Tapping into heaven and earth
How renewable energies are utilised in the Technology Park Adlershof
In Adlershof, solar energy is on the brink of breaking a new local record. At the latest in June, tenants will be able to move into the offices and laboratories of the new photovoltaics centre covering 8,000 square metres. This building will then contribute its rooftop solar modules for a total of 32 photovoltaic installations in Adlershof, delivering a rated power of over 2 MW in total. The “Adlershof solar power station” is the most prominent example for the utilisation of renewable energies in the Technology Park.
Ever since the first solar installation was put into operation in 1998 on the facade of the Environmental, Bio‑ and Energy Technology Centre (ZBU1), Adlershof has been home to a growing number of innovative solar energy systems. Some examples are the thin film solar cells of copper indium sulphide integrated in the glass facade of the Soltecture GmbH office building or the bifacial cells on the Studio H building in the Media City whose two active sides have a greater energy yield than the usual unifacial designs.
Yet Adlershof also utilises renewable energy sources that are not solar based. Since 2011, the electronics company FUSS-EMV has been operating a heat pump that draws its energy from twenty earth probes at depths of nearly 100 metres. “We can therefore provide 99 percent of our heat supply to our latest production halls of 4,500 square metres,” reported Managing Director Volker Keddig. FUSS-EMV intends to use the savings in heating costs to finance the investment of Euro 40,000–50,000. “We’re still waiting for the first bill, but we’re confident that we can reduce our heating costs by 50 percent,” claimed Keddig. FUSS-EMV is so convinced of this technology that it has already drilled a dozen holes for the third, 3,000 square metres section of their building.
Soon the drillers in Adlershof could penetrate even further underground. According to Bernd Ludwig of the operating company WISTA-MANAGEMENT, there are currently investigations underway for so called deep geothermics beyond the 100 metre line. These drill holes are more complex than for near surface geothermics and must be approved under mining legislation. Nevertheless they promise a greater energy yield. When these plans are realised, the underground heat could be fed centrally into the local heating grid for the Technology Park.
By Manuel Berkel for Adlershof Special