News Media Centre
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19/01/2012
MOL opens an environmentally-friendly filling station in Budapest
More than 50% in energy savings, creative use of alternative energy, effective reduction of 10 tons of CO2 gas emissions and the conscious use of recycled materials at MOL filling stations - a brief summary of the new MOL Group’s green filling station concept, dedicated to the principles of Sustainable Development, that has recently been inaugurated in Budapest. This new filling station also proves that environmental awareness and progressive design are not contradictions in terms: the HUF 300+ million (around EUR 1 million) plus project will not only serve the customer of the future, but also of the present.
MOL has, for many years, been researching ways of developing the “filling station of the future”. One of the main aims is the reduction of filling stations’ energy costs and the use of alternative energy.
By applying alternative sources of energy and energy efficiency technology, MOL incurred nearly 20% additional costs versus traditional methods but it can now save more than 7,000 m³ of gas and 120 000 kWh of electricity per annum. During sunny days, the filling station can generate its total power needs.
“We believe that our new filling station has also a relaxing and friendly external appearance and fits perfectly into its environment. For example live evergreens decorate most parts of the façade and the roof provides insulation against cold in winter and warmth in summer like a kind of natural air conditioner. They also supply fresh oxygen-rich air throughout the year for the environment, and, as a ‘by-product’, neutralise nearly 10 tons of CO2 gas per annum.” - explained Jenõ Horváth Dori, Director - MOL Retail, Hungary.
MOL Group plans to open new filling stations applying similar and further innovative solutions in Hungary and neighbouring countries, like Slovakia and Croatia.
The new filling station will also be equipped with a turbo-charger enabling electric cars to fill up. This will be the first such equipment located in a filling station in Hungary. With that batteries of electric cars will be charged fully in only 20 minutes. The rapid spread of electric cars, more and more popular abroad, but it is not an immediate issue here but in Hungary. However, MOL, in cooperation with ABB, leader in power and automation technologies is now focusing on pioneering developments.
Innovations:
MOL has, for many years, been researching ways of developing the “filling station of the future”. One of the main aims is the reduction of filling stations’ energy costs and the use of alternative energy.
By applying alternative sources of energy and energy efficiency technology, MOL incurred nearly 20% additional costs versus traditional methods but it can now save more than 7,000 m³ of gas and 120 000 kWh of electricity per annum. During sunny days, the filling station can generate its total power needs.
“We believe that our new filling station has also a relaxing and friendly external appearance and fits perfectly into its environment. For example live evergreens decorate most parts of the façade and the roof provides insulation against cold in winter and warmth in summer like a kind of natural air conditioner. They also supply fresh oxygen-rich air throughout the year for the environment, and, as a ‘by-product’, neutralise nearly 10 tons of CO2 gas per annum.” - explained Jenõ Horváth Dori, Director - MOL Retail, Hungary.
MOL Group plans to open new filling stations applying similar and further innovative solutions in Hungary and neighbouring countries, like Slovakia and Croatia.
The new filling station will also be equipped with a turbo-charger enabling electric cars to fill up. This will be the first such equipment located in a filling station in Hungary. With that batteries of electric cars will be charged fully in only 20 minutes. The rapid spread of electric cars, more and more popular abroad, but it is not an immediate issue here but in Hungary. However, MOL, in cooperation with ABB, leader in power and automation technologies is now focusing on pioneering developments.
Innovations:
- Significantly enhanced heat insulation of the building, including special three-layer glass surfaces, greatly reduce heat in summer/heat loss in winter and the energy required for heating and/or cooling.
- The green wall and roof covered with evergreens will neutralise 10 tons of CO2 gas per annum, while also saving energy and reducing the effects of high winter-summer temperature volatility on the building. The energy thus saved can further reduce CO2 gas emissions by nearly 100 tons.
- As a result of drainage and storage of rainwater in cisterns, watering of plants on the roof and walls is simpler and thus consumption of potable water will be minimal.
- The building’s heating, cooling and hot water supply system is the very modern „air-water” concept equipped with a heat pump and heat exchanger thus ensuring zero CO2 emissions.
- The roof above the forecourt and the branches of the towering tailor-made “solar-trees” provide a total 250m2 of integrated solar panels generating nearly 31,000 kWh of energy per annum, thus significantly reducing the need for supplementary energy for filling station operations.
- A turbo charger has been commissioned, the first such equipment in Hungary. It can fully charge the batteries of an electric car in only 20 minutes.
- Power LED lighting is used inside the building and in the forecourt area. The 355 LED lamps installed can save more than 6,000 KWh per annum.
- The interior is designed and built using environmental-friendly materials: tailor-made shop equipment and furniture made from recycled cardboard, vinyl textile flooring, lamps hung from the ceiling made from 512 used corks and, naturally, LED lighting and three decorative balls with green northern lichen under the ceiling adding a micro-climate to the attractive shop.
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