The EU/UNDP Project "Energy Efficiency in Schools" is heading into the homestretch.
State-of-the-art energy saving and efficient technology was introduced in Grodno Kindergarten # 45 under a pilot project of EU/UNDP and the Energy Efficiency Department of the Belarus State Standardization Committee.
The kindergarten opening ceremony held in Hrodna on September 16, 2016, was attended by:
Viktor Andreyevich Liskovich, Deputy Chairperson of the Hrodna voblasts Executive Committee and Deputy of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus.
Vladimir Nikolayevich Komashko, Deputy Director of the Energy Efficiency Department of the Belarus State Standardization Committee
Mechislav Bronislavovich Goy, Chairperson of the Hrodna City Executive Committee
Audronė Urbonavičiūtė, Head of the Project and Program Operations Department, Delegation of the European Union in the Republic of Belarus, Counsellor
Igor Ivanovich Chilba, Project Coordinator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
The 24 solar collectors installed on the building roof provide for water heating to 60 degrees. According to Lyudmila Kushniruk, Kindergarten # 24 Manager, the energy consumption costs reduced two times after thermal renovation. Estimates suggest that the saving amounts will reach BYN 180,000 a year.
Triple-glazed windows replaced old ones, roofing and walls were insulated in the kindergarten. The energy-recovery ventilation system will help reduce heat losses by 28-30% providing for economic viability of such technologies in educational buildings.
New energy efficiency equipment, such as an induction cooktop and special cookware were installed in the kindergarten cafeteria.
Also, active awareness activities was held in the kindergarten throughout the project life to promote the 'green' way of life. Audronė Urbonavičiūtė, Head of the Project and Program Operations Department, Delegation of the European Union in the Republic of Belarus, Counsellor, mentioned that the European Union has accumulated experience of interaction with local communities on this matter: "We have confirmed that we can teach the elder generation through children".
The kindergarten students have prepared an 'energy efficient' concert programme for the guests. At the end of the event, the guests of honour and young actors exchanged souvenirs.
Opening of three more energy efficiency schools is scheduled within the next two months under the "Energy Efficiency in Schools" Project.
