AUSTRIAN ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERT GROUP


 

 

SUMMARY OF PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN CENTRAL AND EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES FROM 1992 - 2001

 

 

Project Country: Albania
Project Location: Durres
Period: 1992 - 1994

Project Description: In the World Bank Project "Durres Water Supply Rehabilitation Project" AEEG was awarded the consultancy contract to support the Ministry of Construction. It astutely balanced (and solved) the economic and administrative questions resulting from this project with the need to represent the World Banks´ interests. AEEG´s functions comprised:

* Evaluation of bids
* Financial administration
* Contract preparation
* Reporting
* Solution of problems between Government, World Bank, Contractors and Consultants
* Instalment of a national PMU
* etc.
 
AEEG´s strength lied within its trouble shooting, its close work with the management of the Durres Waterworks and with the authorities in the Ministry of Construction. AEEG made itself familiar with the technical and financial situation of the waterworks, the state budget in regard to the waterworks and handling of the entire project documentation.
 
 

 Project Country: Czech Republic
 Project Location: South Moravia
 Period: 1992 - 1994
 
Objectives: Work out fundamentals for the planned emergency response and information system for the river system of March and Thaya in the Czech Republic. The results will be used as a critical assessment base for the planned "catastrophe early warning and information system". Monitoring the water quality of the two rivers with a continuous supervision by a "territorial responsible" Povodi Moravy (Water Authority for South Moravia) will ensure excesses of defined limits will be detected in time to enable countermeasures to be made. Potential sewage accidents can be anticipated much earlier.
 
Project description: The Project was divided into 3 parts. The first part consisted of an analytical programme: analysis of the status quo water situation, with an assessment of the pollution by "inhabitants equal value". The data was based on the years 1991/1992. The recording of the polluters was limited to sewage from that of  industry, other business and households. Pollution through agriculture was not registered, as data was not reliable.
 
The second part formed the structural planning of a modern automatic water quality monitoring system containing an emergency response system, storage ponds and a water quality measuring network. Several measuring stations have been planned on several levels:

* Measuring stations for continuous registration of the "classical" parameters: pH-value, temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, muddiness.
* As above, but additionally the using of a sample collector for taking out mixed and incident samples.
* As above, but additionally registering one or two more parameters.
* Sample collectors which continuously take out samples for testing in a laboratory (in cases of excesses of the limit samples they can be used as an evidence)
 
The concept for implementation was developed on a step by step basis. The concept contained an overview over the water pollutants, a determination of parameters recommended to be measured with the system, a comparison of the technical equipment offered on the market, a profile of the requirements of the hardware and software for the central station and the individual measuring stations, and also the criteria for selecting the locations of the stations.Resultingly, the concept also included a calculation of the costs. The second part also contained an overview of the existing security and storage equipment and an improvement plan for the existing equipment.
 
In the 3rd part of the project an expansion plan in 3 stages (on the basis of the 1st and 2nd part) was worked out for 2 possible dimensions: a maximum variant and a minimum variant.

With the maximum variant  (33 measuring points) the monitoring of potential water polluters with an active reaction upon incidents being possible. In the case of realizing the minimum variant (23 measuring points) the monitoring of the main potential water polluters being provided, but there is no possibility of an active reaction.
 
Services rendered: Hydrological Survey, Sector Study, Regional Development Plan, Project Identification Study, Disaster/Emergency Planning, Feasibility Study, Financial Study, Environmental Study, Information System and Computer Processing, Management Advisory Services, Management Studies
 
 

 Project Country: Albania
 Project Location: Tirana
 Period: 1993 - 1995
 
Project Description: AEEG was among one of the first western consulting groups to work with this department of the Albanian Ministry. From 1993 AEEG was for two years the technical advisor to the Albanian Ministry of Construction. Among the many things AEEG developed for and in conjunction with the Ministry were
 
 * a complete Albanian Water Law including a model for the calculation of a modern  decentralised water pricing system
 * a proposal for the introduction of a decentralised water management system making  the waterworks more independent from government
 * a basic survey on the technical and financial situation of the biggest 40 Albanian  waterworks
 * a proposal for the privatization of communal enterprises especially, for that of the  sewage and water industry
 
AEEG worked very closely with the minister, the vice minister and the advisor to the current minister who was then the former vice minister.
 
   Project Country: Czech Republic
 Project Location: Ostrava
 Period: 1993 - 1995
 
Objectives: Assessment of environmental situation in the area. Environmental audit of the steel plant, clean technology programmes in the steel plant and work shop.
 
