Economical and reliable supply
Adlershof’s energy concept 2020+ is targeting the 30% reduction of primary energy consumption
Adlershof is growing – and growing at the same time are the energy supply requirements for the Technology Park. “It was forecast a few years ago that the networks in future could be beset with supply problems, so WISTA-MANAGEMENT GMBH decided to subject this to a thorough investigation and develop a single-source plan for future energy needs,” explained Frank Wittwer of Adlershof Projekt GmbH. The outcome is the energy concept 2020+.
What makes this concept so special is that it is not restricted to the energy efficiency of individual buildings, but views the whole Adlershof area, i.e. the 420 hectares of urban development measures plus the 47 hectares covered by the “Gleislinse”, the former freight station Schöneweide. This model venture includes not only Adlershof Projekt and the Berlin Senate Department for Urban Development, but also the TU Berlin and Megawatt Ingenieurgesellschaft für Wärme- und Energietechnik mbH. Likewise involved are the current utilities for the area Stromnetz Berlin GmbH and ENB Energienetze Berlin GmbH, BTB for district heating and cold, and nbb/Gasag for gas). The project is sponsored by the EnEff:Stadt programme (research for the energy efficient city) of the Federal Ministry of Economics.
“With this concept we also intend to safeguard supply reliability and include the as yet undeveloped areas in the early phases of energy planning,” explained Dominique Sandten, currently consultant for Adlershof Projekt at the Berlin Senate Department for Urban Development and the Environment. The time horizon there-fore extends to the expected full utilisation of the area’s capacities in 2026–2032. Those involved in the project are therefore faced with the challenge of developing a concept that is open to future developments on e.g. the technical and legal levels.
A definite fact so far: the electricity supply is the most important lever for improving the energy balance. The reason: In future too, there will be a considerably larger number of commercial buildings than residential units in Adlershof, and commercial enterprises consume a lot of electricity and cold, but relatively little heat. As a consequence, according to Frank Wittwer, there are considerations in favour of using more absorption type refrigerators that convert heat into cold – with the effect that there is now demand for heat generated by combined heat and power (CHP) stations.
According to an investigation conducted by Megawatt, five core measures could basically provide crucial contributions towards achieving the project goal. These are improved lighting installations in the building stock, the construction of a biomethane CHP station, enhanced energy efficiency in buildings, the setup of an energy buying syndicate, and energy consultation.
There are definite plans to realize the last item from 2014. “Commissioned for this specific purpose, an energy manager will see to everything, advising the property owners and including all stakeholders,” explained Leonardo Estrada, authorized signatory at Megawatt. This is important because about 120 owners, 460 buildings, and 950 companies are present in Adlershof and hence affected by the new energy concept. “We won’t be forcing anybody to do anything, but try to win their conviction,” assured Frank Wittwer of Adlershof Projekt – after all, low energy costs and a good carbon footprint are also in the companies’ interests. Wittwer is convinced: “The Adlershof partners are part of an excellent network and so provide an outstanding environment for an interdisciplinary energy concept of this kind.”
Yet the sights are set beyond the borders of Adlershof. The new energy concept comes with the claim of transferring its elements to other locations as well, like Tempelhof and Tegel.
By Christian Hunziker for Adlershof Special