PRESS RELEASE
Advanced Engineering Associates International
2 Proshyan Street
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: 374-1-221-969, 261-770
Fax: 374-1- 275-491
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
“Eight New Energy Efficiency Pilot Projects Started by AEAI Armenia in April 2005”
In the framework of the USAID funded Energy Efficiency, Demand Side
Management and Renewable Energy Program (EE, DSM, RE Program), in
March – April 2005 Advanced Engineering Associates International has
launched eight new pilot projects implemented by a number of Armenian
energy service companies such as Anergo Two, Contact A, Technokom,
Thermoservice and South Therm Ltd. All these initiatives are aimed
at demonstration of advanced energy efficient technologies and their
application in various sectors of Armenia. With major funding endowed
by USAID Armenia the range of projects’ cost sharing by beneficiaries
makes up from 20% to 50% of the approved budgets. The projects will
last six months on average and will involve different measures ensuring
smooth and safe functioning of heating systems.
The most part of the demonstrations’ sites is concentrated in the
capital; however a lot of repairing, weatherization and local gas-fired
system rehabilitation works will also be performed in the Town Hospital
of Sevan, Gegharkunik marz. For thirteen years the hospital building
was only heated by electricity having left the previously run internal
heating system in an extremely poor condition. Sizeable energy losses
occurred due to cold air infiltration through numerous gaps in the old
and improperly fixed windows and outside doors. The problem solution
offered by AEAI Armenia includes renovation of the entire internal
heating system as part of full construction of the local heating
system with installation of a gas-fired boiler house. The indoor
comfort level will be controlled by regulating valves. This option of
using gas instead of electricity for space and water heating purposes
considerably reduces future energy demands; it also decreases harmful
emissions at the thermal power plant making the activity beneficial
from the environmental viewpoint.
Similar project has been started at the Maternity Care Research Center
located in the center of Yerevan. With a 40-year old internal heating
system which is currently depreciated completely after having stayed
idle within the last 13 years, the Center’s sole heating option
was use of low-efficient and rather expensive electrical coils. In
order to provide the patients and personnel of the Center with more
comfortable, secure and affordable heating EE, DSM, RE Program has
approved construction of a boiler house equipped with two gas-fired
boilers, low pressure gas supply pipeline as well as renovation of
the internal heating system with installed cast iron radiators and
regulating valves for keeping desired temperature in the rooms. The
economic analysis of this pilot displays its high financial feasibility
as savings are three times more than investments and internal rate
of return (IRR) makes 43 %.
Another medical institution will benefit from AEAI initiatives
by renovating its heating systems. Arabkir Joint Medical Center
Institute of Child and Adolescent Health which for many years used
ineffective electrical coils for space and water heating will now
switch to gas-fired option running a newly constructed and highly
efficient local heating system. In addition, the project involves
isolation of heated zones from cold air as well as installation of
flat plate solar collectors for water heating purpose.
Solar water heating technology will also be applied at the Yerevan
based Germes-Art LLC semiprecious stone processing company. The site
has excellent solar irradiation and the use of solar energy here
promises significant energy and funds savings. The solar water heating
system at the site will be mounted with a back up of electricity,
including flat plate solar collectors of 44 m2, a 2-ton storage tank
and a system control component. Along with raising the process of
production reliability the installation of solar water heating system
will definitely reduce environmental emissions.
Local gas-fired heating systems will be fully constructed at Armenfilm
NCSO Film Studio and Physics Institute in Yerevan. Weatherization
of windows and outside doors will be additionally performed at the
both sites whereas the second one will also involve works on internal
heating system renovation.
The pilot projects launched at the Regional (Caucasus) Academy of
Information Technologies and residential building located on Sayat-Nova
33, Yerevan are practically follow-up activities aimed to enlarge
the outcome of previously implemented AEAI demonstrations and use
entire capacities of the already installed equipment. Thus, AEAI will
construct the internal heating network of the Academy’s Building #3
and expand the external heat supply pipelines connecting the building
to the local gas boiler house which is powerful enough to properly
provide warmth to all the buildings of the institution. Similarly,
5 residential building located in the nearby territory of the
private boiler house on Sayat-Nova 33, will benefit from heat supply
services. The boiler house presently uses about a half of its installed
capacity making the level of this business profitability lower due to
small number of consumers. Expansion of the existing external heating
system to the neighboring buildings will solve the sales issue for
the business and provide safe and comfortable heating to residents
in winter season.
These activities supplement the list of other 28 pilots accomplished
within the EE, DSM, RE Program over the years 2002-2005. In 2005,
AEAI, with funding from USAID, has initiated a series of various
demonstration projects targeting energy efficiency and renewable
energy issues.
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