Management of the Energy Crisis - Workshops of EDA THESS with Technical Associations and Supply Companies

With a view to further strengthening the effective cooperation and coordinated actions to cope with the energy crisis, EDA THESS organised workshops with the Technical Associations and Supply Companies (Distribution Users), to inform existing and potential consumers about the benefits of natural gas, the proper use of natural gas installations and the importance of EDA THESS infrastructure.

Workshop with Technical Associations at the License Area of the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki

 

 

The meeting with the Technical Associations held at the premises of the Company in Thessaloniki was attended by:

• The Technical Chamber – Department of Central Macedonia
• The Association of Electrical Engineers of Northern Greece
• The Association of Thermo-hydraulic System Contractors of Thessaloniki
• The Association of Heating System Technicians “Prometheus”

Workshop with the Technical Associations at the License Area of the Region of Thessaly

 

 

The meeting held at the premises of the Company in Thessaly was attended by:

• The Technical Chamber – Department of Central and Western Thessaly
• The Panhellenic Association of Electrical Engineers of Central and Western Thessaly
• The Association of Licensed Installers of Liquid and Gas Fuels of Thessaly “Heating”
• The Association of Thermo-hydraulic System Technicians of the Prefecture of Larissa
•  The Plumbers’ Association of the Prefecture of Karditsa
•  The Plumbers’ Association of the Prefecture of Trikala

 

Online Workshop with Supply Companies

In addition, an online working meeting was held with the Supply Companies (Distribution Users) that operate on the natural gas networks of Thessaloniki and Thessaly.

 

In the meetings, the General Manager, Mr. L. Bakouras, pointed out the "first energy transition" that has already been achieved throughout the 22-year history of the Company, as citizens, all public and municipal buildings, the commercial sector, the industries and the productive sector in the license areas have switched to the use of natural gas. This choice proves the trust of consumers in natural gas, a user-friendly and efficient fuel that has contributed over time both to the local development and to the stimulation of the national economy.

Informing all consumers about the correct and safe use of natural gas is a goal of the utmost importance for EDA THESS, which, in response to the current reality marked by high energy costs, continuously informs consumers about optimal energy management, further contributing to the country's energy savings. The Information Leaflet on the Correct and Safe Use of Natural Gas has been distributed consistently since the establishment of the Company, while also posted on the corporate website of EDA THESS.

 

 

Information of Stakeholders

In the meetings with the Technical Associations and the Supply Companies, there was full consensus and the following conclusions were jointly recorded:

1. The adequacy and security of Natural Gas supply to Protected Consumers has been ensured in accordance with the announcements of the State.
2. The substitution of natural gas with an alternative fuel, which would lead to a new burden on the end consumers for the conversion of their heating systems, is not a technically and economically efficient solution. The vast majority of residential consumers (95%) in the EDA THESS License areas have chosen to become self-sufficient, investing in individual natural gas heating systems and it is technically and financially impossible to replace the devices again. At the same time, an extremely high investment would be required to replace natural gas systems for Central Heating as well as for Public-Municipal buildings, which is not cost-effective.
3. Natural gas prices will range at affordable levels, as it was recently announced that DEPA Commercial, in collaboration with the other providers, will provide a horizontal subsidy of €90 per thermal MWh for all residential consumers covering the total monthly consumption, absorbing more than 50% of the cost increase. The measure concerns 700,000 residential consumers regardless of income, size of residence or provider. The Natural Gas subsidy from the Government to all Commercial and Industrial Consumers regardless of scale, turnover and number of employees, for October, will reach €40 per thermal MWh.

Technical advice to Consumers

4. In order to rationalize the use of natural gas, the following technical advice to consumers was concluded:
   • Set the temperature on the thermostat to 18°C - 20°C maximum. In case the thermostat is old, replace it with a new digital thermostat (preferably portable) to ensure optimal control of the space temperature.
   • Do not leave the thermostat on at a high temperature when you are away. Lower the temperature.
   • Do not cover radiators with curtains or coverings preventing the diffusion of heat. Leave the surrounding space free of objects.
   • Control the temperature of every room separately, using devices (eg thermostatic heads) on every radiator. Reducing the temperature in the rooms by 1^oC means saving about 6% of the total energy. Isolate the rooms that are not used.
   • Lower the Hot Water temperature. Having your boiler produce hot water and mixing it in your tap to cool it down is a big waste of energy.
   • Regularly check and maintain the boiler and gas appliances. Regular maintenance is not only mandatory by law, but also guarantees safety and savings by increasing the efficiency of the appliances. After the maintenance, request the legal exhaust gas sheet from the licensed technician, which lists the pollutants, the combustion efficiency of your boiler and any comments – advice for the cost-effective and safe operation of the installation.
   • If you are planning to replace your boiler, install a new condensing or high efficiency boiler, equipped with balancing system according to the instructions of the installation/maintenance technician.
   • Check the correct operation of all radiators, as well as of the regulating switches, for reduced or zero flow of hot heating water.
   • Clean and vent the heating network (pipes - radiators), to save energy up to 30% and ensure proper system performance.
   • Hydraulic piping insulation check. For natural gas units installed externally, the plumbing and insulation should be checked by a licensed technician. If there are worn parts on the insulation, they should be repaired or replaced.
   • In case of a central heating installation:

- Install a boiler balancing unit

- Install thermal insulation on all heating pipes located in common spaces.

• If you use natural gas for cooking:

- Use cookware whose size matches the diameter of the hob burner.

- Turn off the heat before the end of cooking, to take advantage of the remaining heat on the burner.

To take energy-saving measures means that …

• I protect the environment we live in and contribute to reducing consumption across the planet.
• I use less energy and I immediately reduce the cost of heating and hot water.
• I improve the level of comfort inside the house.
• I invest my money in a smart and effective way.
• Maintaining my heating system, I earn money by saving energy.

5. Consumers made the right choice, as all these years in addition to savings, they trusted natural gas for its advantages:

• Longer life span: no ash is produced during its combustion and the proper operation and regular maintenance ensure longer life span of appliances.
• User-friendly: readily available in all areas of use. No ordering or storage tanks are required.
• Measurable: precise recording of the quantity of natural gas that has been consumed through the meter reading, and billing based on this quantity
• Safe: The European specifications of the applied Technical Regulation guarantee the highest levels of safety
• Eco-friendly: its combustion does not leave traces and residues nor does it produce sulfur compounds, which are one of the most important causes of pollution
• Convenient: devices such as wall-mounted boilers provide the possibility for special installation solutions, e.g. in case of renovation, individual heating, etc., which would be difficult to achieve with the useof other fuels.

EDA THESS has planned an information campaign to disseminate best practices for the correct and safe use of Natural Gas in the areas of its License.

The important benefits of the meetings were acknowledged by the participants, who exchanged views and committed to continue their cooperation to ensure optimal service provision and consumer information.

ITALGAS - 185 YEARS OF HISTORY

 

The General Manager, Mr. Leonidas Bakouras, stated: "Digital transformation will be completed with the arrival of the new shareholder - Italgas, a company with 185 years of history and experience. The same networks that today transport natural gas will in the future distribute "green energy, biomethane and hydrogen to end residential and industrial consumers."

The strategic planning of the coming years will be aligned with the investor's targeting of innovation, transition and energy efficiency. The infrastructures being built today, according to the development program of EDA THESS, are the infrastructures of the future, as they will continue to distribute natural gas alongside the integration of renewables for many years. Distribution companies will play a leading role in the energy system value chain as they drive the License areas to the 2nd energy transition unlocking value for all stakeholders, consumers, technical associations and distribution users.