14/12/2007

Given the dramatic drop in global reserves of conventional energy sources in recent years, the impact it will have on the quality of life and the environment in the near future is clear. Building consumption of thermal energy is one of the most important parameters in this problem, since most buildings - either due to their age or the construction method employed - waste significant amounts of energy.

The e-Thermal Energy Saving System developed by the Greek company Energy-Sp, is based on the innovative P-BEDS method and utilises modern ICTs while also constructively contributing to the ongoing training of researchers and engineers and educating pupils in school and students. It is a method that analyzes the energy behaviour of heat production units and buildings, and is based on measurable data. The system comprises three modules:

The e-Thermal Energy Saving System in Buildings focuses on: a) identifying the target building (buildings with high thermal energy consumption), recording the building?s energy indicators, and energy-mapping the buildings with a comprehensive diagnostic system for engineers; b) rationally managing energy in terms of building thermal load, user thermal comfort and autonomy in heated areas; and c) supervising building and thermal energy production energy performance.

The e-Thermal Energy Saving System in Building Chains refers to groups of buildings (such as several buildings belonging to one organisation or buildings located in the same area, for example). As part of this module, the energy information recorded by the e-Energy Saving System in Buildings for each building is processed and benchmarked by special software. Based on these results, the buildings receive an energy classification and priorities and interventions can then be ranked.

Lastly, the e-Thermal Energy Training System in Buildings allows users to monitor the energy behaviour of buildings and thermal energy production units or carry out real experiments or tests over the internet. System users could be pupils, students or researchers and various language options are available. The system can be installed in a building regardless of its use and be utilised in building facilities or even operate on a stand-alone basis as an e-Energy School where the facilities, structural, mechanical and environmental spaces are reconstructed so that all or part of them can be immediately replaced.

The e-Energy School can be used as a testing site for structural materials and electromechanical appliances which manufacturers can install for a specific time period to record and assess their energy behaviour. At the same time, the e-Energy School can be used by researchers to study the energy behaviour of a building in relation to the climate and the building's microclimate.

According to Spyros Prevezanos, Managing Director of Energy-Sp, the e-Thermal Energy Saving System and its modules constitute a complete, reliable diagnostic tool whose value has been demonstrated with measurable data on the buildings where it was implemented. It can be applied to any type of building that uses a heat production unit (homes, offices, hotels, industrial buildings, etc.) and can be utilised by various groups of users (the state, municipalities, private individuals) while also contributing to a drastic reduction in energy consumption, to environmental protection, to a better understanding of energy behaviour in buildings and to a re-adjustment in the focus of energy services.

The P-BEDS method has already been implemented in more than 300 buildings in Greece and America and has won important awards. Anyone interested can visit the website for more information about the energy-saving system and view a demo of the application.

Source: Energy SP