Project description: From 1993 to 1995 AEEG undertook an Environmental Audit for the Nova Hut steelworks in Ostrava. AEEG was supported by consulting companies, specialized in metallurgy and analysis. The project had been initiated by the "UNIDO - Clean Technology Programme" from 1989 and the "UNIDO - Czech - Joint Programme for Cooperation, Metallic Industries". The task was to assess the environmental situation in the heavily polluted area where two huge steel works and a pit coal plant were both responsible for the area's bad emissions. The emission load of the Nova Hut steel plant was determined and actions to improve the situation were worked out (including cost estimations). The technical and scientific work was accompanied by two special training programmes through which  key personnel were trained in new technologies.
 
Services rendered: Resources Survey, Sector Study, Regional Development Plan, Market Study, Technical Study, Environmental Study, Technical Assistance, Product and Production Technology, Training and Transfer of Technology
 
   ("Umweltinitiative Südmähren")
 Project Country: Czech Republic
 Project Location: South Moravia
 Period: 1994 - 1997
 
Objectives: The aim of this project was to improve the environmental situation in the region with special emphasis on the reduction of air pollution by means of an optimal input of energy.
 
Project description: The project-area stretched from Brno-Town southwards to the Austrian border and contained seven counties with 1.2 m inhabitants. The "Environmental Action Plan" consisted of the following four main parts:

1. Emission inventory,
2. Emission climatology together with consultations for an imission survey,
3. Environmental Audits in selected industies of the region,
4. Overall plan and concept for energy conservation for the region.
 
The project not only offered advancement through a technical and scientific combination but also through that of a political component. Its success was to a great extent depending on the good and co-operative contacts to local authorities whose wishes and proposals were taken into account.
 
In order to gain a balanced view of the current environmental situation, first of all the stock-taking of the air emissions were subdivided into the sectors "industry", "power plants", "infrastructure", and "households". Existing data of the Czech "REZZO" inventories was checked and "EDABA" (emission data basis) was utilized that is in itself similar and compatible to the expanding data base already existing in Lower Austria. Ultimately, the basis of the redevelopment scheme will be the achievement of fuel specific distinction and subdivision by power capacity.
 
Emissions in the region were recorded by means of the existing air-quality measuring system of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Furthermore, AEEG assisted with the building up of a new air-quality system for Brno-Town that is to be under the control of the local environmental authority.
 
Another major aim was to carry out environmental audits of selected industries in the region. The audits were to cover several companies, namely an aluminium smelting plant, a foundry, a glass works, a mechanical engineering firm, a textile company, a timber company and an industrial pig-breeding company.
 
Several benefical training programs in Brno and Vienna were organized on behalf of the city and the six regional councils in and around Brno.
 
To complete the final overall plan AEEG calculated the current energy-balance of the region. Public relations activities were designed and implemented to raise the public consciousness on environmental questions.
 
Services rendered: Sector Study, Regional Development Plan, Environmental Study, Training and Transfer of Technology, Project Identification Study, Planning Study, Production Technology, Plant Rehabilitation, Local Community Involvement.
 
 

 Project Country: Albania
 Project Location: Vlora, Elbasan, Fier
 Period: 1995
 
Objectives: Assessment of the water supply utilities of the cities Vlora, Elbasan, Fier
 
Project description: On behalf of the World Bank AEEG effected a detailed assessment of the water supply utilities of the cities of Vlora, Elbasan and Fier. This assessment now forms the basis for further World Bank programmes in this part of Albania.
 
Services rendered: Sector Study, Project Identification Study
 
  Objectives: Training of key personnel in the Albanian water industry
Project description: A one week seminar in Austria for key personnel of the Albanian water industry.
Services rendered: Training and Technology Transfer, Human Resources Development
 
  Objectives: Export of Services
Project description: On Behalf of a private company in the waste industry AEEG successfully negotiated a contract with the City of Tirana. AEEG also initiated an information campaign for the citizens.
Services rendered: Sector Study, Project Management/Administration, Market Study
 
  Objectives: Export
Project description: On behalf of an international private investor in the construction industry AEEG carried out a detailed market study. This contained an overview of the current economic situation in Albania and a suitable market strategy for introducing a product on the Albanian market. Following this AEEG was contracted to found an affiliated company to build up the sales organization and to recruit and manage the office personnel and the sales force.
Services rendered: Sector Study, Project Management/Adminstration, Market Study
 
  Objectives: Detailed Study/Report on the Durres Water Supply Situation in order to identify the need for further investments.
Project description: On behalf of a foreign governmental organisation AEEG carried out a detailed study on the condition of the water supply system in the Durres area of Albania (current works, further investments, its administrative framework and the possibilities for improving the situation).
Services rendered: Sector Study, Project Identification Study
 
