Jiříkov’s path to a clean energy future

One such place is the historically industrial town of Jiříkov in the Ústí nad Labem region of the Czech Republic, which is now experiencing a significant outflow of its young population. The LIFE RePower the Regions: Ambitious and inclusive clean energy plans for repowering the just transition regions project provides an opportunity to support regional development and the transition of the energy sector to cleaner and more sustainable sources. The European vision for energy transformation is thus being realised on the ground and is being made tangible by involving specific communities and individuals.

Thanks to its cooperation with the Centre for Transport and Energy and its participation in the LIFE project, the municipality had a great opportunity to develop a technical solution in selected areas of decarbonisation. The municipality, represented by the Mayor of Jiříkov, Jindřich Jurajda, chose the feasibility study for the construction of a district heating system powered by clean energy sources that would supply heat to a number of selected municipal buildings. The study was conducted by the University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings at the Czech Technical University. According to Jurajda, decarbonisation is a priority that will receive increasing support from both the state and the European Union. ‘We can’t just wait for someone else to come up with a solution and implement it,’ he says, explaining why he was one of the first Czech mayors to develop a specific plan for decarbonising municipal heating.

The analysis includes a proposal for a functional district heating system for selected buildings owned by the municipality that will reduce harmful emissions and increase energy efficiency in building operations. The result is a detailed assessment of existing technologies and their advantages and disadvantages. The sustainability of some of the options, which rely on biomass or bio LNG cogeneration units, depends on using locally sourced feedstock derived solely from residues. Among the proposed alternatives is also one that involves the construction of a fossil gas CHP unit that would support a ground/water heat pump. While this would partially help to reduce emissions, relying on fossil gas is an unsustainable strategy in the long term. The cleanest option proposed is a heating system using a ground/water heat pump. 

It is now up to Jiříkov to choose a specific option and find funding for its implementation. Whichever proposed path it takes, it will be a step forward in a country lacking any systemic decarbonisation plan at the national level. If implemented, the project would not only help Jiříkov to reduce emissions, but also to become more energy self-sufficient and to save part of the municipal budget, which could then be invested in areas of need.

‘The funds saved can be directed to other areas of the town’s economy – to name the classic clichés, this could be building pavements, repairing roads, renovating other buildings, insulating windows, repairing roofs…’ says Jurajda.

‘The LIFE project is an effort by the European Union to provide a unique opportunity for the just transition regions to gain firsthand experience in decarbonisation on a small scale. Thus, they can contribute to reducing emissions while reaping co-benefits such as increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, saving public money that can be used elsewhere, and becoming more self-sufficient. All of this is done in cooperation with experts who analyse existing options specifically suited to Jiříkov’s particular conditions. Municipalities can then use this information to decide on a tailor-made solution and to assess how a more sustainable alternative will benefit them,’ explains Zuzana Vondrová, a just transition expert from the Centre for Transport and Energy.

Jiříkov is one of a select few European cities which the project is helping to develop a comprehensive energy savings plan, providing a detailed roadmap for building heating and cooling solutions based on local energy sources. By involving cities and municipalities from coal regions in other countries, such as Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Bulgaria, it also allows city representatives to share valuable experience in finding ways to use local, low-emission energy resources.