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Description
The Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), a pioneer in rural development and agricultural sciences, with internationally recognized academic and research work, actively participated in the GR-ENERGY Programme. The University aimed to highlight its role in promoting innovation, sustainable development, and energy efficiency, while raising awareness among students, academic staff, and visitors regarding modern Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Energy Saving (ES) technologies.
The interventions focused on two of the most emblematic buildings of the University:
The Library, which serves as a central resource for academic knowledge.
The Roussopoulos Building, which houses lecture halls, classrooms, and laboratories and serves thousands of students.
The objective was to transform these buildings into high energy-efficiency structures, serving both operational and educational roles in advancing green technologies and contributing to Greece’s national energy transition goals for 2030.
Key Interventions:
In the Library Building:
Construction of solar parking spaces equipped with photovoltaic systems (10 kWp total capacity), with charging infrastructure for 10 electric vehicles.
Development of a microgrid, integrating the solar infrastructure with other RES systems via advanced energy management equipment.
Supply of an electric vehicle.
Replacement of conventional lighting with high-efficiency LED luminaires.
In the Roussopoulos Building:
Installation of a Building Energy Management System (BEMS) for optimized monitoring and control.
Replacement of the existing heating system with a modern heat pump and fan coil units for both heating and cooling needs.
Installation of energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the building.
Common Intervention:
Installation of a smart metering system to monitor and analyze energy consumption in real-time.
These interventions create a space with strong innovative character
Summary of project results
The project was completed successfully with no significant implementation challenges, except for a notable increase in the cost of materials and equipment compared to the initial budget estimates. This cost escalation was attributed to the broader energy crisis, which had a widespread impact on construction and energy retrofit pricing across Europe.
As a result, additional financial resources were required in the middle of implementation to fulfill the originally defined targets and commitments of the Project Promoter, as specified in the Inclusion Decision. The issue was formally acknowledged, and a request for additional funding was submitted to secure the achievement of the project''s predefined objectives and performance indicators.
In the end, 100% of the Project’s physical object was completed, following all legal procedures and within the framework of the EEA Grants 2014–2021 programme.
The Project of the Agricultural University of Athens, under the GR-ENERGY Programme, included the following sub-projects:
- Sub-Project 1: Supply and Installation of LED lighting technology in the facilities of AUA for saving energy.
- Sub-Project 2: Supply and installation of innovative energy technologies for Energy Saving.
- Sub-Project 3: Visualisation of the project results through an appropriate measuring system.
- Sub-Project 4: Creation of a Living Lab for the dissemination of the project results.
- Sub-Project 5: Consulting services to support the AUA in the implementation and management of the Project.
- Sub-Project 6: “Supply and installation of local microgrid in the AUA facilities for electricity generation and storage.
In addition, in the context of strengthening the bilateral relations of the Agricultural University of Athens with partners from the Donor Countries, a visit to the premises of the Icelandic National Energy Authority in Reykjavik (Orkustofnun) was carried out in September 2024 to transfer know-how and good practices in the field of green energy transition. Bilateral cooperation actions were carried out and a report was drawn up assessing the know-how transferred and describing specific results and ways of exploitation by the Agricultural University of Athens.
The project has successfully achieved the following outcomes:
- Enhanced thermal comfort and lighting conditions for building users.
- Promotion of sustainable mobility through the introduction of modern technologies in parking areas near the Library.
- Increased use of Renewable Energy Sources (RES), leading to significant energy savings and reduced operational costs in the upgraded buildings.
- Improved environmental performance of the buildings, reflected in lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with their energy consumption.
In conclusion, the project implemented by the Agricultural University of Athens under the GR-ENERGY Programme, targeting the Roussopoulos Building and the University Library, has resulted in a substantial reduction in energy consumption associated with the operation of these facilities. This reduction directly contributes to lowering their overall energy footprint and CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, the installation of an autonomous electric vehicle charging station—powered entirely by a photovoltaic system with a net-zero energy footprint—serves to raise awareness within the University community regarding sustainable mobility practices. The project supports the enhancement of the University’s educational infrastructure, generates operational cost savings, and promotes the integration of advanced green energy transition technologies in the building sector.