Torres Vedras Municipality
Boavista Social Housing Rehabilitation
In the 1960’s, the Municipality of Torres Vedras constructed several
Social Housing Complexes. Today, these buildings are outdated and
have become a problematic source of pollution and a consumer of
resources.
Throughout 2011, with a completion date of 31 Dec 2012,
rehabilitation of the Boavista Social Housing complex will be
undertaken. Improvement of energy efficiency and use of solar energy
production technologies are to be implemented in order to increase
building sustainability and reduce energy consumption.


Environmental Education Center of Torres Vedras
The Torres Vedras Environmental Education Center (EEC) will be built
starting in the 2nd semester of 2011. Evaluated at 1 070
000 Euros, 70% is funded by the Operational Plan of Territorial
Improvement of the National Strategic Framework.
The new EEC building has an enclosed area of 661 m2, and
an open area of 432 m2. It is projected to be a Class A+
environmentally sustainable building. Its purpose is to provide
environmental education activities and a Project on Education for
Citizenship and the Environment, tailored for citizens of lower
social-economic strata, who would otherwise not be able to learn
more about energy renewability and efficiency.
The new EEC will possess areas for interactive games with
environmental themes, a workshop, a laboratory, a cyber-café
articulated with environmental education activities, and a permanent
exhibition on the different topics related to environmental
sustainability.
The Center is forecast to receive about 80 000 visitors per year,
with 50 000 being participants of education and training programs.
Building construction will be guided by bio-climate and sustainable
principles. Walls, windows and ceilings have been designed in order
to make the best use of the building’s location, orientation and
design with respect to solar radiation, ventilation and natural
lighting. Solar and photovoltaic panels will be installed, as well
as energy-saving water and lighting resources. Some inner walls are
to be constructed using recycled materials.
During the building process, eco-friendly practices will be in
place, such as waste separation and recycling, pollution prevention
measures and water waste reduction, in addition to a careful
selection of environmentally-friendly materials.



Santa Cruz Eco Urbe
The construction of a Sustainable House in Santa Cruz (Municipality
of Torres Vedras), Eco Urbe, began in January 2011. This building
will serve as a showcase area of technologies and equipment
associated with sustainable energy systems.
With an estimated investment value of 140 000.00 Euros, Eco Urbe
will house the Blue Center and the Microgeneration and Energy
Efficiency Support Office. The Blue Center provides support for all
Environmental Education Programs within the framework of the
European Blue Flag Program.
A modular building system has been designed, with minimum
environmental impact, composed of a necessary 80 m2open
space module, capable of functioning as a 40-person amphitheatre as
well as an exhibit area. A 15 m2 office space is
allocated to the Microgeneration and Energy Efficiency Support
Office and restrooms.
The Sustainable House will be equipped with photovoltaic and wind
microgeneration systems, water recycling, efficient lighting and
other measures to reduce consumption costs. Passive construction
measures will be employed to lower energy requirements for heating
and cooling systems.
Building completion is expected by 31 Dec 2012.



Sustainability Measures at Santa Cruz High School
On
October 5th, 2010, the Santa Cruz Public High School (Municipality
of Torres Vedras) was inaugurated after rehabilitation and
remodeling of the original infrastructure, dated from 1982. The
building is now environmentally sustainable, incorporating several
technologies associated with renewable energies, such as solar.
This is a pioneering School because it is equipped with
environmental characteristics such as LED public lighting,
photovoltaic panels and geothermal energy, among others.
The geothermal system used for air conditioning consists of a high
performance heat pump and 2 air treatment units with heat
recuperation via enthalpy. With the installation of microgeneration
using photovoltaic solar equipment, the School sells energy to the
national grid, and solar heating is used for the School’s water
heating. Outdoor lighting has been entirely replaced with LED.
The annual reduction in CO2 emissions is estimated at 2.3 tons.




Last updated: 06/03/2011
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