Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
Renewable energy can come in many forms, depending on geographical location, Source: Tommy Kwak / Unsplash
Sântana has only 11,000 residents, yet several municipal buildings will get connected to a renewable geothermal reservoir deep underground
This week, the Romanian town of Sântana announced a new project for using geothermal energy to heat public buildings. The project cost around 5.7 million euros and will supply the town hall, the 'Sfânta Ana' Secondary School and the 'Stefan Hell' Technological High School.
According to local Mayor Daniel Tomuţa, the old central heating system in these key public buildings will be cut off. He pointed out that this would allow the municipality to transition from fossil-fuelled district heating to more green and sustainable alternatives.
The geothermal project in Sântana calls for the construction of a 1,200-metre-deep borehole for the extraction of naturally heated water. Additionally, it also requires the construction of 2.7 kilometres of pipes for transporting the water and 2.2 kilometres of pipes for energy distribution. When the water has made it through the heating cycle through municipal buildings, it will be injected back into the thermal reservoir to ensure reusability.
Mayor Tomuţa explained that the project would bring considerable savings to the municipal budget and serve as a ‘step 1’ to a larger plan for implementing sustainable energy principles in the municipality.
The mayor was quoted by AGERPRES explaining that depending on the size of the reservoir, the geothermal option for Sântana could be expanded to cover even more municipal buildings.
He added that the city has a chance to hit a huge thermal reservoir, which can be exploited under local regulations to accelerate the green energy transition.
Sântana is a relatively small municipality with only 11,000 residents, located in Romania’s North-Western Arad County. Nevertheless, it is the second one to start exploiting geothermal energy to meet local energy demands. The first city in the county is Pecica, which has a similar population of 12,000.
Here, geothermal well-drilling started in the autumn of 2022 with two wells and a relatively consistent water temperature of about 50 degrees Celsius. The project cost around 5 million euros, and the sourced water will heat 13 buildings from this autumn, already affecting the municipal budget in a positive way.
Silesian is spoken by about half a million people in the south of the country
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
The tool helps identify undeclared swimming pools and garden sheds
It will serve as a virtual companion to the municipal network of libraries in the country
In addition, the federal government has launched the National Week of Action against Bicycle Theft to raise awareness of the issue and the new solution
The tests are also experimenting with a charging point that is easier to maintain
Reportedly, the aim of the local government is to curb violence and disorder among the youth
The city thinks that it’s time to update pet-related street cleanliness rules for the 21st century
Yes, you guessed it right, that also includes baguettes and cheeses
Reportedly, the aim of the local government is to curb violence and disorder among the youth
Silesian is spoken by about half a million people in the south of the country
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team