Systemair Hellas fulfilled the industrial ventilation needs of two converter stations and one substation supporting the direct electrical interconnection between Attica and Crete for Ariadne Interconnection.
Case Study: Ariadne Interconnection, Greece
Systemair Hellas was engaged with the Ariadne Interconnection project early on, contributing from the design stages to address the complex project’s unique operational requirements effectively and facilitating delivery to Damasta on the island of Crete, a key concern for the client.
Systemair Geniox AHUs provide several key advantages, including compact dimensions, optimal configuration, and robust panel protection on the AHU casing, ensuring long-term performance in coastal and heavy industrial environments.
Due to high-temperature spikes during operation, managing cooling demands while maintaining humidity levels was a key issue that had to be addressed. Effective filtration was also necessary to protect and maintain clean supply air in heavy industrial and dusty environments.
Compliance was critical for stakeholders, and solutions were chosen because they met the latest regulatory requirements and were supported by the necessary certifications.
The Geniox AHUs' plug-and-play feature was crucial as the units needed to operate before installing the main equipment to maintain clean room conditions and ensure proper ventilation.
The Ariadne Interconnection S.P.S.A. is bringing the Crete-Attica connection to life by implementing Stage II of the interconnection between Crete and the Hellenic Power Transmission System (HPTS). This will be achieved through a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link, with 1000 MW (2 x 500 MW) power stations operating at a voltage of +/- 500 kV DC in Koumoudourou, Athens and Damasta on the island of Crete. The project is considered the largest in the history of Greece’s electrical system, delivering significant economic and environmental benefits for all citizens.
TERNA S. serves as the project's main contractor. Founded in 1972, the company has completed numerous high-value public and private sector projects, including railway networks, hydroelectric plants, hospitals, and industrial facilities. Its 1999 merger with GEK S.A. strengthened its position, enabling the organisation to deliver large-scale projects more efficiently and reinforce its industry leadership. The expertise of the main consultant, C&M Engineering, and the developers and operators, including Dermitzakis Delta Ducts, AirKat, and Ariadne Interconnection, further supported the project. Systemair was chosen to meet the power stations’ industrial ventilation requirements.
Systemair Hellas addressed the ventilation needs of two converter stations and one substation for the Crete-Attica connection. The client’s primary objectives included ensuring air purity, maintaining a clean indoor environment, and regulating temperature and humidity levels amid high-temperature spikes during operation —all essential for the optimal functioning of the converter station’s large electrical buildings.
The project's proximity to heavy industrial and coastal environments required special considerations. Effective filtration was crucial to protecting and maintaining clean supply air in dusty industrial conditions, while corrosion protection for the AHU casing was essential for long-term operation in this harsh environment. Additionally, the unit dimensions had to align with air duct inlets and outlets, requiring modular units with a compact footprint to fit the specific positioning needs.
The client requested that the ventilation units operate before the main equipment installation to maintain clean room conditions and ensure proper ventilation during installation and commissioning. The Geniox AHUs' Plug and Play feature played a key role, allowing easy adaptation to meet final operational requirements.
Due to the project's complex nature, compliance with the latest regulatory standards was important, and Systemair Hellas ensured the address of all necessary documentation supported with up-to-date certification. Finally, the team facilitated the delivery of the units to Damasta on the island of Crete, which was a key concern for the client.
Systemair Hellas was committed to embodying its commitment to supporting customers from design to completion, engaging with the Ariadni project four years before the final purchase. This allowed us to contribute to the design, ensuring that we met operational and special demands, which led to our products being specified as early as 2020.
Ultimately, Systemair Hellas delivered 26 Geniox AHUs having a total air volume of 1.450.000 m3/h, 13 per station, each equipped with 3-stage filtering, including HEPA filters, VSD plug fans, cooling coils, electrical resistances for heating, control system panels, and mixing boxes. These solutions fully met the project’s requirements, with C5 casing protection, Plug & Play capability, and optimal configuration to ensure perfect dimensional compliance. Our CAD AHU selection program ensured the units met all operational requirements.
Our strong relationship and the customer’s trust in our ability to deliver all necessary certifications and documentation for this demanding project also set us apart. The AHUs with the required dimensions were delivered according to the official project schedule, ensuring no competitors could meet the exact specifications with their standard products for such a timeline.
The competitive pricing, coupled with strong support from the Systemair Spain factory, was instrumental in securing the customer's decision. In industrial projects like this, success hinges not just on energy efficiency but also on product reliability, customer trust, certifications, and a smooth installation process, ensuring seamless operation and long-term, trouble-free performance.
Managing Director, Systemair Hellas