Photo: Tao Lytzen

Alternative energy in the planning and conceptual stage 

COWI includes integrated energy systems when designing new building projects. In the new Playhouse in Copenhagen, as an example, excess heat from stage lighting and audiences will be stored in the thermo-active concrete structures.
DRByen, the new multi-media house for the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, as another example will require considerable amounts of energy because of its size and functions, especially for cooling. COWI has developed a cooling concept that can reduce electricity consumption for cooling by 75 per cent.

This concept includes multifunctional double façades, groundwater cooling with a cold storage system, and 1,200 m2 of solar cells, which make it the largest solar cell installation in Denmark. The concept has been awarded development support from the EU.

Alternative forms of energy

Recently use of renewable and alternative energy systems have been limited to a number of environment-conscious building projects – and consisted mostly of exploiting solar energy and bio fuels. However, amendments in the national Building Codes in respect to the demands set up in the EU Building Directive will mean that buildings with integrated alternative energy systems will become more widespread.

At the same time, these forms of energy will allow greater architectural freedom, for instance in the use of glass façades.
Photo: Lundgaard og Trandberg arkitekter


This will strengthen the growth of the market for renewable and alternative energy systems, such solar energy, heat pumps, ground water cooling, energy storage, local generation of electricity and alternative façade systems which previously would only have been seen in exceptional projects.

Storage and distribution

Reto Michael Hummelshøj, who is project manager for COWI, points out that energy storage in the soil or in thermo-active concrete structures will be important elements in the development of new alternative energy systems:

"We have been working on these integrated energy solutions both in the Playhouse and in DRByen. By combining different systems we can exploit the energy better. We have to think of better ways to integrate energy exchange, as well as the exploitation of energy, storage and distribution, and how they influence each other," he explains.

Necessary to plan for overall scenarios

Mr. Hummelshøj emphasises the importance of working with solutions that take into account the strengthened requirements for energy performance right from the beginning:

"We have to think in terms of comprehensive systems that allow for developments in legislation, alternative energy solutions and interaction with the supply network.

Otherwise the buildings may rapidly become obsolete, for instance when the next energy-saving schedule is appended to the building regulations," he says.


By Jette Westerdahl and Kristian Sørensen, krso@cowi.com  

Published: 2.2.2006