Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova and Deputy Mayor Gencho Kerezov visited the kindergarten to check on the project’s implementation.

Two pilot projects of the “Sandbox for Innovation” Initiative have been launched. The decision is to invest in innovative projects to test and validate solutions that can improve the urban environment. Just as an investment fund invests in different companies in order to develop and seek a return on capital, the municipality adopts the same model of work, with the difference that a high social effect is sought. This was shared by Deputy Mayor Gencho Kerezov during the inspection. The first project creates “smart” utilities and cost optimization. It is aimed at increasing energy efficiency and includes the production of “green” energy for own consumption and remote energy monitoring, the so-called “Smart” utilities. The project aims to show how kindergartens can produce environmentally friendly energy, the so-called. “Green” energy from the sun, to meet their own energy needs and control their electricity and water costs remotely.

“Currently, solar panels are being installed on the roof, which will enable the kindergarten to produce electricity for its own needs. With the new photovoltaic system, the kindergarten will be able to produce in an ecological way up to 30% of the required electricity, which will save up to 15 thousand kilowatt hours per year. The expected reduction of CO2 emissions amounts to 11.97 tons per year. Only from the saved funds the investment should be paid off in about 8 years.” Deputy Mayor Gencho Kerezov added. The project is implemented by Energomonitor Bulgaria in cooperation with CEZ Electro Bulgaria.

The other project, which was launched as a pilot, is that the 20 groups of the kindergarten will install devices that measure and show the air quality. The device has indicators for relative humidity, carbon dioxide and the presence of fine dust particles. The electronic “canary”, which the company “Zеck Engineering” has developed, will help both teachers and assistant educators by providing them with information about the state of the air in the bedrooms and study rooms, as well as building habits and attitudes towards the environment of children.