Implementation of the Responsible Green Destination Amazon of Europe (Amazing AoE) project (co-financed by the INTERREG Danube Transnational Program)
The Amazing AoE project aims to create a sustainable, green tourist destination in the Mura-Drava-Danube UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (TBR MDD). The main tourist product of the region is the cycling route running through the five countries. The Amazing AoE project can be seen as a continuation of the hiking trail project (Amazon of Europe).
The core implementation can be divided into three thematic work packages:
T1: Sustainable Green Destination Impact Model: In this work package, the methodology for the development of a green tourist destination is completed, including a deeper analysis of two priority areas (one in Somogy and one in Baranya County).
T2: Joint strategy and priority tourism projects: A participatory cross-border green tourism destination strategy has been developed with the involvement of all countries.
T3: Design of the green destination, application of the model and strategy
Professional contribution to the implementation of the RuGeoHeat SMF project (co-financed by the INTERREG Danube Transnational Program)
The RuGeoHeat SMF project was realized with the support of the Danube Transnational Program, the so-called Seed Money Facility (SMF) scheme. Its main objective is to lay the foundations for a transnational Danube cooperation project aimed at promoting the use of shallow geothermal potential for heating and cooling in rural areas along the Danube. The key elements of this future project are: conducting local action plans, developing an IT-based decision support system, creating a digital platform and promoting awareness raising actions to exploit the shallow geothermal renewable energy sources available.
CROST participates as professional contributor to the project’s Hungarian tasks:
- exploring and analysing professional documents on the use of shallow geothermal energy;
- development of the Danube transnational project plan;
- examining possible sources of funding.
Professional contribution to the implementation of the EV13 GAP Project (INTERREG V-A Co-financed by Hungary-Croatia Cross-Border Cooperation Program)
There is an important part missing in the 13th cycling route of the European Bicycle Route Network (EuroVelo) that runs on the east side of Barcs. Within the so called, EV 13 GAP project, the construction of a cycle path will take place linking settlements of Barcs and Drávatamási together, with a length of 8.6 km, therefore crossing by bicycle through the ancient juniper area of Barcs will eventually be possible. On the Croatian side, the connection lays in the designation of a bicycle connection through the border and the Jankovic castle that can be found there, along with the development of the castle and bicycle friendly improvements.
CROST participates in the elaboration of the tourism action plan of the project, coordinates the works on the Hungarian side in cooperation with the Tourist Office of Virovitica-Podravina county.
Establishment and preparation of a public geothermal heating system based on the waste heat of the thermal well in the Nagyatád Thermal Bath (financed by Széchenyi 2020 TOP-3.2.2-15-SO1)
In response to the initiative of our colleagues and in cooperation with energy experts, an innovative renewable energy recovery system will be built in Nagyatád that will utilize the heat of the thermal water of the spa. This renewable energy will provide the heating of the cultural centre, the town hall, the tourist centre, the Baross office building and the spa. In addition to protecting the environment, the 82,800 m³ fossil gas saving solution saves the town a minimum of 5-6 million HUF annually.
As a result of the project, the public buildings are connected by a thermal water pipeline to the buffer reservoir to be built at the Nagyatád Thermal and Medicinal Spa’s well, while the appropriate flow temperature is provided by the heat pump system utilizing the thermal energy of the thermal water in each institution. Solar panels are installed on the buildings to provide the electricity required by the heat pumps. In the project, the utilization of geothermal energy for heating purposes is done in the most optimal, cost effective way possible in a complex approach.
In addition to reducing spending and protecting the environment, the development is intended to stand out with setting a good example to be followed by as many urban residents as possible. Therefore, as part of the investment, measurement and built-in demonstration tools are implemented to enable municipal workers to directly see the reduction of fossil energy consumption and renewable energy, thereby improving their awareness, which is an important step towards sustainable energy use.
Professional contribution to the implementation of the EE SUN (Energy Efficient Sustainable Urban Neighbourhood) project (INTERREG V-A co-financed by Hungary-Croatia Cross-border Co-operation Program)
Our colleagues have also made significant efforts in the INTERREG V-A Program supported by the Hungarian-Croatian EE SUN (Energy Efficient Sustainable Urban Neighbourhood) project, which aimed to promote the energy modernization of condominiums. During this process, they prepared the project’s professional studies, namely, the situation analysis based on the survey of nearly 2000 Hungarian and Croatian condominiums, the assessment of the willingness to cooperate and the common methodology of energy modernization, along with participating in the presentation of the results of EE SUN. The project also included pilot projects for 12 South-Transdanubian condominiums, with their energy audits, full energy surveys, taking into account legal, financial and technical solutions and proposals of energy renovation for individual buildings.