchanger, 12 – chimney, 13 – heat consumers		Principal scheme of cogeneration power plant with microturbine (fuel – biomass): 1 – supplied biomass, 2 – fuel storage, 3 – gasificator and combustion chamber, 4 – removed ash, 5 – combustion products, 6 – air heater, 7 – environmental air, 8 – air compressor, 9 – barrel, 10 – turbine, 11 – generator, 12 – electric power, 13 – residual heat exchanger, 14 – heat consumers, 15 – chimney

Taking into account the Directive 2004/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 on the promotion of cogeneration based on a useful heat demand in the internal energy market, possibilities assessment of implementation of low capacity (30–250 kW) microturbines in industrial and building sectors was carried out, whereas in several chosen objects also technical and economical justification of their implementation.

 

Possibilities of enhancing energy consumption efficiency in dwelling houses were estimated in the work. Detailed statistical data were collected on energy consuming facilities in dwelling houses, energy consumption efficiency, and possibilities of enhancing efficiency by changing existent equipment with new technologies. Obtained data were compared with analogous data of Western countries. Legal basis and obstacles, which prevent from enhancing energy consumption efficiency in dwelling houses, were estimated, and means were proposed for improving the situation.

 

When implementing National Energy Efficiency Enhancement Programme (2006–2010), the expert investigation on the causes of the accident, which occurred in water supply system of the pension-house (in Birštonas town), which belongs to JSC Senjorų Rezidencija, was carried out. Activities of boiler-houses, operated by Smalininkai technology and business schools, JSC Jurbarko Komunalininkas, public institution Eržvilko Pirminės Sveikatos Priežiūros Centras, and public institution Juodupės Komunalinis Ūkis for the period 2007–2008 were estimated and forecasted realization prices of district heating were determined. Technical and economical justification of heat network connection of Anykščiai town boiler-house in Pušynas and Šaltupiai streets was carried out as well as expert assessment of Geothermal heating system, installed in Teisėjų Mokymo Centras in Sanklodiškiai village (Molėtai district).

 

 

This Intelligent Energy – Europe project was implemented together with partners from 15 European countries for the period of 30 months. The project supervisor was French National Energy Agency.

 

The objective of the work was to estimate the efficiency of electric motor usage in industry of individual countries and propose means to enhance their usage efficiency. At the moment electric motors consume approximately 70% of total electricity consumed in industry.

 

In accordance with the project programme, LEI is devoted to investigate efficient electric motor usage in Lithuanian water supply enterprises. In Lithuanian enterprisers energy saving potential is very big. 

 

Energy audits were performed in chosen water supply enterprises. During audits electricity consumption parameter measuring methods were used and methods were developed to estimate the obtained measuring data. Obtained results according the common data comparison methodology were compared with the results of other countries. Preliminary energy consumption saving potential in water supply enterprises was determined. In individual enterprises it accounts for 50% of the presently consumed energy.

 

According research results means were determined and suggestions were submitted to water supply enterprises how to enhance usage of present electric motors by implementing new technologies and updating control of electric motors.

 

Energy Efficiency Research and Information Centre has become the representative of European efficient electric motor utilization programme in Lithuania. For the present time 30 new Lithuanian industrial enterprises have joined the Programme with the objective to enhance efficiency of electric motors used in enterprises.

 

 

Intelligent Energy – Europe project was carried out by partners from 9 EU countries for the period of 30 months. The project leader was Efficient Energy Center of the Czech Republic.

 

Main objective of the project was to estimate energy consumption in dwelling houses in EU countries, to estimate energy consumption efficiency, propose means to reduce energy consumption in dwelling houses. This project is relevant to Lithuania since two-thirds of electricity is consumed in premises.

 

 

Distribution of domestic fridges manufactured by SC Snaigė according energy efficiency classes

 

In accordance with the project, Lithuanian legal acts, regulating energy consumption in buildings, were assessed, energy audits were carried out in selected buildings, main energy consumers in dwelling houses were determined by using scientifically justified and specifically prepared methodology. Energy consumption efficiency of domestic electricity appliance was estimated. After performing energy audits, energy saving potential in dwelling houses was determined, and means were proposed for enhancing energy consumption efficiency.

