STREAMLINING ENERGY MANAGEMENT IN ROMANIAN SCHOOLS BY IMPLEMENTING PHOTOVOLTAIC AND SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY SYSTEMS.

The current energy situation in most Romanian schools is unsatisfactory. Energy consumption and hence the depletion of financial resources are high due to the existence of obsolete central heating systems or to their inefficient use as well as to the upward trend in energy prices that are a threat to the budget of these schools. All these impediments can be counterbalanced by implementing renewable energy solutions in line with the strategy and policies of the European Union. In order to improve the energy management in Romanian schools, we propose the implementation of photovoltaic and solar thermal energy systems, which provide electricity and hot water. Photovoltaic and solar thermal energy systems enable significant financial savings and even additional income, considerable energy freedom, high user comfort while protecting the environment and, therefore, are a modern solution that could be widely implemented either individually or through a national programme in Romania schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]