UPGRADES to cut the presidential palace’s ‘substantial’ emissions could cost up to €1.2 million, but save money in the long run, according to a new study.
Researchers from the Cyprus Institute, National University of Athens and the Pennsylvania State University completed the second phase of their environmental study of the Palace this week, and have suggested 11 improvements to reduce carbon emissions and Volatile Organic Compounds that are present in the air due to poor ventilation.
Professor Loucas Kallisperis of the Cyprus Institute said: “Our primary findings are that there is a need for updates to various systems that can contribute to reduced emissions. We have proposed various measures, which will need to be designed by engineers before they go ahead.”
Asked which the key improvements were, Kallisperis said that solar panels would be an important step towards cutting the palace’s “substantial electricity consumption”; a total of 180 Kilowatts per square metre for heating and 212 Kilowatts per square metre for electricity.
These panels could be placed over the car park to provide electricity and heat water, which would have the additional benefit of reducing the need for air-conditioning in cars.
Another key improvement would be a ‘night cooling’ feature, which uses the difference between day and night time temperatures to create an eco friendly ventilation system.
This is important, said Kallisperis, because the study revealed elevated amounts of ‘volatile organic compounds’ (VOC) in the air which can cause headaches and other medical problems.
“Fortunately in Nicosia there is a large difference between day and night temperatures, and the stone here has a high thermal mass which allows us to create a night-cooling ventilation system.”
Finally, Kallisperis said that many of the windows would need to be replaced, since they had not been changed since before 1974. “We have to start within the context of the structure, and so the next stage is to look at the engineering aspects.
While implementing all 11 measures and going fully ‘green’ could cost €1.2 million, the study also estimates that an investment of €240,000 could cut around 90 per cent of the carbon emissions.
The developments are not just ozone-friendly; they could also save a significant amount of money for the taxpayer.
“Some of the projects can begin immediately, but others we have to wait for and carry out in the coming years.”
