The Energy Center is a building owned and managed by Politecnico di Torino, which hosts firm, academic staff and public administrations who jointly develop research activities in the field on energy sustainability and the transition toward a more decarbonised society. The building already integrates RES, such a 46 kW PV field (the average irradiance in Torino on an optimally orientated and inclined surface is about 1,500 kWh/y/m2) and a geothermal heat pump. Also, the building will host from 2019 two prototypes of small-scale wind turbines (one with a vertical axis and one with horizontal axis) and a concentrating solar system that will be installed on the roof of the building.

The potential for wind power generation is mild, with an average wind speed of around 3 m/s, and a yearly averaged capacity factor of about 20%. The main challenges to be addressed are the maximisation of RES integration within the building (i.e., to increase the installed capacity, especially of electric RES) and to yield a match of demand and local supply with limited use of energy storage technologies.