CascaiShopping receives the first wind tree in Portugal
Sustainability is one of the main pillars of the shopping centers managed by Sonae Sierra and the CascaiShopping continues to surprise and be a pioneer in this area. The Center received what is the first wind tree in Portugal and the second in the Iberian Peninsula. It is located in the outdoor car park and will allow CascaiShopping to improve its energy performance, as well as reduce its carbon footprint.
This innovation, whose production was in charge of the Portuguese company RESUL, is shaped like a tree and has a modular system that enables an energy generation capacity of up to 5400Wh, through mini turbines in the shape of leaves.
Electricity production starts with less strong winds (<2 m/s) and produces almost 300 days a year, being able to reduce more than 6.5 tons of CO2/year, generating enormous potential for reducing the Center's energy consumption .
“Receiving the installation of the first wind tree in Portugal reinforces CascaiShopping’s enormous desire to be always attentive to pioneering and innovative opportunities that not only improve the Centre’s performance, but also the experience of those who visit it. Since sustainability is a pillar present in the Centre’s daily work, we are extremely proud to be able to announce this novelty”, says Carla Bonito, director of CascaiShopping.
In 2022, with regard to innovation, CascaiShopping had already installed bus stops with heated seats and smart treadmills in the car parks, having been the first shopping center in Portugal to do so on both occasions.
Furthermore, this Christmas, the Center guaranteed its position regarding energy efficiency, keeping the Christmas lights off until December 1st, and from that date, turning them on only from 6 pm. Among the measures that have been integrated into CascaiShopping and which have already enabled a 28% reduction in energy consumption in 2022, compared to 2019, we also highlight the optimization of opening hours and set points air handling units; the adjustment in the cold water set-points of the cooling plant according to the time of year we are in (summer or winter); replacement of traditional lighting with LED technology; and optimization of lighting operating hours, especially during the period when the center is closed, among others.