  Objectives: Detailed Study/Report on the condition of the Tirana Sewerage System in order to identify areas needing investment.
Project description: On behalf of a foreign governmental organisation AEEG carried out a study on the sewerage system of Tirana which reported on the present state of the system.This specifically on its administrative framework with suggested recommendations for improving the whole system.
Services rendered: Sector Study, Project Identification Study
 
  Brno, Czech Republic: January, 1996

Project description: Data exchange and information seminar on behalf and in conjunction with the Czech technicians representing the City Council of Brno.
Services rendered: Training and Technology Transfer, Human Resources Development
 
 

Brno, Czech Republic: March, 1996

Project description: Seminar for key personnel of chosen companies regarding eco-auditing.
Services rendered: Training and Technology Transfer, Human Resources Development
 
 

Vienna, Austria: March, 1996

Project description: Seminar for key personnel of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute in Prague and Brno. The Seminar organized and executed by AEEG in cooperation with the local government of Lower Austria and the Austrian Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics.
 
Services rendered: Training and Technology Transfer, Human Resources Development
 
 

Seminar: April 24 - 25, 1996 - Tirana

Objectives: Training of key personnel in the Albanian water industry
A two day seminar for key personnel in the Albanian water industry. Its administrative framework was organized together with the Albanian Ministry of Construction and the Albanian Academy of Sciences. In order to increase the local involvement in the seminar it was so arranged that each of the four Austrian qualified experts had at least one Albanian counterpart designated as a co-speaker to answer and speak on topical questions and problems. Around one hundred and twenty people participated in the seminar.
 
Services rendered: Training and Technology Transfer, Human Resources Development
 
 

 Project Country: Czech Republic
 Project Location: Jihlava
 Period:       June to October 1996
 
Objectives: Screening of two plants with regard to production`s general environmental impacts with focus on specific questions of "air-pollution"
 
Project description: Employing 1265 people and an output of 3.8 m units, Bohemia is one of the largest Czech industrial producers. The environmental audit was part of the "Environmental Action Plan for South Moravia". Analyses of exhaust fumes were carried out as well as an assessment of waste materials. In order to do so, both existing data and own calculations and analyses were taken into account. Energy flow and material flow were assessed. Special attention was given to the main air-pollution sources in the glass industry. Specifically in its drying plant, smelting furnaces, tempering furnaces, boiler and facilities for lustring.
 
   Project Country: Czech Republic
 Project Location: Namest nad Oslavou
 Period:       June to October 1996
 
Objectives: Environmental Audit with the main emphasis on "air-quality"; advisory on conservation of energy and management of waste.
 
Project description: At present DOWO are the premier manufacturers of double plush rugs and carpets in the Czech Republic. With the support of the DOWO management, a screening took place of the plant in the areas concerning

* waste/waste management/sewage
* energy

The management of waste was examined for better utilization of waste materials. The investment project with regard to the energy supply of the plant was checked for technical flows and rationalized for effiency.
 
 

 Project Country: Czech Republic
 Project Location: Znojmo
 Period:       June to October 1996

Objectives: Completion of an Environmental Audit with a focus on "air-quality"; advisory on adapting the existing boiler-system.

Project description: Employing 1200 people the plant produces 1.4 m pairs of shoes a year. Part of its production relies upon commission orders from western european clients.

In order to make out the ecological balance in the field of "air-quality" the sewing department, the sole production and the glueing department were analyzed with special attention to the air quality problems of the plant. Specifically the level of diffuse emissions (particularly of VOC) due to the production process had to be investigated. Additionally, expert advisory was given on the existing energy-system including proposals for its optimization.
 
 

 Project Country: Czech Republic
 Project Location: Brno mesto
 Period:       June to October 1996

Objectives: Environmental Audit with the emphasis on ìair-qualityî; reduction of potentially harmful emissions.

Project description: The secondary aluminum-smelting plant deals with the trade and processing of metallic waste. The origin of this waste is mainly the by-product of Czech industrial activity. The main focus of the Audit was on the smelting furnaces, exhaust gas filter, and the depository holding the the raw materials:

The utilized raw and auxiliary materials were registered and the ecologically harmless depository assessed. Precautions were taken and double-checked to avoid and reduce threats to air-quality with the safe disposal of refuse and sewage. Also neccessary was an assessment on water-management, energy consumption, and quality assurance systems.
 
 

 Project Country: Czech Republic
 Project Location: Dubnany
 Period:       June to October 1996

Objectives: Environmental Audit with the emphasis on "air quality". Recovery concept for a persisting  liquid manure pond. Reorientation of management to deal with the semi-liquid manure in regard to economical and ecological criteria.

