GREEN COVERINGS FOR IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF BUILDINGS

Nowadays, buildings in Europe account for a consume of 40% of total energy use and about 65% of total electricity consumption. Green Roofs and Walls (GRWs) are in tune with the Directive on the energy performance of buildings which outlines that GI (Green Infrastructures) solutions such as GRWscan help reduce GHG emissions on urban areas, and improve the appearance of the cities. In addition, plant systems covering the building surfaces allow to reach an improvement of the building's energy efficiency. This paper shows the first results achieved at the test building-platform of ENEA Casaccia Centre, in the frame of Programme Research of Electrical System. The general objective of this research is to provide a basis for the development of standards and design of the GRW application for civil and public buildings. Preliminary data showed a strong reduction of the solar radiation values on the wall shaded with the plants which led to a lower temperature of surface wall in comparison with the wall not shaded with the plants layer.