Energy Costs Division and Plant Modification in a Large Research Complex: the Experience of Padova National Research Council (CNR) Area

The CNR area was built in the 1970s in Padova (Italy): many buildings hosting different Institutes are served by the central heating and cooling system and a common Medium and Low voltage supply. Costs division criteria, mainly based on the number of personnel units and the size of buildings of each Institute, were used in the past; due to current high costs of energy, these criteria have been revised and based on more objective parameters. This paper deals with the methods that have been studied to reduce thermal and cooling energy consumption, based on the operative conditions of buildings and specific characteristics of area HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) plants. As a result of this optimization, some plant modifications have been evaluated and implemented. The results of new plant configuration and energy consumption are presented and discussed.