The winners of the National Contest "Renewable Energy Sources" were awarded

65 young people from 32 schools presented their works before the jury on May 26-27. Eleven of the projects, including the Grand Prix and special award, obtained the maximum score and were declared the winners:

• Grand Prix: Micro-hydropower and wind turbine generating electricity", Ion Ursu and Ion Mereacre, Costesti high school, Ialoveni.
• 1st place: Electro-thermal power plant producing renewable energy ", Andrei Lupasco and Dumitru Burlacu, Constantin Stere high school, Soroca.
• 1st place: "Production of biodiesel and soap from roasted oil", Petronela Ciobanu and Olivia Enache, Nicoreni high school, Drochia.

Each winner received a diploma and a cash prize, awarded by the Ministry of Education.

Petronela Ciobanu and Olivia Enache from Nicoreni, Drochia are among the winners of the green energy contest. They have won this title thanks to the project for recycling oil used in cooking. "Frying oil causes corrosion of sewer systems. That's why it's important not to throw it after use. It can be transformed into biodiesel, and out of the remaining dry wastes soap or decofrant can be made, a material used to mold building blocks", say the project’s authors who, in team with their teacher, have convinced an economic agent to launch a initiative to collect used cooking oil in Drochia district.

Most schools participating in the contest are beneficiaries of the Energy and Biomass Project, connected to biomass heating systems due to European investments, and their curriculum includes renewable energy subject.

“The young generation can bring about change and help with its own beliefs and lifestyles to rationally consume energy and harness the natural energy resources to live in a cleaner environment. We are impressed of the large number of works and, in particular, the multitude of innovative solutions, prototypes of equipment that produce green energy, "says Lina Acalugaritei, training and education specialist, Energy and Biomass Project.

The Ministry of Education has launched the "Renewable Energy Sources" national contest to promote and motivate young people with innovative solutions for green energy use and environmental protection. "Due to this course students learn about the importance of rational use of energy resources for the purpose of protecting and preserving the environment. During the contest the participants demonstrated creativity and remarkable skills in the development, presentation and promotion of renewable energy sources project models," said Mariana Goras, Deputy Head of the Pre-University Education Department, Ministry of Education.

Since 2011, the renewable energy and energy efficiency subject has been taught in all communities, which connected their schools and kindergartens to biomass heating systems under the "Energy and Biomass" Project. In 2013, the Ministry of Education included this course in the list of optional subjects. So far, over 21,000 students have learned in school what renewable energy is and how energy can be produced from the sun, wind, water, and biomass.

The Energy and Biomass Project, second phase, is a three-year project implemented in 2015-2017. The project has a total budget of EUR 9.41 million granted by the European Union and is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme. It continues the activities of the first project phase, implemented in 2011-2014, with a total budget of EUR 14.56 million, provided by the European Union (EUR 14 million) and UNDP (EUR 560,000).