SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY

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1 SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY THE PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGY PRODUCES CLEAN ELECTRICITY FROM SOLAR ENERGY 126 m 2 of photovoltaic modules are installed that generate about 12,000 kwh electricity per year, equivalent to the e- lectricity demand for lighting the centre: Photovoltaic modules exposed to solar radiation transform the energy from the sun into electricity, without producing any pollution. The modules last for more than thirty years. They generate more electrical energy than was necessary for their own manufacturing in less than 4 years. 40% of the modules are integrated in the main façade. 60% are located on the roof. The electricity generated is exported to the public grid.

2 SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY THE SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS MAKE USE OF THE SOLAR ENERGY TO HEAT WATER 24 m 2 of solar thermal collectors are installed on the roof. Solar radiation heats a fluid that circulates in the solar thermal collectors. This fluid transports the heat to a storage tank where it is transferred to water to be used in taps or water for the heating system. In this way, two thirds of the domestic hot water to be used in the Centre is heated by the sun, for free and without polluting the environment.

3 THERMAL INSULATION THE THERMAL INSULATION OF THE BUILDING KEEPS IT COOL IN SUMMER AND WARM IN WINTER 6 cm of cork insulation a low environmental impact material are attached to the façades and 10 cm of extruded polystyrene to the roof to reduce the heat transfer. The thermal insulation of the roof, façades and foundations of a building reduces the heat transfer through the envelope. In this way, in winter, the heat inside the building doesn t escape to the exterior, and in summer, the outside heat doesn t enter into the rooms, where you want to stay cool. In both cases, more insulation means less energy is needed to provide a comfortable inside temperature. Double glazing with a special coating for reducing the heat transfer is used. All details of the building are designed to obtain continuity of the insulation.

4 SOLAR PROTECTION THE SOLAR PROTECTION AVOID OVERHEATING OF THE BUILDING IN SUMMER Horizontal lamellas are installed over the interior patio to avoid the excessive entrance of solar radiation through the interior glazed façades. In winter, the solar radiation entering the building through the glazed surfaces can contribute to heat it and therefore to reduce the energy consumption. In summer, shading devices reduce the solar radiation that enters the building, avoiding overheating of the interior and/or the dazzling of people at their working place. Fixed solar protections are used on the main, south-west facing façade: Horizontal protections to avoid overheating at noon and early afternoon. Vertical protections to avoid overheating particularly during late afternoon in summer.

5 WATER MANAGEMENT RAIN WATER HARVESTING CONTRIBUTES TO SAVE THE SCARCE DRINKING WATER Low consumption taps and toilet flush systems are installed. Low consumption taps and toilet flush systems, rainwater harvesting and reuse of the water from taps and showers for the toilet flushes are some systems that allow an efficient use of water. Rain water harvesting and a system to reuse the water from the taps is installed. This water is chemically and mechanically cleaned and stored in a 15,000 litre tank in the basement: litre provide water to the toilet flush systems litre are used for the fire extinction reservoir.

6 LIGHTING ENERGY EFFICIENT DEVICES LIGHT THE SPACES USING VERY LITTLE ELECTRICAL ENERGY A glazed patio provides natural light to the interior spaces and makes artificial lighting unnecessary much of the day. Natural daylight is free, clean and most pleasant. When and where daylighting is not available, low energy devices and intelligent control mechanisms provide artificial lighting, but only when necessary and with very little electric energy consumption. A lighting control system is installed in the waiting rooms. Long life fluorescents with electronic ballast and low energy consumption are installed.

7 VENTILATION THE VENTILATION OF THE SPACES IS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN A GOOD INSIDE AIR QUALITY A system to recover the heat from the exhaust air in winter to preheat the supply air is installed. High ventilation rates are required to guarantee the inside air quality. However, this can lead to unwanted heat losses in winter and heat gains in summer. There are different ways to limit these losses or gains and to reduce the energy consumption to heat or cool this air to the temperature of comfort. The air conditioning system allows free cooling (direct entrance of outside air to the spaces without heating or cooling it) in the intermediate seasons, when the outside air temperature is close to comfort temperature. The ventilation system allows the adjustment of the outside air volume to the demand of every building zone.

8 HEATING AND COOLING HEATING AND COOLING IS THE MAIN ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN BUILDINGS Radiant ceilings are installed throughout the building. They offer improved comfort as they don t produce air flows. Furthermore, they save 25% of energy Highly efficient installations (condensing boilers, geothermal heat pumps, high performance cooling machines, etc.) can produce the necessary heating and cooling for a building and provide domestic hot water using very little energy. compared to conventional systems. An air dehumidifying machine that consumes very little energy, avoids condensations and guarantees the inside air quality was designed especially for the building. Highly energy efficient cooling machines were installed.