Construction of an energy-efficient kindergarten in Michałowice

By project SIreNERGY

Published on 31 July 2024

Poland

Warszawski stołeczny

About this good practice

Rural areas often have limited access to central energy sources and may be remote from main energy networks. Representatives of the local government, unlike others in the area, expressed interest in pro-environmental solutions and decided to implement them. Residents of the commune are also interested in pro-ecological solutions for their own community. The investment is an example that it is possible to be more energy independent from conventional energy sources, which is important in the event of failures or disruptions in energy supplies, which often occur in rural areas.
The building uses many pro-ecological solutions, including: increased insulation of external partitions, heat pump, ventilation with heat recovery, photovoltaic panels placed on three roofs, the remaining three roofs are green roofs, artificial lighting control (daylight control), LED lighting and an underground rainwater tank used to collect rainwater used for watering greenery. The installations have a module enabling connection to the BMS (Building Management System). It is a building automation system that allows you to monitor and manage all devices and systems located in the building and its surroundings.
Reduction of energy consumption (by 117,699 GJ/year) and increase of electricity and heat production from renewable sources, which allows to reduce the use of conventional energy sources and CO2 emissions by 7.64 tons/year.
Beneficiaries: Residents of the commune.

Resources needed

The project cost almost EURO 5 million, of which EURO 1,1 million was co-financed in the form of a subsidy and a low-interest loan from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.

Evidence of success

In addition to reducing pollutant emissions and effectively managing energy, information about the investment and consultations with the local community in order to gain the acceptance of residents play a major role in this type of investment. This was not easy because the investment was implemented during the covid-19 pandemic. Communication about the investment and conducting consultation processes with the local community took place using electronic communication channels (e-mail, YouTube).

Potential for learning or transfer

Good practice has proven its usefulness on many levels. It led to a reduction in energy consumption in the new kindergarten building compared to the old facility, which resulted in lower maintenance costs of the facility, energy independence, reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and pollutants, i.e. improved air quality in the commune. The project enjoys great interest from residents, which resulted in the popularization of environmentally friendly technologies. As a result of these activities, another energy-efficient kindergarten is being built in the commune. Investments in renewable energy contribute to increasing the attractiveness of rural areas, help prevent population migration to cities, and even attract new residents and enterprises to rural areas, which may contribute to their development. Such projects are demonstrators of new technologies and encourage the local community to implement this type of solutions on a larger scale.