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The BERLIN project aims at the implementation of cross border pilots that will support innovative and cost-effective energy rehabilitation in public buildings based on the nanogrid concept. Thus, BERLIN project focuses on the increase of photovoltaics (PV) penetration, which coupled with energy storage and demand-side management (DSM) will increase the energy efficiency (EE) of the buildings. The implementation of these technologies in a cost-effective way will result in a high level of self-resilient public buildings that are green, smart, innovative and sustainable. 

The six pilot buildings, where the nanogrids will be implemented are as follows:

• One pilot building located in Cyprus.
• Two pilot buildings located in Greece.
• Two pilot buildings located in Israel.
• One pilot building located in Italy.

The articles that will follow will present the pilot buildings for each country. 

The first one concerns the pilot building in Cyprus. 

Pilot at FOSS Premises

The premises of FOSS Research Centre of Sustainable Energy were selected for the implementation of the nanogrid consisting of PVs, a battery energy storage system (BESS), and a controller for performing DSM. FOSS, which was created to play a key role in research and technological development activities in the field of sustainable energy, is located at the University of Cyprus campus area, on the outskirts of east Nisocia, between Aglatzia and Athalassa. A map and a photograph of the University of Cyprus are shown below. 

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Figure 1: Photograph of the University of Cyprus.

Figure 2: Map showing the University of Cyprus campus area. 

More specifically, a Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) canopy that starts from the laboratory entrance and extends to the corridor of the laboratory premises will be installed. The PV canopy will be further extended towards the office buildings, thus forming a PV roof abothe them 

Therefore, the PV modules can be utilised:

• For electricity generation.
• As an active construction material.
• As an educational material.

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 Figure 3: PV Lab, proposed installation location of PV canopy highlight in yellow.

Figure 4: Proposed installation location at FOSS premises.

Few words about the pilot location

University of Cyprus is located at the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia. It was established in 1989 and started its operation in 1992. The university, which has about 7,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, consists of 8 faculties, 23 departments, and 11 research centres. University of Cyprus is established as a Pioneer Research Institution achieving International Scientific Recognition in European Higher Education, offering Competitive Programmes, becoming a Centre of Excellence in the wider Euro-Mediterranean Region.

FOSS Research Centre of Sustainable Energy of the University of Cyprus strives to become a centre of excellence in energy that will act as a pillar where world-standard R&D work can be performed, in terms of scientific research, training and technological innovation. In FOSS, significant research expertise from the University of Cyprus as well as from industry has been assembled that spans a host of fields: Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, as well as Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Finance, Computer Science, and Architecture. 

FOSS focuses on the following research themes:

• Renewable energy (mainly on solar energy).
• Distributed generation and new technologies for electrical power systems. 
• Smart electricity networks. 
• Enabling technologies including energy storage and ICT. 
• Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs).

Application areas and research projects include:

• Energy efficiency and energy saving. 
• Demand Side Management (DSM).
• Energy Storage.
• Energy in Smart cities. 
• Electric mobility. 
• Integrated services. 
• Energy Policy and Energy economics. 
• Education and awareness work on sustainable energy matters.