Why are household appliances labelled, what exactly does European legislation require, how is its fulfilment controlled and why is it a good idea to use energy labelling in promoting and selling electrical appliances? These, and other questions concerning customer awareness of the energy aspects of operating household appliances, are answered in two newly issued publications, focussed on government institutions and controlling authorities, and on the manufacturers and retailers of electrical appliances.

This study was produced for the Russian company KES (Kompleksnyje energetičeskije systěmy) that is a majority owner of the CZT system in the Russian city of Iževsk, with approximately 600 thousand citizens. SEVEn was a member of an international team directed by the company euc – Dr. Bernd Kalkum. The purpose of the study was to analyze the current status of resources and distribution networks and to draft an investment plan and measures to increase operational effi ciency. It also included the estimated thermal consumption course of new consumers and reducing current consumption.

The company SEVEn participated in an international team of experts in preparing a tender launched by the European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR) involving a project for modifying the CZT system in five Serbian cities (Čačak, Pančevo, Subotica, Užice and Valjevo). In particular this included a detail specification of the scope of individual measures, preparing technical criteria and the criteria for the technical evaluation of proposals as well as participating in the evaluating team.

In 2000, the European Commission initiated the European GreenLight programme, the objective of which is to promote and support energy efficient lighting in the area of services, industry and public lighting. The programme associates partners that have quality but energy efficient lighting on their premises. Since 2006, SEVEn is the coordinator of the New GreenLight project, organising and promoting this project within the framework of eight countries in Central and Eastern Europe, with support of the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme.

Energy reports and energy action plans were processed for the three Serbian municipalities of Jagodina, Kraljevo and Sombor. The report included an analysis of potential energy savings on the consumption side and supply side (central heat supply system), with pinpointing of the specific priorities of each town. The analysis was based on informative energy audits of selected buildings and end consumers and the heating company as the supplier. Offer curves were processed for selected typical buildings and for entire groups of buildings (consumption sectors).

This comprehensive project concentrates and shares experience and instruments for the support of sustainable development of energy use in the communal sphere. The project contains a combination of energy planning, energy market and services, and on the active role of energy consumers. The SEVEn Centre is a participant in the joint project, managed by the Danish company ECNet. Apart from the Czech Republic, it includes representatives from municipalities in Bulgaria, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Germany.