Astrel Group - Case study - 4-noks - Up to 85% self-consumed energy
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Up to 85% self-consumed energy Mr. Tognazzi states “I’m using up to 85% self-consumed energy with 4-noks solutions” Thanks to a ‘smart’ management of your PV system the energy independence is becoming reality Originally from Tuscany now living in Cecina, Alberto Tognazzi is passionate of energy saving technology. He started his path towards a more sustainable way of living only some years ago, among the pioneers of an ‘evolved’ use of energy taken from the solar PV system. He was among the first who adopted the Elios4you system by 4-noks to realize his dream of an energy-independent house with low environmental impact: that is what he says. Mr. Tognazzi, will you explain us your project? “Sure. I have always dreamed of owning an energetically self-sufficient house, and I found a solution in the solar PV system. I installed my PV plant in 2012 during my home restructuring with a clear aim: using self-produced electric energy only, without sacrificing comfort.” Apart from your PV system for energy production, which systems did you adopt to optimize energy consumption? “The PV system was just the first step. Besides house thermal insulation, to reduce heating and cooling system consumption I used a heat pump, an appropriate solution together with the PV system. Moreover, I chose a tank for hot sanitary water storage and technical water (heating water) taken from my artesian aquifer. In my house even the hotplates are working with electric induction, just like everything else.” However, the energy produced was not only used for your home, was it? “True. My goal is to completely replace fossil energy in favour of renewable one. The next step was electric mobility. I could use the exceeding energy produced by my PV system to supply an electric car, so I bought one.” How and why did you choose 4-noks technology to control your PV system? “After installing my PV system I understood it was impossible to optimize consumption during the system working hours without a suitable technology to manage and use energy. From there I started my research for a solution easy to use, reliable and possibly scalable. 4-noks products were the only ones which completely satisfied my expectations.” Which 4-noks products are now present in your house? “My system is now entirely monitored and managed by the App Elios4you. At the beginning in 2013, I installed Elios4you Pro for the monitoring of production and consumption flows and for the setting of the HP (Heat Pump) program. At this purpose, the online portal 4-cloud was necessary. I still use the output available on Elios4you Pro to manage my electric car charge depending on the energy available. In 2014, I installed Power Reducer to use the exceeding energy for sanitary water and technical water operating directly the built-in resistance in the boiler. Then, in 2015, I introduced the module Pro Smart for programming and for controlling the well pump operation via Smart Switch, and other house appliances via Smart Plug.” Astrel Group - Case study - 4-noks - Up to 8

Which goals did you achieve? “I could increase my consumption capacity from 15-20% up to 85% during months of higher production, namely from March till September. This stands as an important goal considering that my system is of 8.0 kWp (now 10.5 kWp) entirely supplying a place with a household of only two people.” You also received awards, is that correct? “Yes, it is. I received my first category award for Italy at “Eco courts awards” in 2014. The award was an electric bike and a kit for electric consumption.” Award allocated by the regions of Tuscany and Emilia, the city of Padua,...