One of the ongoing activities within the COACH BioEnergy project is the implementation of the previously developed Renewable Energy Strategy Planning (RESP) method in designated model regions in each participating country.

In Hungary Szada, a township with 4,000 inhabitants in Pest county, has been assigned after conciliation with the mayor, Mr László Vécsey. Back in 2007 the researchers of the Institute of Environmental and Landscape Management of Szent István University – a project partner – have put significant efforts into developing a feasibility study for a biogas plant in Szada. This complex planning activity is a follow-up to the good cooperation started then.

The focus of strategic planning is on considering environmental and socio-economic criteria while planning renewable energy systems that comply best with local characteristics and needs. The work includes methods of spatial planning, life cycle assessments and investment calculations. The emphasis is also on involving the public into the process.

Szent István Univesity (SZIE) started with the Renewable Energy Strategy Planning in Szada in April 2010. The one-year-work includes the organisation of several public forums with the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders e.g. the leaders of the municipality and its institutions, farmers, entrepreneurs and NGOs. These forums help answering questions about potential renewable energy utilisation – focusing on biomass –in Szada. The forums are accompanied by questionnaire surveys and interviews.

Four public forums are scheduled with different topics, two of which have already taken place.

1^st forum: project launch and introduction (May 2010)

2^nd forum: biomass resource production – the potential of locally available biomass (renewable energy) (June 2010)

3^rd forum: technical solutions of biomass utilisation – collective decision on aspects of utilisation (September 2010)

4^th forum: energy and economic parameters of the chosen technology – decision on the most suitable form of application (November 2010)

Due to experiences of the first two forums local farmers are very much interested in the potentials of biomass production. Also the management of the township is committed to using renewable energy sources. However, some uncertainty arose due to restraints on Natura 2000 conservation sites.

According to SZIE’s calculations Szada could reach a 30-40% level of energy autonomy by using locally available bioenergy, which could be extended with the help of energy efficiency programmes and other renewable energy sources e.g. solar, wind or geothermal.