HIGH TECH – LOW EX: For the future of energy eficiency
An interview with Beate Mekiffer, head of this pilot project in Adlershof, one of the largest inner city development areas in Europe
Why does Adlershof need a new energy concept?
Recent years have seen a huge boost to growth in Adlershof, and its energy needs will grow in line with the resulting expansions. Investors of today and tomorrow want to work on an energy efficient basis and save costs, and for this we must create the necessary environment. The legal provisions for energysavings must be fulfilled. Not least of all, we cannot justify our image as a high tech location when we do not adopt a pioneering role here.
What are the targets the project is supposed to achieve?
We predicted that the primary energy needs will grow from the present 360 GWh to about 825 GWh in 2020 when the location operates at full power without a new energy concept. We intend to reduce this consumption by at least 30 percent, test new energy saving technologies and create transferable planning instruments. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics, the joint project of the TU Berlin, BTB, and WISTA-MANAGEMENT GmbH is creating a model for the turnaround in energy policy, the utilisation of renewable energies, and the implementation of energy efficiency measures.
How do you intend to achieve that?
We’re still in the concept phase, but so far we have identified the fields with the greatest efficiency potential, amongst other things. These include improvements of the primary energy factor for the electricity supply, new concepts for air conditioning, e.g. in the form of new storage setups, and intelligent networking as well as control. Also, we must not neglect research into acceptance and the integration of the involved groups.
Can you name some examples?
One successful example of reduced electricity consumption by air conditioning systems is provided by the physics building with its facade greening cover and cooling system that utilises the evaporative cold of water. Electricity for Adlershof is also being produced by means of cogeneration. We intend to reroute the excess heat generated in summer to efficient absorption refrigeration machines. Also so-called aquifers, i.e. rock strata bearing groundwater, are to serve as seasonal buffers for heat and cold. Wind energy from the surrounding area could be converted into cold that can then be stored there. In particular, energy networking and energy management will adopt a major role at the location in future.
What’s the next step for the project?
This year we are planning to launch the first subprojects. In 2018, these will then be followed by further technical projects and a subsequent phase of project monitoring.
By Andreas Heins for Adlershof Special