AREA 21 has been implemented in seven Energy Improvement Districts (EIDs) across the Baltic Sea Region. The seven pilot areas have worked towards transforming the energy efficiency potential and serving as catalysts for intensified cooperation and stronger local stakeholder networks.
One such is the pilot area Härmälä in Tampere, Finland, that is contributing to fulfill the city-wide vision to become carbon neutral by 2030. The team has developed an operating model for the replacement of oil-based heating systems in residential buildings. This will not only reduce oil consumption, but also have a significant impact on the overall greenhouse gas emissions in the city.
The key priority areas under the operating model in the EID Härmälä are to reduce the reliance on oil heating and to realize a wide range of energy actions in the residential building stocks. The operating model combines many energy efficiency measures for the optimization of heating systems in residential buildings. These were presented at a national event with the theme “From oil to renewables”, organized in cooperation with the Energy Authority of Finland and Motiva Ltd. – a national sustainable development company.
The developed operating model consists of the following elements:
- a calculator for comparing heating systems
- instructions for changing heating system
- information about heating system options
- examples of buildings
- instructions for bidding race
- ready loan packages
- information about financial aids
Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the event was organized as a web conference. A total of 47 participants representing various organizations in Finland exchanged their views on the subject. The operating model will also be piloted and further elaborated in the Area 21 + action project which begins in October 2020.
The city of Tampere is under the process of preparing a web-based information campaign and energy advising.
