Energy Demonstrator-ECO-CASA
Padua
ICMATE Energy Demonstrator – Small-Scale Experimental House
ICMATE owns and operates a small-scale energy-efficient demonstrator house, used as a real-environment testbed to support research and technology transfer in building energy performance. This experimental building—presented publicly as ECO-CASA—functions as a fully controlled pilot platform for testing innovative energy solutions such as geothermal heat-exchange systems, radiant heating and cooling, high-efficiency insulation strategies, photovoltaic systems and thermal-energy storage technologies developed within European and national research projects. The demonstrator enables ICMATE to evaluate and validate advanced materials, systems, and prototypes under realistic operating conditions, offering SMEs and industrial partners a unique environment for performance testing, system integration, and proof-of-concept demonstration before market deployment.
Past and Current projects performed:
PR Veneto FESR 2021–2027 Project: SINERGHY Sustainable and INnovative Energy systems for Renewables and Green HYdrogen (2024-2027)
Development of multi-source heat pumps and innovative geothermal probes enabling high-efficiency, modular heating and cooling systems that integrate renewable sources with AI-driven smart energy-flow management, improving performance, flexibility, and overall system optimization.
EU Project. ECHO – Efficient Compact Modular Thermal Energy Storage System (2021–2025)
Demonstration of innovative thermal-energy storage modules integrated into the ECO-CASA building to enhance heating and cooling efficiency.
EU Project. GEO4CIVHIC – Most Easy, Efficient and Low-Cost Geothermal Systems for Retrofitting Civil and Historical Buildings (2018–2023)
Testing of geothermal heat-pump and high-efficiency heat-exchanger systems for building climatization and energy-efficient retrofitting.
EU Project. INNOWEE – Innovative Prefabricated Components from Waste Construction Materials (2016–2019)
Assessment of prefabricated insulation and structural components made from recycled construction waste to reduce energy use and environmental impact.
EU Project. Cheap-GSHPs – Cheap and Efficient Application of Reliable Ground Source Heat Exchangers and Pumps (2015–2019)
Evaluation of cost-effective geothermal systems (heat pumps and ground exchangers) supporting affordable and efficient building decarbonization.