Summary
The project aims at market transformation for efficient lighting in a particular field of application, i.e. the classic "Murano Glass" chandeliers - which are the typical luminaires found in all historical Venetian palaces and mansions. In this specific field the major barrier to the deployment of efficient lighting technologies is the poor aesthetical appearance of standard CFLs. Surprisingly enough, the appropriate solution of candle-shaped CFLs is, is fact, still scarcely widespread. A successful partnership between Venice Energy Agency and the manufacturer of a very compact type of candle CFLs, the project is geared on a demonstrative phase I (the introduction of the proposed bulbs in a pilot building) and on a scaling-up phase II addressed to the whole City (historical property managers and the generality of households being the project targets). Because of its high symbolic value and high visibility, the choice was made to have the catalyst retrofit initiative put in place in the chandeliers of the Town Council hall in "Ca' Farsetti", a XVII century palazzo along the Grand Canal which hosts the Municipality of Venice.
Lessons learned and repeatability
Not to count the normal homes, where Murano glass chandeliers are quite common, there are at least 500 hundred historical palaces and mansions in the historical city centre of Venice, with some hundred thousand light spots: a quite large scaling-up potential for this efficient lighting technology, indeed.
The replication potential in Italy and in those other EU countries were candle-shaped CFLs are not yet established as standard lighting option for chandeliers and appliqués is undoubtedly very high.
No particular specific conditions are needed for repeating the activity in similar contexts. As regards technical aspects, the possibility of matching exactly the luminous flux before and after the retrofit depends on the power of the incandescent bulbs replaced in relation to the CFL alternatives available on the market. The decrease in colour rendering of CFL bulbs is limited, and should not therefore constitute a real obstacle to the retrofit.
The levers for successful replication of this action are the absolute ease of implementation on the one side, and the extremely attractive payback of the technology on the other side.
The communication approach to decision makers at all levels (from households to energy manager of historical building) can simply be "energy efficient retrofit is possible in historical contexts, too".
To find similar reports, click on a keyword below:
Buildings
: Decision Makers
: Energy Efficiency
: Households
: Lighting
: ManagEnergy
: Property Owners
: Refurbishment of Buildings
: User behaviour
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AGIRE - Agenzia Veneziana per l'Energia Venice Energy Agency
Case Study (284 Kb PDF)