Energy efficiency and increased comfort at Home for Elderly Alba Iulia

By project EXPRESS

Published on 20 February 2025

Romania

Centru

ALBA IULIA

About this good practice

The project was implemented by Alba Iulia Municipality and was based on a study on improving energy efficiency and increasing the use of renewable sources, which would reduce natural gas consumption, proposing a geothermal system with 60 wells at a depth of 120m, 3 reversible heat pumps, a thermal distribution system for heating/cooling based on convectors with ventilation and individual regulation in the rooms, a ventilation system with heat recovery in the activity room and an automation system.
The geothermal system with heat pumps is the first high-power (over 420 KW) implemented locally in a municipal building and, as far as we know, one of the largest in a region characterized by a normal geothermal potential. The completed system includes 80 geothermal wells made at a depth of 102 - 105 m, geothermal collectors coupled through special pipes to 4 storage vessels, coupled to 3 reversible heat pumps, the distribution system made with fan coils controlled for heating/cooling with individual thermostats and a ventilation system with recovery, as well as the auxiliary installations (pumps, expansion vessels, storage tanks, circulation pumps, solenoid valves, heat exchangers, automation).
The project was finalized in April 2024 and is currently functioning.

Expert opinion

This good practice demonstrates successful integration of renewable energy within a social building. The combination of geothermal energy with energy efficiency improvements has impressive results with 75% reduction in natural gas consumption and 60% reduction in energy consumed. In line with the EPBD and EED all European municipalities need to reduce the energy consumption of public buildings and this practice demonstrates well the potential benefits, including improved living conditions of inhabitants.

Simon Hunkin

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

- Experienced designers and contractors for complex projects and installations (drilling, geothermal systems, heat pumps, heating installations, ventilation installations, electrical installations, automation), implementation monitoring with site supervisors;
-Over 1.1 million EUR

Evidence of success

- The project uses multiple energy efficiency solutions and energy production from renewable sources
- Preliminary results demonstrate a major reduction of over 60% in energy consumed (with a reduction of over 75% in gas consumed and a reduced increase in electricity consumption, due to the heat pumps operating in cooling mode in summer)
- The comfort provided to seniors has been greatly improved;
- The building is close to the nZEB class in terms of energy efficiency;