The energy revolution of cultural spaces

Museums, galleries, and cultural sites are among the public sectors with the greatest environmental impact, mainly for two reasons: they often operate twenty-four hours a day and, in many cases, are located in historic buildings. These cultural centers are fundamental pillars of our cultural identity, but their preservation goes beyond the mere conservation of art and heritage. In a world where environmental sustainability is a priority, it is crucial to address the energy impact of these institutions to ensure their long-term survival and contribute to environmental care. Our country is one of the European nations with the vastest and most diverse cultural wealth, but with it comes the responsibility to preserve it sustainably. Specifically, in Spain, there are over 1,500 museum institutions and nearly 30,400 assets of cultural interest, more than half of which are real estate (monuments, churches, castles, etc.). Furthermore, according to UNESCO data, there are a total of 50 World Heritage sites in our territory, making us the fifth country in the world with the most sites recognized for their historical and cultural value. This situation raises the urgent need to find solutions that improve the energy efficiency of these spaces without compromising their historical and aesthetic value. Cultural spaces have the opportunity to adopt a wide range of measures to reduce their consumption, energy expenditure, and emissions, from improving lighting and climate control to implementing photovoltaic systems. To this end, collaboration with companies specialized in energy efficiency and the promotion of sustainable practices can play a crucial role in this transition towards sustainability. By partnering with energy experts and adopting innovative technologies, cultural spaces can maximize their positive impact on reducing the environmental footprint. Opting for LED lighting instead of conventional lighting is an ongoing measure that can make a difference. In this vein, the Museo del Prado has been implementing an LED lighting project since 2017, which is allowing it to achieve annual energy savings of 75% and a reduction in CO₂ emissions of 320 tons per year. Another example, beyond our borders, is the Museu do Amanhã in Brazil. This museum, committed to sustainability, has implemented innovative energy solutions, notably solar panels that track the sun’s trajectory. Thanks to these measures, the museum achieves approximate savings of 2,400 MWh per year. For our part, at Edison Next, we have been working for years on the energy efficiency of our national heritage. One of the latest initiatives we have carried out in this line is the renovation of efficient lighting at the Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca. In this project, with a total investment of 2.23 million euros and culminating after several years of planning, we have managed to implement a state-of-the-art LED lighting system that reduces energy consumption by 40%. Furthermore, the replacement of the old projectors with 505 LED projectors has allowed not only optimizing energy efficiency but also improving the visual experience and highlighting the architectural elements of this emblematic 13th-century building. In addition to implementing LED technologies and other energy efficiency measures, the integration of Building Management Systems (BMS) plays a fundamental role in optimizing energy consumption in heritage buildings. These systems allow for centralized monitoring and control of various aspects such as climate control, lighting, and other electrical systems, which is especially relevant in cultural spaces that require customized conditions. At Edison Next, we have decided to increase our commitment to BMS solutions due to their great capacity to improve energy efficiency and the good results we have obtained in projects where we have implemented them. Furthermore, in this context, the ability to automatically adjust these parameters according to the changing needs of the environment not only improves energy efficiency but also ensures the proper preservation of artworks and the historic building structure itself. In this sense, the adoption of BMS solutions represents a crucial step towards sustainability and the protection of cultural heritage. In our ongoing commitment to energy efficiency and the preservation of our cultural heritage, we implement cutting-edge technology that allows us to maximize benefits and improve the results of these initiatives. Therefore, at Edison Next, we commit to continuing to work to find solutions that improve the energy efficiency of our historic sites without compromising their aesthetic and cultural value.