Lighting public buildings in Hungary: energy efficiency potentials and barriers

Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, Central European University, Hungary
Adam Szeszler, Data Explorer
Yulia Malikova, Florida Institute of Technology, USA

Keywords

ballasts, compact fluorescent lamps, cost-effectiveness indicators, decision-making, efficiency retrofits, energy savings, energy use, incandescent lamps, interviews, lighting system, luminaires, market barriers, municipally financed buildings, survey

Abstract

After a decade of economic transitions in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), improvements in the extremely high energy intensities have been moderate even in countries where the transitions to a market economy can be considered complete. Publicly and municipally financed buildings house some of the most significant still untapped potentials for energy savings by efficiency retrofits in these countries. Thus, they are prime candidates for major national and international energy-efficiency programs. However, they have only served hesitantly as targets of such programs during the past decade. The reasons for this include significant market barriers prevailing in this sector impeding the financial attractiveness of otherwise cost-effective energy-efficiency investments. Among the market barriers is our major lack of data and information on energy use and equipment saturations in this sector; and thus we have a limited understanding of the energy efficiency potentials and cost-effectiveness indicators.

Recognising this major limitation in information and data hampering energy-efficiency initiatives in this sector, the purpose of the work reported in this paper was to map the state of lighting systems in the public sector in Hungary; pointing to the magnitude of the efficiency potentials; and to gain an insight into the prevalent barriers to energy efficiency retrofits. The method of research has included the visual audit of the lighting systems in a carefully designed sample of 421 educational and medical facilities in Hungary by trained auditors. In addition, the lighting system decision-makers of the surveyed institutes were interviewed related to their awareness of energy efficiency potentials, barriers to implementation, and to their general behaviour related to lighting system decision-making.

The findings of this research has not only confirmed the significant potentials for energy efficiency improvements in this sector, but also established priorities for energy-efficiency projects. In addition, the research has shed light on a few key barriers to efficiency retrofits that need to be overcome before a widespread effort can be launched to tap these cost-effective efficiency potentials. Beyond the barriers, the paper identifies auxiliary benefits of energy efficiency programs in this sector as well.

To realise energy and cost savings potentials, the paper concludes, a concerted effort is needed from the side of the institutions themselves, municipalities (assisting with at least information), the government (institutional reforms), potential financing institutions, manufacturers, and the energy-efficiency community.