A consortium called the Powerhouse Alliance has announced it will construct Norway’s first energy-positive commercial building, which will also be the northern-most development of its kind in the world.
With around 40% of the world’s energy demand going towards the construction and operation of buildings; carbon neutrality is an important goal. However, some are already looking past neutrality and towards using buildings as power sources rather than just consumers. An energy positive building is one that not only creates enough energy for its own functions, but also exports electricity to the mains grid.
Norway’s climate presents some unique challenges for construction of such a building and while solar panels will play an important role in electricity production, seasonal variations mean that solar power can’t be the only energy source. Additional renewable energy technologies such as geothermal heat pumps will be incorporated.
“The project will set new national and international standards for how to create energy-efficient and energy-positive buildings, and this will be a perfect building for a tenant who is actively engaged in environmental issues.” said Kyrre Olaf Johansen, head of Entra – one of the Alliance partners.
Brattørkaia AS, with Entra Eiendom as a majority owner, will own the building; while Skanska will be the general contractor. Snøhetta will design the building and Hydro will supply energy-efficient aluminium façades. ZERO, a Norway-based environmental group, will also consult on the project.
The Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, Trond Giske, has praised the initiative. “This project can have great significance when it comes to technical solutions that reduce energy consumption in buildings. I am happy that Hydro and Entra Eiendom – with their knowledge – can contribute to developing new environmentally friendly solutions.”
The building, “Powerhouse One” will be centrally located in the Brattøra district of Trondheim. Foundation work has already commenced and the building could be ready for its first tenants in the middle of 2013. The Powerhouse Alliance is also planning other energy-positive buildings.
