The elements that highlight the innovation of the project are:
- Insulation of the building envelope: Building envelope insulation as a single technology is widespread and used in a large number of buildings. However, the combination of thermal insulation with other building interventions creates a highly efficient mix. The installation of thermal insulation in combination with the installation of a BEMS system creates multiple benefits to the building and maximizes energy savings.
- Replacement of luminaires with LED technology: Τhe installation of LED lighting technology in the Cultural Centre offers a new organizational method of lighting for cultural activities and events and also offers additional innovative functions compared to conventional lighting, such as the efficient use of luminaires through the BEMS system.
- Installation of BEMS: BEMS systems can contribute to the comprehensive mapping of the energy performance of a building, as they record all energy consumptions in real time. This technology is highly innovative, as it allows the building manager to identify wasteful energy consumption, to adjust and automate the operation of the heating/cooling systems and generally to optimize demand based on the use of the building in order to reduce energy consumption and costs.
- Energy frames: The technology of energy frames includes thermal break aluminium profiles and low-e energy glazing. Thermal break is important when it comes to metal framing systems as it blocks and stops the flow of heat, keeping the space at the desired temperatures. Low-E coatings have been developed to minimize the amount of ultraviolet and infrared radiation that can pass through the glass without affecting the amount of light transmitted. With this technology, frames can achieve U-values as low as under 1, offering energy savings to the building, reduced air conditioning/heating costs, resistance to extreme weather conditions, low air permeability and sound insulation.
- Solar shelters with Photovoltaics: Solar shelters will be installed in a circular shape, which will include benches, tables, etc. underneath, so that families of the Municipality, as well as individual citizens, can use the space for recreation. Through this intervention, a common Renewable Energy technology, such as Photovoltaics, is used in an innovative way, thus creating an innovative and improved product.
- Solar charging stations for electric vehicles: in order to increase the purchase and use of electric cars, the charging infrastructure needs to be established first. The electricity generated by photovoltaic systems can either be stored in batteries and used by the electric vehicles and the building, which becomes autonomous, or can be offered to the grid and used for net-metering. In the case of public buildings, net-metering is the most appropriate method, as in this way the photovoltaic systems, wherever they are located, can cover the electricity bills of the municipal buildings.
- Demonstrative small-scale installation of RES: The above 2 interventions will be combined with the installation of a small-scale, but fully functional photovoltaic installation of 1 kWp. The innovative character of this intervention lies in its educational purpose, as the results collected from the BEMS system and the metering equipment installed at the Cultural Centre (energy meters, weather station, etc.) will be projected in a specially designed room of the Cultural Centre, where educational seminars on solar energy technologies will be organized, mainly addressed to children.
