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Description
The Municipality of Kavala, under the GR-Energy Program, implemented an energy upgrade project for the largest school complex in the Kavala Region, located in the Perigiali district, east of the city. The complex houses the school units: 1st Technical High School, 2nd Evening Technical High School, Evening General High School, and the Laboratory Center. Covering a total area of 10,640 m², the Perigiali school complex accommodates more than 1,600 students.
According to the Energy Performance Certificate prior to the interventions, the building complex was classified in energy category E. An energy study was conducted with the goal of upgrading the complex to energy category B+, which included the enhancement of the building envelope’s thermal performance through the replacement of selected window frames, installation of external thermal insulation, and the addition of external shading devices. Further improvements included the installation of a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery, as well as the integration of renewable energy technologies such as photovoltaic panels, geothermal heat pumps, and air-cooled heat pumps—replacing the previous oil-based heating system.
A key innovation of the project was the upgrade of the heating and cooling system through the installation of a geothermal heat pump with a horizontal heat exchanger, fully eliminating the use of heating oil. In addition, a photovoltaic system was installed on the roof to generate electricity. It is important to note that heating and cooling systems account for approximately 80% of a building’s energy consumption. The combination of geothermal and photovoltaic technologies transforms the building into a Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB), significantly reducing operational costs and dependence on fossil fuels, while improving comfort and service quality.
The upgraded Perigiali school complex now serves as a demonstrative model for sustainable infrastructure within the Municipality of Kavala
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 Municipality of Kavala, under the GR-ENERGY Programme, included the following sub-projects:
- Sub-Project 1: Energy Upgrade Interventions of the Perigiali School Complex in the Municipality of Kavala.
- Sub-Project 2: Provision of Communication and Publicity Services of the Project.
- Sub-Project 3: Provision of ex post Energy Performance Certificate Issuance Services for the Perigiali School Complex of the Municipality of Kavala.
In addition, in the context of strengthening the bilateral relations of the Municipality of Kavala 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 Municipality of Kavala.
The project has successfully achieved the following outcomes:
- Increased awareness among citizens by introducing them to modern green technologies and promoting best practices in building energy upgrades.
- Familiarization of local residents with sustainable development practices, leading to an overall improvement in their quality of life.
- Reduction in CO2 emissions and significant decrease in energy consumption.
- Strengthened partnerships, fostering collaboration and collective action for future sustainability initiatives.
In conclusion, the Project of the Municipality of Kavala in the GR-ENERGY Program at the Perigiali School Complex achieves a reduction in energy consumption for the operation of the buildings and, resulting in a reduction of the building’s energy footprint and CO2 emissions. Therefore, the project contributes to the improvement of the quality of life for the residents of the area, saving resources and creating incentives for modern renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in buildings.