Project description: GIGANT is among the largest pig fattening industries in the Czech Republic.
Within the Environmental Audit, emissions due to raising of livestock were investigated and possibilities put forward for reducing the local air pollution of ammonia. GIGANT a former state-owned industry was privatized and divided into several independent businesses. However from this state-ran industry remained a gigantic liquid manure pond which urgently had to be sanitized for reasons of water safety.

Following with the sanitization of the sewage pond came the need of solving of the problems concerning drinking water and utilization water. Thus resource-circles were documented and assessed on ecological criteria and the fertilizer-management system (on basis of semi liquid manure) analyzed and weak spots pointed out.

Services rendered: technical and ecological study; concept for sanitization of liquid manure pond; financial concept; concept for  new management techniques in dealing with semi liquid manure; proposals for the raising of the energy efficiency.
 
 

 Project Country: Czech Republic
 Project Location: Jihlava
 Period:       June to October 1996

Objectives: Environmental Audit with the emphasis on air quality; seeking solutions to dust and odour problems

Project description: The  company employs 850 people and is one of the main economies of the region.
 
Part of the Environmental Audit were of stock and facilities for cutting, facilities for drying, the lines for chipboard production, boilers and the door production including the enamelling line. Checkpoints of the analysis were the state of the technology, the ecological impact of the production and the compatibility of plant and actual needs. Also included was the treatment  and utilization of waste and residual materials.
 
 

 Project Country: Czech Republic
 Project Location: Brno mesto
 Period:       June to October 1996

Objectives: Environmental Audit with the main emphasis on "air-quality"; optimization of production processes.

Project description: The company was founded in 1886 and specializes in production of grey iron and malleable cast iron. A great part of it its production is for customers in western countries.

The functional areas "smelting furnaces", "reheating furnaces", "sand plant and depository", and "core moulding" were analyzed and checked for weak points and possibilities for improvements. Analyses included the investigation into facilities for treating and the drawing off of emissions. The material-flow and energy-flow were also examined for possibilities towards optimization.
 
 

 Project Country: Czech Republic
 Project Location: Brno venkov
 Period:       June to October 1996

Objectives: Environmental Audit with the emphasis on "air quality"; reduction of the emissions from the energy system and the paint shop.

Project description: The range of production stretches from milling machines to production of special parts (e.g. spindles,...), to final assembly and varnishing for external customers.

The Environmental Audit was structured around the different production lines: light mechanical engineering (turning on a lathe, milling, grinding, surface treatment, hardening) heavy mechanical production (processing of iron parts, and different prefabricated parts), and the areas of assembly, electrical equipment prduction, and the paint shop. Following in line with the objectives of the audit, analyses focused on the energy supply to the facilities, the paint shop, and production lines. More specifically the supply to the later as this was the main source of emissions.

The audit also dealt with issues of organization of environmental conservation, internal security measures, and labor safety and protection.

Services rendered: technical and ecological study; solutions for reducing the emissions of the various sectors of production.
 

Objectives: Assistance and implementation of a privatization strategy for the provision of water supply in Tirana. Increase of efficiency of operation and development of the city's water supply system; increase of consumer willingness to pay through the provision of higher quality; more responsive service; mobilisation of best available managerial and technical know-how.

Project description: AEEG is partner of an international consortium that has undertaken the  above objectives. AEEG´s main working part consists of the technical analyses of the Tirana waterworks including an evaluation of equipment and an estimation of investment needs. Moreover, AEEG contributes by assessing a system of prequalification of potential strategic investors. This by working out a tariff structure, contracting strategic investors, and  development of human resources.
 

Project description: This UNDP Project contains consultancy services for the Albanian Government to enable Albania to prepare its First National Communication (FNC) in response to its commitments to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climatic Change).
 
  Project Country: Austria
Project Location: East Austria, in particular the province of Lower Austria, as well as the provinces of Vienna and Burgenland and the neighbouring regions of South Moravia, South Bohemia (Czech Republic), West Slovakia (Slovak Republic) and West Hungary (Hungary).
Period: 1999 - 2001

Project Description: Reduction of air pollution and energy consumption. To tackle and overcome - by means of transnational co-operation - existing imbalances in the border regions and resulting consequences for spatial planning perspectives. The project should further constitute a supporting factor to the Central European Countries in their approximation process to EU membership. Being in charge of the overall management of the project, AEEG is responsible - inter alia - for:

* the organisation of training courses and working groups at both national and international levels;
* the setting up of a pollution monitoring internet platform;
* the establishment of regional emission and energy consumption balances of different types;
* the identification of suitable/feasible methods and measures to improve the air pollution situation and to improve co-ordination of information exchange on major cross-border emitters including environmental audits of "hot-spot emitters.
 
 


 

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