PROJECT SUMMARY

The ACCESS project addresses small-scale technologies that utilise biomass and solar energy for space heating and hot-water supply in dwellings with individual and local heating systems in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia.

The project aims to accelerate the penetration of these technologies in the targeted countries.

The particular project objectives are:

1. To systemize data about the biomass resources that indicate the potential for energy utilization in each country.
2. To outline the perspectives to the development of this potential.
3. To enable interested stakeholders to identify the optimal scheme for combined utilization of solar thermal and biomass energy.
4. To make the interested stakeholders aware of the technology developments, and standards and labels (particularly, Solar Keymark scheme) for the concerned technologies and biomass products in the "old" EU member states.
5. To develop a virtual market of these technologies.
6. To propose financing mechanisms that would aid the low-income residents to afford the concerned technologies.

The following activities have been completed:

1. Review of previous studies and development of maps of the biomass resources in each of the target countries.
2. Systematization of the data on the biomass briquettes and pellets produced in these countries.
3. Assessment of opportunities to increase the biomass potential available for energy purposes.
4. Development of a software tool and a guidance for identifying the optimal parameters of a scheme for combined utilization of solar energy and biomass.
5. Training - one course for producers, installers, ESCOs, and consultants dealing with the concerned technologies, and one course for decision-makers from governments, municipalities, and energy agencies.
6. Promotion of the EU experience regarding standards for biomass briquettes/pellets and concerned technologies.
7. Elaboration of appropriate financing schemes.
8. Development of a website representing a virtual market place for the concerned technologies.
9. Dissemination of information, i.e. national seminars, web-pages, newsletters, articles, workshops.