Issue No1, December 8, 2016: Focus: Energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable energy

Half of these participants also attended Week 2 in the Village of Kalavan where they gained hands-on experience in improving the thermal insulation of the village schoolhouse. Kalavan is a village adjacent to forested areas and the residents rely on wood from the forest for their winter heating. The Week 2 activities were, in part, aimed at demonstrating the impact of thermal insulation of fuel-wood consumption and overall thermal comfort of the interior space.

Below are some of the stories related to the Sustainable Energy Academy 2016. Please enjoy and let us know your thoughts and suggestions.

On the fourth day of the Week 1 of Academy 2016, participants were given energy-efficiency or renewable-energy products/solutions to research in the Yerevan market. The aim of the market research was to see: a) if the products were available in the market; b) what range of product/solution choices were available; and c) how informed the sales people were about the products/solutions they were selling. Read More

Kalavan was selected because of its proximity to forest areas and the interest of village members in protecting their natural environment. The aim of the pilot was to educate and raise public awareness about building insulation and energy efficiency. The work was conducted after approval was received from the Gegharkunik Governor’s office. School properties belong to marz governments. Click here for video and more.

One of the surprising aspects of Sustainable Energy Academy 2016 was the diversity of its participants. There were local and provincial government representatives from the Syunik and Gegharkunik regions. Read More

In the last day of Week 1 of Academy 2016, participants were asked to evaluate their experience. Out of the 40 participants to Week 1, 30 attended the last session and completed the evaluation questionnaire. Also, the participants were asked to complete a questionnaire on sustainable energy at the start of the Academy’s Week 1 and at the end. They showed impressive progress. See results.

Academy 2016’s lectures, readings, audio-visual materials, and reference materials are all available online. The lectures are videotaped and uploaded on AUA Acopian Center’s YouTube channel. PowerPoint presentations are available for download. Textbooks and reading materials are also linked. You can access all these resources here.

The Heinrich Boell Foundation of South Caucasus, headquartered in Tbilisi, Georgia, was our collaborator in funding and organizing the Sustainable Energy Academy 2016. Find out more about the important work of this Foundation in transforming societies in the South Caucasus and around the world toward a greener future.