In order to lay the groundwork for further project activities, the first step was an analysis of market conditions and the legal and regulatory framework for the decarbonisation of the heating and cooling sector in Work Package 2. On this basis, main drivers, barriers and examples of good practice were identified, respective to each target region.
In Work Package 3 the project partners analysed the socio-economic motives and mind-sets of key stakeholders, as well as their perceptions, attitudes and interests. In this regard, analyses related to each end consumers, intermediaries and investors, were developed for each target region. In order to prepare regional inventories, a statistical study of the heating systems market in all ten partner regions was conducted to identify a realistic activation potential for replacement activities to be reached by REPLACE.
The Activities carried out within Work Package 4 aimed at developing and providing instruments that will facilitate end users and other stakeholders to take informed boiler or oven replacement decisions. The following instruments have been prepared:
- An assessment matrix to determine the most suitable renewable heating system for a building, depending on its energy consumption level and building type and local conditions
- A practical guide (available in 9 languages) to end-users who are considering replacing their heating system, including concise factsheets, which present the renewable HC technologies currently available.
- A handbook (available in 9 languages) for intermediaries and investors, providing information on innovative business models, financing issues, best practice examples and model contracts, including technology factsheets with planning guidance information.
- A catalogue of 38 best practice examples of boiler and oven replacement projects and innovative approaches of replacement measures already implemented
At the same time, the online tool named “REPLACE your Heating System Calculator” was developed with the purpose to calculate the benefits and costs of real-life replacement projects without in-depth knowledge, user-friendly with only a few steps.
Work Package 5 aimed at preparing the ground for regional replacement campaigns, by multi-dimensional enabling activities.
In order to be able to develop region-specific measures, a total of 9 Local Working Groups (LWG) were formed, one for each target region. These LWG comprised of representatives from municipalities, installers, manufacturing industry and other important stakeholders to achieve the REPLACE goals. Regular LWG meetings were organised in order to discuss and agree on the preparation and implementation of the campaigns. On that basis an adequate implementation strategy was elaborated for each target region.
WP6 was dedicated to the implementation of replacement campaigns, which encompassed activities aimed at informing consumers about sustainable heating solutions and motivating them to replace their fossil-fueled or inefficient heating systems. In collaboration with the LWG REPLACE developed tailor-made boiler and oven replacement campaigns that have been rolled-out starting in the heating season 2021 to March 2023. Due to different local conditions, REPLACE together with the LWG provided a communication framework and a toolbox of a wide set of online and offline actions targeted to their needs, pursuing policy and business-related improvements.
The replacement campaigns involved a range of activities that were successfully carried out, resulting in increased awareness of sustainable energy options and a higher adoption rate of renewable heating systems. The campaigns included a wide mix of activities, such as the implementation of 10 webinars for local heating market actors with 300 participants, the organisation of open house events for best practice examples, and also regional field trips to good examples of sustainable heating systems were implemented, with a total of about 250 participants.
Furthermore, municipal information hubs were set up in the pilot regions to provide the public with access to a range of useful resources. In total, 32 information centres were set up in all pilot regions, which were used by around 10,000 visitors throughout the project period. The project participated in a total of seven fairs and festivals and was able to reach around 4,500 consumers there.
