Case study RURENER

Profile of NAGYPÁLI

Geographical position

Situation: Zala County, between the Kemeneshát and the Middle-Zala Hill, North side of Zala River.Area: 6,28 km2

Population: 430 inhabitantsPopulation density: 59,6 hab/km²The closest biggest city: Zalaegerszeg (8 km, 61 774 inhabitants in Jan. 2009)

Land Use:Nagypáli can be found in an idyllic natural area, there are forests, nice fields and lovely hills around it. It’s an ideal place for relax and hiking. The community is connected to the electricity and gas network.

Natural resources for energy strong resources in wood and forest strong sunshine strong geothermic energy resources

There are many technologies based on renewable energies in the area. Solar system became popular and the biomass usage is good for village heating ideas.

Inhabitants and activities:

378 inhabitants in 2008, 165 households Most of the inhabitants work in Zalaegerszeg (8 km). Unemployment rate was 2% in

2008 The traditional economical activities of the inhabitants are connected with agriculture

(apples, grapes growing). There is one shop and no schools and no kindergarten in the village, the closest school

is a few km far within the joint community.

Nagypáli is currently developing a new modern housing estate with 95 new sites. This will help to support a younger population and create the opportunity to double the number of inhabitants within a few years.The village has an active civil society with many groups engaging in cultural and social activities that enrich community life for residents.

Legal framework and public policiesThe municipality started an economy developing program. This program has an important part like the renewable energy sources and its usage. There are agricultural plans regarding realization of an energy plant near Nagypáli with the partnership of the University of Keszthely, which can demonstrate how to grow the energy forest. The municipality organises regularly conferences, exhibitions, forums in the Innovation Ecocentre for renewable energy sources with the title: Ecotourism and Eco-economic tourism conference, exhibition. There were performed presentations by well known energetic specialists in the theme and agricultural companies, families, factories and national parks exhibited all part of the region and gave information for all members and visitors about the possibilities and their services. The visitors could see the special machines working, and could sit around round table with the specialists. Nagypáli is very fond of the theme of renewable energy utilization and raising awareness. The main goal of the municipality is to inform inhabitants about the environment protection and the renewable energies. Thanks for that program many new built houses are working with solar technology in the new housing estate.

Renewable Energy SourcesExisting detailed plans for a biomass power station, Innovation Ecocentre for renewable energy sources with working solar system, pellet heating system, geothermal system for heating and cooling, wind rotor, to propagate RES technologies. Activities of the Ecocentre are: organization of how-to training, conferences, development of a best-practice book about renewable energy projects, creation of a regional energy concept and development plan.

Plans to the future: to build a biomass and biogas power station, that will create an independent energy supply. Six companies are ready to manage the RES business activities in the village. One of them is going to establish a pellet making plant and energy plantation on 600 ha area.

Rational Use of Energy

Solar collectors surface in the area of municipality: 305,6 m2

Total efficiency: 641,4 kW/year

Photovoltaic cells in the area of municipality: 6,5 m2

Total efficiency: 0,825 kW/year

Realized heating reconstruction of the municipality buildings (the community house, the shop and the health centre).This new heating system consists of a solar technology and a wood gas heating system, called ATMOS. This technology is really cost and energy efficient.Plans to the future: Climatisation system using solar system. Organization of conferences, exhibitions, forums in the Innovation Ecocentre for renewable energy resources

STRENGTHS- RES potential (solar energy,

biomass)- High value of natural heritage,

favouring the development of clean energies

- Research & Development in RES issues

- Existence of energy market- Existence of Energy management

Agency (Innovation Ecocentre)- Existing working solar system,

pellet heating system, geothermal system for heating and cooling, wind rotor, to propagate RES technologies

- Acquaintance in RES policy and opportunities

- Prompt mayor- Active participating in getting

funds- Existing data regarding RES

consumption- Existing energy strategy

WEAKNESSES- lack of financial support- Insufficient infrastructure for

RES use- No feed-in-law for thermal

applications- Energy efficiency in buildings in

not an obligation yet- Absence of TOR for the

construction of the building- Low public awareness- Low sensitiveness to energy

saving