 

Detailed information on electricity consumption in dwelling houses and prepared methodology, which will enable to estimate energy saving possibilities and technical and economical efficiency of implemented saving means, will enable habitants to efficiently consume energy in dwelling houses.

 

Intelligent Energy – Europe project, duration of which 28 months, was implemented by partners from 9 EU countries. The project leader was Efficient Energy Center of the Czech Republic.

 

 

EU Green Light programme’s winners

 

The objective of the project was to estimate electricity application for lightening urban areas and public buildings, and suggesting means how to reduce electricity consumption for lightening needs.

 

When implementing the project, presently used lightening technologies were estimated as well as possibilities for reducing energy consumption, new lightning technologies, which enable to significantly reduce presently consumed energy amount designed for lighting town areas and public buildings, were proposed.

 

Energy Efficiency Research and Information Centre was appointed a representative of the European Green Light programme for Lithuania.

 

The Green Light programme was established with the initiative of the European Commission on 7 February, 2000. When implementing the project approximately 40 different Lithuanian organizations joined the program (universities, municipalities, schools, sport halls, Kaunas airport, etc.).

 

The programme is independent and enterprises, organizations, which have implemented, are updating or are to update lightening systems of their buildings or territories, may independently join the implemented program. The European Commission does not directly give financial support for updating lightning systems, however it provides a big amount of information to specialists in the field of lightening on new and developed modern lightning systems, best experience of other countries in implementing updating of lightning systems.

 

Kaunas town municipality was very active in implementing the project, therefore, for the first time in the history of Lithuania, it was granted the European Green Light award for 2008 for active participation in updating lightning of Kaunas town streets.

 

Intelligent Energy – Europe project, duration of which 36 months, was implemented by partners from 12 EU countries. The project leader was German Renewable Energy Sources Center, established in Munich.

 

The objective of the project was to estimate development possibilities of decentralized energy production resources of regions of eight chosen EU countries by employing EU Structural and Cohesion Funds. When implementing the project, with the help of project partners (EURADA, REC, UNEP, URBIS and others), the EU policy, which promotes development of regions by reducing differences of economical development among individual country regions and promoting development of renewable energy sources in regions, was analyzed and estimated. One of the chosen EU regions was Kaunas region. The energy strategy was prepared for it. Main objective of Kaunas region Energy Strategy was to estimate the current situation of energy sector in the region, to estimate the potential of renewable energy sources, to present a vision of energy sector development, to give examples of the projects, which could be partially funded from EU Structural Funds.

 

 

Granting of award for Kaunas city municipality 
 

The energy strategy for Kaunas region was prepared in accordance with the Lithuanian National Energy Strategy. Main regulations of Kaunas region strategy satisfy the regulations of Lithuanian National Energy Strategy. Additional data on Kaunas region energy sector are presented in the Kaunas Region Energy Strategy.

 

Main factors, affecting stable energy activity in Lithuania (at the same time in Kaunas region), are the following:

 

I Prevailing import of primary energy resources from Russia, dependence of Lithuanian gas supply and energy systems on Russia’s energy systems and nonexistence of connections with Western European energy systems;

II Ignalina NPP shutdown in the year 2009, which will negatively affect the structure of energy resources, primary energy balances, and energy price for the period 2010–2015.

 

Enhancement of energy production and consumption efficiency, wider application of renewable energy sources may significantly mitigate a negative impact on energy sector activity and development in Kaunas region.

 

 

Presentation of international project Energy 4 Cohesion

 

Aiming at successfully implementation of innovative energy projects, a coherent cooperation of all interested organizations, such as district’s administration, municipalities, energy enterprises, communities of dwelling houses, banks, and others, is needed. When implementing the international project, a unified methodology for preparing strategies of region energy sector was proposed, which was used in preparing energy strategies of eight chosen EU countries’ regions. Ideas and proposals of different organizations were assessed and generalized in the above mentioned strategy by identifying directions and priorities of energy sector development. Project results were presented at eight national seminars, a common publication was prepared and translated into 8 foreign languages.

 

In the period 2007–2008 6 seminars (2 international ones) were organized, research results were presented in 12 scientific articles, 8 papers (2 international ones) were presented in scientific conferences.