Successful energy efficient building renovation at state schools

Dr. Kurt Berlo, Wuppertal Institut for Climate, Environment and Energy, Germany
Dieter Seifried, Büro Ö-quadrat, Germany

Keywords

high efficient technologies, solar energy, Performance Contracting, showcase for sustainability, win-win situation, green investment for public schools

Abstract

The project’s starting point was the thesis, that a large potential to make schools more energy efficient do exists, which could enable economic profits. However the budgetary situation of the local authorities and the existing administrative structure prevented necessary action.

The authors developed the “Solar&Save” concept for realizing the saving potentials in public buildings and proved that the combination of solar energy with energy- and water savings can be economically profitable.

In the meantime, four schools have been retrofitted with energy saving measures and have been equipped with solar PV energy. Besides retrofitting the lighting system by high efficient luminaires and control systems, efficiency improvements have been undertaken for the ventilation, pumps and the heating system. In three schools combined heat and power plants (50 kWelectric) have been installed.

The total investment in the four schools was 3,2 Mio. Euro. Two thirds of the investment came from citizens of the involved cities and other private investors; one third was covered with a loan from the bank.

The return of investment was between 5 and 10 % per year, in two of the schools, and a CO2-reduction of more than 80 % could be achieved.

The pupils and teachers have also been involved in the project and now benefit from its financial success. They are taught about the new efficiency technologies and sustainable energy resources in their schools.

The project could be transferred to other cities in the State and in other European countries.