Mural with Virtual Power Station
Basic information
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Project Description
The mural with a digital display is one of the projects that make up the Wawer’s Claster of Energy. It is an element of activities aimed at struggling for a clean natural environment in Warsaw. The installation shows the residents how much money has been saved through renewable energy sources. Every resident of Wawer who has a photovoltaic installation in their home can connect to the Virtual Power Display. This action connects the direct efforts for green energy with its measurable results.
Geographical Scope
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Urban or rural issues
Physical or other transformations
EU Programme or fund
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Description of the project
Summary
The mural with a digital display is one of the elements of the Wawer Virtual Power Station - a project that aims to promote renewable energy sources among the residents of the district. Wawer, as the outskirts of the metropolis, struggles with the problem of smog. Replacing old stoves and promoting renewable energy sources is one of the priorities for the district authorities. Presentation of the specific benefits of alternative energy sources seems to be the best way to promote them, and ultimately is a tool in the fight for clean air in the district.
Wawer is a district that has joined the fight for clean air in a special way; takes steps to improve its quality. The Wawer district undertakes numerous educational activities in the field of ecology, implemented on several levels, aimed at various groups of recipients.
Installing renewable energy sources, replacement of "soot" in public buildings and intensive promotion, replacement of ineffective boilers in private homes, education in the field of renewable energy, setting up rain gardens and small retention - these are just some of the activities undertaken in the district.
Thanks to the display on the wall of the Wawer Town Hall, the residents of the district can see the benefits of ecological energy sources. The amount of electricity obtained from photovoltaic panels placed on public buildings in the district is converted daily according to established algorithms and presented in the form of values that this method of obtaining energy brings to the district, but it can also bring every resident.
This installation is a symbol of efforts to ensure that Warsaw residents breathe clean air as soon as possible.
Key objectives for sustainability
The aim of the project is to fight for clean air in the district. Old, ineffective, non-ecological heating sources for homes are one of the main causes of pollution and the emerging smog. Increasing the amount of renewable energy sources, in addition to replacing heating stoves with modern ones that meet appropriate standards, is one of the most important tasks in the fight against smog, and therefore in the fight for the health of the district's residents.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The mural, with an electronic display showing the values to which electricity obtained from renewable energy sources can be converted, was designed by artists responsible for the preparation of the visual identification of the district. The graphic style of identification was developed on the basis of a multi-stage process, taking into account the participation of many groups of stakeholders, qualitative and quantitative research of the district, workshops with officials and residents. The proposed system of icons, pictograms, logos, colors, typefaces, etc. - reflects the most important values of the district and emphasizes the resources that Wawer has. The mural is located in the immediate vicinity of the Town Hall, on which there is a neon sign with the name of the Town Hall, and another mural with a map of the district. All three elements form a whole and harmonize with each other within the form.
The design of the visual identification of the district gained recognition, winning prizes in the most important competitions for Polish design: an award in the "Dobry Wzór 2021" competition and an award in the "Kreatury 2021" competition.
The project of the "Virtual Power Station" and the presentation of its results will be an inspiration for other districts of Warsaw to invest in the promotion of renewable energy.
Key objectives for inclusion
The design of the mural is also an invitation for residents to join the Virtual Power Station project. Each resident who has renewable energy sources in his home can "join" the Wawer Virtual Power Station by adding information about the energy he/she produces to the general pool of the produced energy in the district thanks to photovoltaic panels. This is a great example of pro ecological action and measurable reaction for those who really care of green power.
Results in relation to category
The mural of the Virtual Power Station is placed in the central, representative place of the district, in the immediate vicinity of the district Town Hall. Placing the mural in such a place indicates the importance of the topic of ecology and renewable energy sources among the activities undertaken by the district board. This project, in combination with other activities in the area of ecology, gives the residents of the district the feeling that the fight for a clean environment (one of the most important values indicated by residents in quantitative and qualitative research) is a priority for the authorities that the opinion of the residents counts and is they influence the actions taken by the City.
How Citizens benefit
At the next stages of the project, all residents who have their own renewable energy sources, will be able to join to Virtual Power Station. Technically, it is possible now, but promotional and information campaigns about the benefits of joing the project are necessary – this will make it possible to reach the residents and involve them in this project.
„Virtual Power Station” is an open project, which is prepared with the residents of the district in mind. The project can accommodate to the level of environmental awareness of the residents, their commitment etc. The first stage of the project is mainly focused on the promotion of renewable energy sources. At the next stage, the Virtual Power Station is to show how much clean electricity is produces by the entire district – Town Hall and all residents of the Wawer district.
Physical or other transformations
Innovative character
The Virtual Power Station with the mural are unprecedented actions in the city and even in the country. Renenewable energy sources are presented and promoted among the residents in a modern way. It shows the specific profit that the residents can obtain, for example through the use of photovoltaics. The financial saving and smog reduction – they are the values, which change every day and are presented on the mural in the immediate neighborhood of the district Town Hall.
Learning transferred to other parties
The assumptions of the project can be replicated in an easy way anywhere, where is the network of photovoltaic panels. Presentation of the values, which are given by renewable energy sources, in an available, understandable and attractive way for the residents of the district, is the essence of the project of the mural.
