The New Grupo Ortiz Offices are special building structures featuring a series of large concrete frames that give the internal layout completely open work areas and floors. Each floor of the offices can be arranged and designed through the use of basic dividers. The ribs and visors in the building façade give the interior ample and comfortable lighting. This design creates a very comfortable work environment. We have taken passive and active measures to obtain the desired bioclimatic conditions.

The buildings’ advanced energy saving and level of efficiency are evidenced by the reduced amount of energy needed and the use of new sustainable forms of energy.

ACTIVE MEASURES
Use of Renewable Forms of Energy:
- Geothermal ground-air heat exchanger system.
- High performance solar thermal panels for use with absorption equipment.
- Photovoltaic solar panels.

Use of Highly Efficient Forms of Energy:
- Micro turbine with exceptional efficiency.
- Air conditioning chillers and absorption system.
- Use of cooling towers in the fan-coil circuit for milder seasons,
resulting in cooling through minimum power consumption.

PASSIVE MEASURES (Biomechanical Design)
Reduction of external thermal load:
- Proper sizing and orientation, allowing for reduced insulation usage in summer and better entry of solar rays in winter.
- The selection of optimal materials for each direction.

Reduction of internal thermal load:
- Night time ventilation.
- Replacement of artificial light with natural light whenever possible.
- Use of energy efficient artificial lighting.
- Automatic reduction of internal lighting brightness depending on the strength of the external light.
 

PROFITABLE
In order to measure the profitability of each energy source, all of the building’s main parameters will be monitored. The energy parameters (efficiency, CO2 emissions) and economic energy consumption data will be taken into account. 

INTERNAL CIRCULATION OF HOT AND COLD WATER
The chillers and heaters will service a network of pipes circulating cold water at 7/12º each way in summer and hot water at 55/45º in winter. This water will be channelled through a system of variable flow pumps, including the air conditioners and fan coil units, which will treat the air before sending it to each floor.

COMPLIANCE WITH THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE BUILDING CODE
All of our planned buildings not only meet the basic CTE standards, but also include a set of improvements that consistently allow us to attain an “A” in energy use.

AIR DISTRIBUTION
To improve overall energy efficiency, the control system allows us to circulate air from either the geothermal heat exchanger or from outside. The air flow inside the building is through diffusion displacement.

ABSORPTION WATER COOLING EQUIPMENT
In addition to the conventional equipment used for the production of cold water for air conditioning units, special chillers were also incorporated and which work with the absorption cycle and help increase the efficiency of all of the system’s production equipment.

Cogeneration Equipment
This equipment simultaneously produces:
- Thermal energy in the form of hot water, with temperatures ranging from 80/85º.
- Electricity that, unlike the electricity from the photovoltaic panels, is discharged directly into the electrical network.

Geothermal Ground-Air Exchanger System

The use of geothermal energy can consistently produce power throughout the entire year. To do so, the system takes in outside air and channels it to a certain underground depth. The exchanger heats or cools it, then sends it into the building. The main air is pre-treated through this exchanger so that air is warmed in the winter and cooled in the summer. It is then mixed in the return air supply systems.
Thermal Solar Panels

Thermal energy from the solar panels will be used to power the absorption unit’s hotspot and assist in Sanitary Hot Water production.