PraTLA - Students assess local energy efficiency potential

Nine months after the approval of the PraTLA project, the first round of practical trainings has taken place in the regions. To date there are 39 students who have carried or currently carry out practical trainings in various cities of the EnercitEE regions. In the trainings the students assist and support local authorities in the identification and analysis of relevant energy efficient topics.

Steffi Hänig, and Armin Verch for example, two students from Zittau University in Saxony applied for a practical training in the Swedish region of Smaland. Their studies in economics were matched by the Swedish partners and it came out that they could best assist the Energy Agency for Southeast Sweden’s branch in Oskarshamn in the daily energy consulting of smaller municipalities in the region. Armin stayed four, Steffi six months in the energy agency. In their trainings they could get a closer look on local energy management and the measures that are carried out in Sweden. Some of their experiences they have shared on EnercitEE’s webblog.

Polish students and Lower Silesian regional coordinator Natalia Janik (left)

In Lower Silesia, the regional call that Natalia Janik from the Polish partner KARR tendered, was well received. Seven students were selected in the first round and will now carry out evaluation on different energy efficiency topics, such as working on a strategy for reducing energy consumption and the potential of using renewable energies in school buildings as a component of the local energy policy in the city of Jelcz-Laskowice.

In Haute-Savoie, the approach of the French partner CAUE is to pool several students to perform a joint analysis of energy related subjects in local authorities. Here, already first documents were produced. The results and experiences were also presented in a larger event together with representatives of the participating cities and of the Haute-Savoie council. In this event it came out that the practical trainings of students can have a real impact on the realisation of the cities’ energy efficiency potential. Moreover, these first assessments often serve as a kick start for further energy efficiency measures in the long-run.

Further information: www.enercitee.eu/PraTLA