The new Campus for Bologna Business School (BBS), the management training school of the University of Bologna, will rise opposite Villa Guastavillani on the ridge of the hill through the redevelopment and recovery of several existing buildings on the site. The project, located in the Bologna hills and developed in collaboration with Mario Cucinella Architects, aims to enhance a location with significant historical meaning and to create a new hub serving the business school. This hub is designed to rethink the way academic environments foster relationships, creating moments of socialization and interaction as fundamental prerequisites for student learning.

MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

The objective of the project is the creation of a "Near Zero Energy Building" (NZEB). Fossil fuels will not be used for summer and winter climate control or for Domestic Hot Water (DHW) production, and extensive use will be made of energy from renewable sources. The project includes the works related to the summer and winter air conditioning systems and the Controlled Mechanical Ventilation (CMV) system.

Use of Renewable Energy Sources (RES)

The minimum parameters to be met are:

• 55% of the projected consumption for domestic hot water (DHW).

• 55% of the sum of total thermal energy consumption for DHW, heating, and cooling.

• An electrical power not less than: Covered Area / 50, increased by 10%. In this specific case, approximately 24.8kW.

In this project, the parameters listed above are significantly exceeded. The combination of a Heat Pump (HP) with Photovoltaic (PV) panels allows compliance with the three required conditions while avoiding the use of specific RES for DHW production, such as solar thermal. For the heating and cooling needs of the building, and consequently for the type of thermal systems planned, the photovoltaic system is the most suitable among the RES systems for electricity production. The use of an aerothermal source via Heat Pumps and photovoltaic electricity eliminates the use of fossil fuels within the building system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

The project includes the installation of a new electrical substation to meet the energy needs of the new Bologna Business School Campus. Within the user-side of the substation, the electrical systems for ordinary lighting, safety lighting, fire detection, motive power, and the earthing system will be implemented.

Energy Management System (EMS) for Controlling and Maintaining an Electrical System:

The energy management solution consists of a low voltage panel integrated into a simple communication architecture. This allows the user to control the consumption and energy costs of the installed system; furthermore, it improves service continuity, increasing system availability and optimizing maintenance. The electrical distribution panel will contain protective, metering, and control devices capable of communicating with a supervision system to ensure effective energy management.

Building and Energy Management System (BEMS):

The BEMS is a system with a high impact in terms of reducing CO2​ emissions and certified monetary savings. It reduces the building's energy consumption, resulting in economic savings and reduced environmental pollution. It is a low-impact system compared to other potential interventions for reducing pollution and energy consumption. It also improves the management of environmental comfort and production processes.