Energy-environmental strategies

The design of the new Waterfront of Genoa aims not only to redevelop and revitalize this part of the city, but also to improve the environmental characteristics of the site. In this respect, it will be necessary to adopt an energy strategy that achieves the objectives set by the European Union (Directive 202020) and adopted by Italy and the PEAR (Regional Environmental Energy Plan) for 2020 (20% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to 1990).

The analysis of the microclimate of the area guides the energy and environmental strategies to reduce the impact of the intervention and improve the levels of comfort both inside and outside the buildings.

The area under consideration is characterized by some particularly significant elements in  environmental terms:

  • the sea
  • the port and the breakwater
  • the presence of a road artery, both at grade and on the elevated viaduct, which is an important urban axis
  • the local landforms, with a marked difference in level between the city and the sea
  • the presence of existing activities such as the tourist port and the shipyards.

 

Energy strategy

Since this is a proposal with established activities and new ones envisaged, the energy strategy that has been outlined provides specific solutions that will be the subject of future evaluation.

The design of the building work will have to optimize the following factors:

  • external insulation
  • shading systems
  • natural ventilation
  • heat recovery from mechanical ventilation
  • natural lighting.

The design envisages the development of new buildings with their principal fronts facing south, allowing for optimum use of solar irradiation in winter and easy control of it in summer.

The use of vegetation on vertical walls and pools of water proposed on the roofing will reduce the impact of solar irradiation.

Natural ventilation, also guaranteed during the summer by winds from the southeast, will help increase comfort in the outdoor spaces and can be used to reduce the need for summer air conditioning of the buildings.

One of the main features of the proposed energy strategy is that it is a flexible solution that can be refined and perfected as the project develops.

Renewable energy sources

It is planned to adopt the following renewable technologies, principally electrical, to cover the consumption associated with heat pumps, control gear and lighting:

  • photovoltaic solar panels: to be installed both on new roofs and on existing ones
  • wind turbines: by technical feasibility tests it is proposed to install them on the breakwater to reduce the visual and acoustic impact.

With the production of hot water through heat pumps and cogeneration, the use of solar panels for the production of DHW (domestic hot water) could be avoided. Their use can be considered for residential buildings.

 

Hydric strategy

Rainwater

Rainwater will be collected and reused.
In particular:

  • rainwater from primary runoff from paved surfaces will be treated and reused in the production processes that permit it
  • rainwater from secondary runoff and the water collected from roofs and external routes will be filtered and reused for irrigation, production processes and cleaning.

The storage systems will be appropriately dimensioned on the basis of ​​rainfall data for the area, also to cover the rainfall peaks and avoid discharging untreated water into the sea.

A positive impact on the quality of the seawater is represented by the opening of an urban-canal along the coast that will improve the circulation of still water inside the breakwater. Given the complexity of the subject, the modelling of the currents will be necessary in order to assess their impact, and where necessary to supplement them with forced circulation systems. The generation of electricity from renewable sources or high efficiency systems (CHP) will help supply the electricity requirements of these systems.

Greywater
Greywater from sinks, wash basins, showers, and non-harmful forms of production will be collected, treated and reused.