Eurosolar 2012 / Energy Globe 2014

The winner of the European Solar Prize 2012 and
The National Energy Globe Award 2014

The first solar-powered Next Generation Service Station by Europa Studio

Creative solutions draw broad public attention to the benefits of a full renewable energy supply – and great costs of delays and compromises. Europa Studio’s Next Generation Service Station shows us where the solar energy road can take us!

The building is the first zero-carbon emission service station in Europe and uses solar energy. The building’s annual specific needs and consumptions per net heated area is lower than a passive building’s, less than 15kWh/m²a. The building’s gas connection was disconnected. Now the heating, cooling and the hot water supply is provided by the most efficient eco air-water heat pump. For irrigation of the plants we use harvested rainwater to minimize potable water usage. In the parking area a highly efficient electric car charger is installed. All furniture used in the shop are made from recycled cardboard.

Summary of the project

More than 50% in energy savings, creative use of alternative energy, effective reduction of 10 tons of CO2 gas emissions and the conscious use of recycled materials at the flagship filling station a brief summary of the MOL Group’s green filling station concept designed by Zsolt Zombori architect, (Europa Studio Ltd.) dedicated to the principles of Sustainable Development, that has recently been inaugurated in Budapest.

The roof above the forecourt and the branches of the towering tailor-made “solar-trees” provide a total 250m2 of integrated solar panels generating nearly 31,000 kWh of energy per annum, thus significantly reducing the need for supplementary energy for filling station operations.

A highly efficient electric car charger has been commissioned, the first such equipment in Hungary. It can fully charge the batteries of an electric car in only 20 minutes. Power LED lighting is used inside the building and in the forecourt area. The 355 new LED lamps installed can save more than 6,000 KWh per annum.

Significantly enhanced heat insulation of the building, including special three-layer glass surfaces, greatly reduce heat in summer/heat loss in winter and the energy required for heating and/or cooling. The 50% energy thus saved can further reduce CO2 gas emissions by nearly 180 tons.

The green wall and roof covered with evergreens will neutralize 10 tons of CO2 gas per annum, while also saving energy and reducing the effects of high winter-summer temperature volatility on the building.

As a result of drainage and storage of rainwater in cisterns, watering of plants on the roof and walls is simpler and thus consumption of potable water will be minimal.

The building’s heating, cooling and hot water supply system is the most efficient „air-water” heat pump equipped with a heat exchanger thus ensuring zero CO2 emissions.

The interior is designed and built using environmental-friendly materials: tailor-made shop equipment and furniture; vinyl textile flooring, lamps hung from the ceiling made from 512 used corks, LED lighting and three decorative balls with green northern lichen.

For additional details please visit the actual Project page.