POCACITO - Germany

Efficiency House Plus with Electromobility

clf — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:32:11 +0000

The Efficiency House Plus with Electromobility represents the prototype smart building developed within the framework of the new energy-efficient construction program presented by the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development. The newly created program intends to test the latest construction and energy components on buildings in real-world conditions, and thus prepare recommendations for their on-going development and to further improve their economic viability. The high-tech prototype Efficiency House Plus with Electromobility is a compact and glazed two-storey house based on the newest energy standards, which generates its own energy for user consumption and vehicle charging. Based on “smart” housing principles by using the latest and efficient energy and material features, the Efficiency House Plus with Electromobility demonstrates the feasibility of synergies between “smart” housing and the use of electric vehicles.

BIQ House+SolarLeaf - the use of microalgae

clf — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 13:35:55 +0000

The BIQ (Bio Intelligent Quotient) house represents the world’s first pilot project for the implementation of a bio-reactive façade in residential buildings. The bio-reactive façade, called SolarLeaf, generates renewable energy from algal biomass and solar thermal heat. In particular, the BIQ house in Hamburg has 200 m² of algae filled bio-reactive paneling, which supplies the building with all of the energy it needs while reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 6 tons per year. This pilot project exemplifies a building integrated system absorbing CO₂ emissions, while cultivating microalgae to generate biomass and heat as renewable energy resources. The environment for photosynthesis is provided by glass photo-bioreactors installed on the south-west and south-east sides. At the same time, this innovative system integrates additional functionalities such as dynamic shading, thermal insulation and noise abatement, highlighting the full potential of this technology. Through this system, the BIQ house can produce energy in a carbon neautral way while working at the same time as a carbon sink through the use of algae for capturing CO₂. For these reasons, it represents a good practice for future building development to promote a low-carbon urban future and shape better cities in which to live and work.

District Heating Network & CHP

clf — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 14:12:42 +0000

The Rostock district heating network now supplies more than 60% of households with heat and hot water. The main energy source is a combined heat and power (CHP) natural gas plant. Since 1994, the waste heat from a bituminous coal power plant is also used. Centrally produced and distributed energy from a district heating network is more efficient and less air-polluting than having single oil-fired furnaces in every household. In 2007, the City of Rostock released a regulation “Fernwärmesatzung“, which states that every household has the obligation to connect to the heating network, unless other environmentally friendly heating systems were installed. In 2014, Rostock decided on a climate protection masterplan to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 95%. This includes reaching very ambitious renewable energy targets by 2050. The energy sources for the district heating system will change to renewables as soon as the existing plants need to be replaced. The district heating network is ready for renewable energy.

Energy Alliance

clf — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 13:26:49 +0000

The Rostock Energy Alliance (Energiebündnis Rostock) was founded in April 2011 by the City of Rostock and nine other municipal stakeholders from sectors such as public transport, housing and waste and water management. Their united goal is a locally based energy supply fully sourced from renewables. While CO₂ emissions should be reduced, quality of life should not. The Alliance meets face-to-face biannually to exchange knowledge and experience, as well as to seek synergies for various constituent activities. The Alliance aims to reduce the annual CO₂ emission per person to 2.5t or less by 2030. Compared to 2010, this is equal to a 2% reduction per year. To date (2015), the Energy Alliance supported the city in the creation of an energy transition concept and the current implementation of associated measures, in addition to the foundation of an energy cooperative.