Axima is working with the Lille European Metropolis to implement a model of energy efficiency and conservation for its archives building
© Lille European Metropolis
As the government calls on public and private entities as well as individuals to commit to energy efficiency, the inauguration of the new archives of the European Metropolis of Lille (MEL), held on Friday, March 3, exemplifies the public institution’s strong ambitions in terms of energy and environmental performance.
The 12,000 m² of buildings housing the MEL’s archives and printing facility, as well as Sourcéo’s services, are now more efficient and smarter thanks to solutions designed and deployed by Axima, a division of Equans France. The project also benefited from the expertise of Equans Digital, which the Axima teams relied on to create a complete digital twin of the buildings using BIM (Building Information Modeling).
Energy Optimization for More Energy-Efficient Buildings
As part of the consortium led by Sogea Caroni (Vinci), along with Dehaene Partenaires and Projex, Axima’s experts designed and carried out the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC and plumbing) work on all the buildings housing the MEL’s archives, printing facility, and laboratory, with the goal of creating more energy-efficient infrastructure.
Equans Digital created a complete digital twin of the buildings using BIM (Building Information Modeling) with a 3D model. This digital twin enables the optimization of the systems. The building’s dynamic energy simulation (DES) was used to determine actual energy consumption in order to commit to achieving a consumption level of:
278 MWh, or 87 kWhEP/m²
An excellent performance for a highly technical archive building
This energy efficiency is further enhanced by the installation of a geothermal system to provide heating and cooling, which is essential for the preservation of the archives. Renewable energy is at the heart of this complex of commercial buildings, featuring:
- 450 m² of photovoltaic panels
- A rainwater harvesting system
- Bio-based materials
Archival Preservation: An Energy Challenge
Archival preservation requires maintaining a constant temperature and humidity level regardless of weather conditions. Axima’s experts have therefore co-designed high-performance, energy-efficient solutions for air filtration, utilizing cooling and heating coils to ensure dehumidification. Installing a humidification and air recirculation system is essential to prevent the deterioration of archival materials. These systems thus enable the long-term preservation of archival materials while reducing energy consumption and the carbon footprint of buildings.
Renewed Trust for 6 Years
The innovative solutions offered by Equans France, along with its commitment to reducing its clients’ carbon footprint, have made it possible to move forward with the project through a 6-year maintenance contract. This new phase will enable the Lille European Metropolis (MEL) to gain a comprehensive overview of its energy performance and, above all, to optimize energy consumption in its archive buildings throughout their operational lifecycles.
“ The teams at Axima, a division of Equans, a global leader in the energy and services sector, are proud to take concrete action to demonstrate that sustainability is compatible with energy, environmental, and economic performance. We must continue to innovate to provide concrete and effective solutions in this unique global context. The design and construction of the archives building for the European Metropolis of Lille serves as a model to follow, confirming the urgent need for ambition as we collectively tackle the climate challenge. ”
