Modern underground stations provide passengers a part of tomorrow’s technology that tries to innovate everything, from the concept of what an underground station and its energy-efficient facilities should be like to what passenger flows and the services provided for them means. Many of the recently built or upgraded railway stations rely on new-generation and innovative technologies which deliver opportunities for reducing energy consumption and developing eco-friendly structures.
Even when we talk about underground stations, this is not an impediment for developing structures with environmentally friendly facilities and functions, with reduced energy consumption, a primordial factor in the construction of stations. Solid concrete structures, heating systems using photovoltaic panels, air-conditioning with natural air, natural ventilation systems based on scuttles, these are only few elements necessary to a station which aims at reducing energy consumption.
Such a construction is the underground station Siilitie in Helsinki (Finland) that will be redeveloped as example in the city for environment protection by carrying out a project that will contribute to the energy-efficiency of the station: the constructors will use recyclable materials and solar energy. In fact, it will be the first environmentally friendly station of the underground network.
In conformity with the project, new recyclable glass walls will be installed using eco-friendly materials such as natural rock for exterior structures. These rocks will be the result of the excavation works for the extension of the line to the western part of the city, currently under construction.
The new roof will be equipped with photovoltaic panels which will produce 20-25% of the necessary energy in a year’s time and the lighting systems will be redesigned using the LED technology and where possible, natural light. As regards energy-efficiency, the lighting system of the station relies on minimising the intensity of consuming energy and, at the same time, supply the necessary energy for the optimal functioning of equipments.
The total cost of the project will be EUR 11 Million and it now awaits for the appro-val of the city council. If approved, tenders will be launched immediately, which will permit the initiation of works starting with 2012. Although serious redesign works will be carried out, the station will not be closed during works and the authorities will conduct studies for rapidly distributing passengers. The station is due for completion in 2013.
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