The Future Has Begun - Barcelona
How the flexible use of heat pumps is transforming a residential building in Barcelona's old town into a modern apartment building.
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Vaillant Group
The future has begun – on Murano
How a traditional glass manufacturer is transforming its energy supply with modern heat pump technology
The Vaillant Group is a leading provider of energy-saving and environmentally friendly heat pumps. These obtain about three quarters of their energy for free from the environment and are suitable for most buildings.
In the series ‘The Future Has Begun', we present remarkable buildings and architectural projects that have one thing in common: heat pumps provide comprehensive heating comfort in an economical and environmentally friendly way.
The Property: An energy-intensive glass manufacturing becomes a model of sustainability
On the Venetian island of Murano, centuries-old craftsmanship meets modern energy solutions. The family-run manufacturer LU Murano demonstrates how sustainable transformation can succeed even in energy-intensive industries – efficiently, economically, and future-proof.
Glass production on Murano is world-renowned – and highly energy-intensive. Furnaces operate around the clock at temperatures exceeding 1,000°C. For a long time, this meant high gas consumption and consequently high CO₂ emissions.
For master glassblower Fabio Fornasier, it was clear that this traditional craft could only have a future if it became more sustainable.
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The solution approach: Utilising existing energy and combining it with modern technology
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Together with partners, the family business developed a holistic energy system that unlocks untapped potential and eliminates the need for fossil fuels in the heating cycle.
At its core is the combination of waste heat recovery and heat pump technology from the Vaillant Group. The heat generated during glass production is recovered via a heat exchanger, stored in a water-based system, and fed back into the operation.
This concept is complemented by a high-performance heat pump solution:
Two 15 kW aroTHERM plus heat pumps operating in cascade
A 2,000-litre allSTOR buffer tank for heating
Instantaneous water heaters for domestic hot water supply
A 200-litre buffer tank for cooling
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This creates a nearly closed energy cycle that reliably provides heating, cooling, and hot water throughout the year.
Heating without gas – at full performance – the new system completely replaces previous gas consumption while ensuring maximum operational efficiency. The heat pumps provide additional support whenever extra energy is needed – for example, during furnace downtime – and also take over cooling functions during the summer.
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The Result: Significant Ecological and Economic Savings
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The transformation has quickly delivered measurable results:
Significant reduction in CO₂ emissions
Heating costs reduced from approximately €1,500 to around €60 per month
Noticeable decrease in overall energy consumption
LU Murano has not only improved its environmental footprint but also strengthened its long-term competitiveness.
With this investment, Fabio Fornasier has shown how innovation can successfully reinforce tradition.
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