The OLM Nature Escape is an innovative Eco Aparthotel located in the beautiful natural setting of Campo Tures, South Tyrol. It consists of 33 residential units arranged in a circular area with a diameter of 110 metres, designed to blend harmoniously with its surroundings. It is an example of eco-sustainable excellence, a revolution in the hospitality sector, because it exploits principles of bio-architecture and uses local natural materials. The structure is completely energy self-sufficient and has already obtained the prestigious GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) certification, an accolade that underlines its commitment to meeting strict sustainability standards.
The OLM Nature Escape chose Eneren as its technology partner, which provided an advanced generation system based on three powerful Eneren geothermal heat pumps from the ENW range, each with a capacity of 250 kW. These heat pumps, which are fully reversible, can produce both hot and cold water for the hotel’s air conditioning system. Equipped with multiscroll technology, electronic expansion valves, oversized plate heat exchangers, and modulation of water flow rates, the ENWs guarantee optimal efficiency under all operating conditions, even at partial loads.
A distinctive feature of the system is the desuperheater, a component that enables the production of domestic hot water (DHW) at a very high temperature in parallel with the production of heat and cold. In addition, to ensure a continuous and sufficient supply of DHW, the system includes an additional 80 kW Eneren EKW heat pump that acts as a booster. This device draws hot water from the intermediate storage tanks used for air conditioning and heats it up to 80°C without the need for auxiliary heating elements, increasing the energy efficiency of the system.
The ENW heat pumps work in parallel on a geothermal field consisting of 127 geothermal probes 100 metres deep. These probes are grouped into 10 geothermal collectors, each connecting between 10 and 15 probes. This complex system is designed to ensure maximum energy efficiency and minimum environmental impact, and was examined together with Eneren from the initial consultation to the design, installation and maintenance.
The design of the geothermal field included performing Ground Response Tests (GRT) to verify the capacity of the ground to dissipate the heat generated by the heat pumps. These tests measure the thermal conductivity of the ground and its ability to dissipate heat, ensuring that the sizing of the geothermal field is accurate and that the system operates efficiently. Eneren performed the TSO demonstrating a complete mastery of the technology and a collaborative approach, providing the company with the equipment to do further analysis on its own.
OLM Nature Escape chose this advanced and sustainable system not only for its high performance, but also for the possibility of having a single point of contact for heat and geothermal generation. Eneren was able to meet all the client’s requirements, providing innovative technological solutions such as reversible heat pumps with desuperheaters and the booster system, as well as ensuring adequate training for the technical staff involved.
Credit Lucas Auer; Hannes Niederkofler and Lisandmax
