Environmental research

Children`s Rehabilitation and Recreation Center Nadeshda is a sanatorium-and-spa institution where annually more than 5,000 children who live in areas contaminated with radionuclides from Chernobyl improve their health. Since the very beginning of its operation it s purposefully worked to ensure that its business activities are being implemented on the principles of sustainable development. Nadeshda uses two types of fuel to obtain thermal energy: stove fuel ( 180 thousands of liters per year) and firewood (870 cubic meters per year). In order to reduce the consumption of hydrocarbon fuels and, consequently, decrease CO2 emissions, the use of solar energy is considered. Within the implementation of Planning Grant BLR/SGP/OP5/CORE/CC/12/03 Exploring the use of solar energy in CRRC Nadeshda the project solution was prepared on installation of solar collector plant with a capacity of 1080 kW/m2 on the roof of a wood stock of a boiler house to transfer thermal energy to the overall Center s heat network. The planned installation will annually save 35-40 thousand liters of stove fuel, which is 15% of used stove fuel today, and, accordingly, reduce CO2 emissions by 75 tons per year. Despite the considerable work done by Children`s Center "Nadeshda" for the development of renewable and alternative energy sources, there is still sizeable reserve for substitution of conventional energy use by more environmental friendly. Besides technical and resource-saving issues, the ones concerned with environmental education are major focus of educational work with children where children become familiar with the objects of the Centre, including the boiler, the biological purification plant, a solar collector, as well as acquire practical skills on environment conservation and protection. As a result, these children will spread out the ideas of sustainable development and consumption among their families and friends. The widening of solar energy use opportunities will enhance demonstration and educational aspects of Center Nadeshda and become an example of effective participation of organization in public awareness rising on the climate change issues.

Belarus