All FUTURA Group companies have always been committed to reducing environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions from production cycles. For this reason they created the project “Sustainability” for the Verbania headquarters (Fondotoce), where the Group’s real estate company REL (www.relimmobiliare.it), is a shareholder.
The aim of the project is to completely transform the use of energy in the building, by intervening in the reduction of consumption, by using renewable resources to replace fossil energy and by integration with the surrounding business community.
The project was different compared to the pre-existing set-up. It was drawn up to cover various stages with an intervention strategy looking at each type of energy system:
- a photovoltaic system of about 110 kwp on the roof of the building, which will produce 120,000 kWh per year, thanks to a non-invasive installation technique, based on the construction of a weighted and low-inclination structure to support about 300 photovoltaic modules, which meant minimum work on the existing roof;
- a new thermal plant with latest generation Hoval Ultragas 2D 700 kwt boilers, equipped with a “condensation” thermal recovery system for high efficiency;
- heat pumps in addition to the new thermal power plant, in order to exploit the energy produced by photovoltaics to provide air conditioning in the building;
- charging points for electric vehicles, serving the Group’s cars and those in the surrounding area;
- latest generation supervision and control system, to verify all the energy complex and its parameters. This system will modulate the production and distribution of energy within the perimeter area in relation to the current energy market conditions; it will interface with the attendance tracking systems inside the building, using energy only when necessary; the system will also monitor vehicle charging devices.
The project is financed by ESCO CO-VER Power Technology. Total investment is about 500,000 euros and it was developed by Encore, a FUTURA Group company specialized in the design of photovoltaic systems, and CO-VER Engineering, which took care of the plant design, construction and installation of the first two stages.
Teamwork and the quality of the design and programming, made it possible to finish laying the panels and replacing the old thermal plant during the summer season so energy recovery could start as soon as possible.
Compared to the past situation, even after only the first two stages and considering the same climatic conditions, this project will reduce CO2 emissions for electricity consumption by about 300 kg/year, and heating consumption by around 25/30%.
In addition to achieving important environmental and sustainability objectives on its premises, the “Sustainability” project also foresees an important integration with the surrounding area. It will guarantee vehicle charging points and the introduction of a “Renewable Energy Community” (CER), which will share its benefits with neighbouring members.
A real pilot project that represents the energy laboratory of the Group. We will keep you updated on both the goals we achieve and on future developments.
