The development, implementation and monitoring of the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan require a significant amount of data and analysis, as well as an effective and comprehensive decision making process. This chapter presents the pilot application of the proposed “MPC+ (Map - Plan - Choose - Check)” framework, through the “Action3” Decision Support System, in a Greek energy-producing community. The pilot application is conducted in three phases, namely the development of the baseline emission inventory (Phase I), the creation and evaluation of alternative Scenarios of Actions (Phase II) and the monitoring of the actions and measures implemented (Phase III). The city's univocal economy orientation of energy production through lignite is considered as a basic, inhibitory factor towards sustainability. In this respect, the city has committed to implement a series of appropriate renewable energy and rational use of energy activities in its territory, laying balanced emphasis on the local energy and heat production, and the promotion and implementation of measures on energy savings. A significant part of the CO2 emissions' reduction will come from the installation of biomass district heating systems in local communities.
TopIntroduction
The aim of this Chapter is to present the pilot application of the proposed approach “MPC+ (Map - Plan - Choose - Check)”, through the information system “Action3”, in a Greek municipality. More specifically, the MPC+ approach has been applied to the Municipality of Amyntaio, Greece, during the development of its Sustainable Energy Action Plan within the framework of the Covenant of Mayors.
The Municipality of Amyntaio has proceeded to the adoption of a series of initiatives and actions by 2020, taking into consideration that the local authorities’ role is not limited to the provision of public services to citizens, but they ought to operate as a political, social and development body. The first step towards this direction was implemented through the Municipality’s participation in the Network of Energy Producing Municipalities (NEProM). NEProM includes the five Greek Municipalities, where PPC has established and operates thermal power stations for electricity production through lignite. The Network’s strategic objectives include the environmental protection of the particular areas, as well as the local economies’ and societies’ smooth transition to the post-lignite period, through the promotion of alternative technologies. The Mayor and municipal council of Amyntaio, exhibiting their strong political will and commitment towards sustainable energy planning, adhered to the Covenant of Mayors (CoM) on the 18th April of 2011.
The pilot application of the proposed approach “MPC+ (Map - Plan - Choose - Check)”, through the information system “Action3”, is conducted in three phases, as shown in Figure 1.
Apart from the introduction, this Chapter is structured along four sections. Sections 2-4 provide the results from the application of the MPC+ approach to the Greek municipality, namely the development of the baseline emission inventory (Phase 1), the creation and evaluation of alternative Scenarios of Actions (Phase 2) and the monitoring of Action Plan implemented (Phase 3). Finally, the last section just summarizes the key issues that have arisen in this paper.
TopPhase I: Baseline Emision Inventory
Characteristics
The Municipality of Amyntaio is located in the southern part of the district of Florina and has an area of 58.932,3 ha. Ayntaio is a municipality in the prefecture of Florina in Macedonia, Greece and consists of six municipal units, namely Aetos, Amyntaio, Variko, Lechovo, Nymfaio and Filotas. The total population was 16.890 inhabitants in 2011. The population of the municipality remained at the same level for the period 1991 – 2001, as shown in Figure 2, increased compared to 2011 (Figure 2).
The agricultural sector is characterized by a strong orientation to arable crops. The vineyard plays also an important role in the Municipality of Amyntaio.
Due to its richness in lignite, a Lignite-Fired Power Plant is operating in Amyntaio which consists of two units of 300 MW each. These units are part of the largest Greek Lignite Production Center established in the Ptolemais-Amyntaio district, where there are 16 generating units in function with a total capacity of 4,050 MW. Furthermore, in the surrounding area four mines are currently operating, and supply the nearest plants with lignite.
The district of Amyntaio is ranked among the most air-polluted regions in Greece and studies indicate that the local residents encounter severe health related problems. Thus, the necessity for Amyntaio to transform its energy profile in a more sustainable one is more than evident. These necessities have to be directly linked with the constant and stable employment of local citizens. Moreover, the severely suffering from financial and economic crisis Greek municipality is in need for development opportunities, such as those arising from sustainable energy prospects.