CASTELLI DI CANNERO
The Project
2025
Hospitality
The story of a major project: bringing the Castelli di Cannero back to life with technology—a lakeside fortress from the early 1400s.
The operation began in spring 2018 when the property owner, together with the design firm, involved us in technical assessments to reconcile the need for modern lighting, safety, and energy management systems with the enhancement of the historic site while preserving its architectural identity and environment.
Phase One
A first challenge was the construction of the 400 kW transformer substation, providing power for the lighting systems, water treatment plants, and air conditioning.
The transformer substation was designed, adapted, and built respecting the original structure of the Castle. It consists of a medium-voltage panel, low-voltage electrical panels, and a 15000/400V 400kW transformer.
A 100 kW emergency diesel generator with automatic start-up restores power to all essential parts of the island within 12 seconds in the event of a power failure, while two UPS units with a total capacity of 30 kW maintain online power to all sensitive and vital systems.
Phase Two
Detailed design and construction of electrical panels for the reception and museum technology areas, incorporating KNX modules for system management and energy monitoring and metering.
Installation of the main infrastructure with underground conduit networks for power cables serving the technology, museum lighting, and scenic lighting systems. Special fire-resistant cables type FG16OM16 and fire-resistant power cables for safety and emergency lighting systems type FTG18OM16 were used.
Phase Three
All technical systems are managed and remotely controlled by Siemens equipment (Desigo platform), lighting scenarios use the KNX communication system, and emergency lighting uses Din devices, with 7 static groups complete with backup batteries for online power supply to all emergency lighting, escape routes, and part of the ordinary museum lighting.
In collaboration with the construction management and Floss, we developed the design and installation of the distribution system using equipped totems for ordinary lighting with Floss fixtures and emergency lighting with Din equipment.
The video surveillance system was installed with CARRIER ultra-high-resolution cameras.
The system is supported by a multimode fiber optic communication network and cables for high-humidity environments type UTP CAT.6, BTnet data rack panels, and Wi-Fi system communication cells.
Phase Four
The detailed design of the medium-voltage receiving substation on the mainland is approved.
Concurrently with the construction of the structure, agreements are reached with E-Distribuzione, the ABB medium-voltage panel with sulfur hexafluoride circuit breaker is installed, and preparations are made for connecting the underwater cable.
Once the receiving facility is equipped with electrical systems, the data infrastructure is also prepared for future connection to the national fiber optic network with panels and equipment for terminating the multimode fiber optic cable for the Castelli connection.
Cable Connection of the Castelli di Cannero to the Mainland
In September 2024, after careful evaluation of distance, depth, and seabed type, the Prysmian RG7H1OEFE3X50mm+12 fiber underwater cable is selected and ordered.
The cable is delivered to us in May 2025, and installation on the lakebed is scheduled for May 23. The highly delicate operation involves us in collaboration with Aedes contractors and Comar, a company specializing in underwater work.
Subsequently, medium-voltage and fiber optic terminations are completed, and ground resistance measurements are performed with Equa to ensure safety.
On June 9, 2025, the Castelli di Cannero are permanently energized!
To date, some numbers:
- 1 transformer V.15000/400 kW 400
- 1 automatic diesel generator 100kW
- 2 UPS units 10 kW and 20 kW
- 30,000 meters of cables with special fire reaction and fire resistance
- 4,000 meters of category 6 data transmission cables
- 4,000 meters of fire-resistant cable for safety and fire detection systems
- 486 meters of underwater cable in medium voltage and fiber optics
- 12 electrical panels
- 85 detectors (dual technology, optical smoke, dual-technology wireless volumetric)
- 40 ultra-high-resolution cameras
