CASE STUDY LEAF COMMUNITY: THE FIRST ECO-SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY IN ITALY The first eco-sustainable community in Italy is the ambitious project located on the of the Esino river, in Angeli di Rosora (Ancona). Its name is (Life Energy and Future) : a real embryo of a smart city, where you can move with electrical vehicles recharged by eco-stations and with buildings called and . The former is a prototype of a class A+ industrial plant, dedicated to experimentation and professional training of young people, the latter is an example of residential construction where maximum comfort is provided with the use of the best sustainable technologies, from photovoltaics to geothermal pumps and mini hydroelectric power plants built along the nearby river. banks Leaf Community Leaf Lab Leaf House A Net Zero Energy Solar Building The is an example of a , , a building that produces almost all the primary energy it needs during a year. The house, with 472m² net conditioned floor area, is located at an altitude of 130m above sea level. The climate is mild, with a mean annual temperature of 15.8°C, a mean humidity of 68% and a mean horizontal solar radiation of 302W/m². The building produces energy from renewable sources (photovoltaic system, solar thermal panels, geothermal heat pump, hydrogen) with the aim of covering its annual energy needs. Here are two examples: Leaf House NZESB Net Zero Energy Solar Building : 7 thermal panels, covering a surface of 15m², provide for the DHW need. In the first year of monitoring, the thermal collectors covered total domestic hot water need by 63%, providing 4,227kWh, out of 6,388kWh. Domestic hot water : it is carried out by a geothermal heat pump with three vertical reaching 100 m under the ground, where the average temperature is 12 - 14°C. The Coefficient Of Performance (COP) is 4.6. The Air Treatment Unit (ATU) is provided with batteries for the heat exchange. Different sensors systems measure the presence of carbon dioxide: if the CO₂ is more than a user-defined value, the ATU is automatically activated, conversely, ventilation is stopped if the windows are open. Cooling and heating system probes 6. Complete the text with the words given below. energy, generating, grid, installed, photovoltaic, power, stored, studies. Leaf House: Hydrogen Production and Storage System As part of the Leaf House project, the Enel Group has ................................... a system for the production, storage and re-use of hydrogen which is used for ................................... electricity. During maximum exposure to sunlight, the energy generated by the ................................... solar panels is not only used to meet the energy demands of the Leaf House, but also to ................................... an electrolyser capable of breaking down water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen produced is ................................... in a system that utilises metallic hydrates and, thanks to a fuel cell, it is re-converted into electricity which can be used during those hours when no ................................... is produced by the sun. The technology used in the Leaf House currently represents an innovative method as far as energy storage is concerned and is the focus of intensive ................................... to optimise the management of renewable sources in sites which are not connected to the electricity ................................... 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Adapted from: https://www.casaportale.com/public/uploads/Brochure%20Leaf%20House.pdf GLOSSARY : : bank argine probe sonda