Romania Eficienta Program Continues

The ‘Zig-Zag’ kindergarten in Ovidiu (Constanta County) has started a major modernization process through the Romania Eficienta program, run by Energy Policy Group and supported by OMV Petrom, the official sponsor. Built in the 1950s, the kindergarten will benefit from works to increase its energy performance, to be brought to nZEB standards (nearly-zero energy consumption building), as well as works to consolidate and extend the capacity. The total investment amounts to around EUR 1.5 mn.

The ‘Zig-Zag’ Kindergarten is currently in an advanced state of wear and tear and requires consolidation works. After renovation, the building will be upgraded from energy efficiency class E (lower limit being class G) to the highest energy class (A). The total annual energy consumption will be reduced by more than 60% and the carbon emissions, by about six times. The kindergarten will be equipped with renewable energy systems, i.e., photovoltaic panels and heat pumps. The project also includes the extension of the kindergarten building.

“I am glad to see that the Romania Eficienta program is becoming a model in the field of energy efficiency. We are proving in this way that we can reduce energy consumption and at the same time improve thermal comfort in modernized buildings. Also, we are contributing to the education for the responsible consumption of natural resources, as the pupils and pre-school children, who will learn in the new modernized classrooms, can become ambassadors of change,” Christina Verchere, CEO OMV Petrom, stated.

Radu Dudau, President of EPG and coordinator of the Romania Eficienta program, added: “After the completion of the two major and innovative nZEB renovation projects in Prahova County, we are pleased to have opened a new construction site, this time in Constanta County. Unlike the previous investments, at the kindergarten in Ovidiu we will also carry out works to consolidate the building, which is about 70 years old, and to extend it. It will again be a challenging project, but this makes us even more want to demonstrate how old buildings can be transformed into modern and highly energy-efficient spaces. In addition, we will create much better conditions to play, study and rest for around 100 pre-school children, which makes us especially happy.”

The ‘Zig-Zag’ kindergarten is facing the following problems: deficiencies of the building structure, lack of thermal insulation, worn-out exterior woodwork, old and inefficient heating system, outdated water and sewage plumbing, lack of ventilation or air conditioning systems, electrical wiring not adapted to current needs, etc.

The main works included in the energy performance improvement project:

• Thermal insulation of external walls;
• Replacement of existing woodwork with energy efficient one;
• Thermal insulation of floors;
• Replacement of the heating system with a hybrid system (heat pumps, gas-fired central heating and underfloor heating);
• Replacement of the hot water system;
• Installation of a ventilation system with heat recovery;
• Installation of a photovoltaic panel electricity generation system;
• Replacing the lighting system with a high-performance LED system;
• Replacement of the electrical wiring;
• Replacing the interior woodwork;
• Final touches.

This is the third educational unit at the national level entered into the process of energy efficiency at nZEB standard through the Romania Eficienta program. The first nZEB renovated school was ‘Elie Radu’ Energetic Technological High School in Ploiesti, where works worth EUR 1 mn were completed in April 2022. The second unit was the Liliesti Secondary School – Baicoi (Prahova County), energetically rehabilitated and modernized through an investment of around EUR 1.6 mn and inaugurated in March 2023.