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 banks of the Esino river, in Angeli di Rosora (Ancona). Its name is Leaf (Life Energy and Future) Community: a real embryo of a smart city, where you can move with electrical vehicles recharged by eco-stations and with buildings called Leaf Lab and Leaf House. 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. A Net Zero Energy Solar Building The Leaf House is an example of a NZESB, Net Zero Energy Solar Building, a building that produces almost all the primary energy it needs during a year. The house, with 477m 2 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 67% and a mean horizontal solar 6 O R D W S radiation of 302W/m 2. 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: Domestic hot water: 7 thermal panels, covering a surface of 15m 2, provide for the DHW need. In the first year of monitoring, the thermal collectors covered total domestic hot water need by 63%, providing 4,227kWht out of 6,638kWht. Cooling and heating system: it is carried out by a geothermal heat pump with three vertical probes 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. Complete the text with the words given below. energy generating grid installed photovoltaic power stored studies bank: argine probe: sonda Leaf House: Hydrogen Production and Storage System is 5. ............................................ in a system that utilises As part of the Leaf House project, the Enel re-converted into electricity which can be used Group has 1. ............................................ a system for during those hours when no 6. ........................................... the production, storage and re-use of hydrogen is produced by the sun. The technology used in which is used for 2. ........................................... electricity. the Leaf House currently represents an innovative During maximum exposure to sunlight, the method as far as energy storage is concerned and energy generated by the 3. ........................................... is the focus of intensive 7. ........................................... to solar panels is not only used to meet the optimise the management of renewable sources energy demands of the Leaf House, but also to in sites which are not connected to the electricity 4. ........................................... an electrolyser capable 8. ........................................... . of breaking down water molecules into Adapted from: https://www.casaportale.com/public/uploads/ Brochure%20Leaf%20House.pdf hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen produced metallic hydrates and, thanks to a fuel cell, it is EnErgy 313 MechPower.indb 313 30/01/24 17:10