Green Living in EuropeReport Eco buildingHamburg – Bergen 2012-2014

Heinrich-Hertz-Schule16.4.2013

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Content:Introduction:______________________________________________page 3

Report from Hamburg:______________________________________________page 4

Energy consumption:_______________________________________________page 5

Bergen Handelsgymnasium and Heinrich-Hertz-Schule:____________________page 5

Interview with Headmaster:___________________________________________page 7

Sources:_________________________________________________________________page 10

Julian, Daria, Martin, Emre, Magnus (Bergen Handelsgymnasium 18.9.2013)

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Introduction:

Our central question was how are we supposed to make buildings more environmental? During the visit from Hamburg we have been working together to answer this question. We have been visiting schools, recycling centres, student apartments and environmental shops. In this report we will compare certain aspects of environmental buildings in Hamburg and Bergen, as well as explaining different energy-saving systems in Bergen.

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Report from Hamburg 25.4.13

In this report, we have covered buildings in Hamburg. We especially considered how Buildings in the district HafenCity meet the requirements of an environmentally friendly society. To be considered environmentally friendly, a building must score high on following points:• It should have an organic architecture• It should help to reduce the energy demand• It should be build from environmentally friendly materials

In order to check for these points, we traveled through Hamburg on multiple excursion trips .

What perhaps impressed us most in Hamburg was the world famous district of HafenCity. Every building in this district must be approved by the authorities before it can be built.

The requirements are:

The building must have an architecture adapted to modern practical solutions. Examples of these are for example building vertically to save space, designing buildings so that they feature customized and efficient energy solutions, etc.

The building must have a limited energy consumption. The energy consumption can be limited by the use of improved insulation and new heating systems. An example of the latter is district heating, where heat from industrial machines is used to heat water, which is then sent through well- insulated pipes to residential buildings. The tubes inside the building are not insulated, so that heat emits to heat up the building. The water is then sent back to the heat source.

The building must consist of materials that are not hazardous to the environment. The material should therefore not contain contaminants.

This model makes the district a trend-setting example for the rest of the world. Unfortunately, these rules do not yet apply to the rest of Hamburg. A large part of the city (eg. St. Pauli ) consists of old and somewhat poorly insulated buildings. It is a lot of work to modernize these old buildings . They are part of the city's heritage though, and it is therefore important that the buildings can be preserved while lowering emissions.

Consequently we can conclude that the buildings in HafenCity are a good example of how buildings can be designed , built and used in a climate friendly way. They rise an awareness on energy efficiency In HafenCity and the importance of recycling materials . They are plans to expand the construction model of HafenCity, and we can not wait to see how result looks like in a couple of years.

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Is HafenCity with its buildings a good example of an ecological world?

In order to answer this question, we had to agree upon some points that define an ecological building, and came up with the following requirements:

• It should utilize an ecological architecture that reduces energy consumption.• The building should be constructed in a way that reduces the amount of waste left

over from construction.• The building should mostly consist of ecological materials.

Energy consumption

One of the major problems for the environment is the energy consumption of buildings. The constructors of the buildings in HafenCity have realized innovative ideas in an attempt to solve this problem. The buildings in HafenCity have lots of windows. As a consequence they make good use of the thermal energy from the sun. At the same time, the buildings are well isolated. This limits the amount of energy necessary to heat the buildings during winter as well as the energy required to cool them in the summer. Another idea is the introduction of fuel cells. Lots of energy is lost during the transportation of thermal Energy.

BHG and Heinrich-Hertz- Schule

Since about 7 years, the BHG school in Bergen is connected to the warm water heating system of BIR, which has optimized the heating efficiency. Also, the windows are now double, which means they are better isolated. In addition to the measures already mentioned, BHG has been particularly concerned about recycling waste, which is collected in a container in the backyard before it is transported to BIR. In relation to its efforts to make the schools' buildings more environmental friendly, the school have been awarded the lowest grade of the Green Flag Award. A better heating system, with the option to control it better relative to outside temperatures and seasons, could have made BHG even more environmental. Although environmental friendly light bulbs also could have helped, there have been no discussion with regards to the use of such light bulbs yet.

At Heinrich-Hertz-Schule, solar panels have been placed on the roof to help supply the School with electricity. They are not effective enough to cover the energy consumption of the entire school, but they certainly does their part in lowering the costs and environmental impact of the schools' energy consumption. The teachers, as well as the students, are themselves inclined to take measures to save energy when they are at the school.

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Heinrich-Hertz-Schule 16.4.2013

BHG HHSHeated by BIR

Recycling waste

Lowest grade of Green Flag Award

Old building

Electricity supplied by solar panles

Environmental awareness among both students and teachers

Highest grade of Green Flag Award

Old building

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Conclusion

Through the cooperation between the students from Hamburg and the students from Bergen, we have both learned a lot about environmental measures in relation to buildings. It is hard to compare the two cities Bergen and Hamburg though, because Bergen is quite small and the citizens are relatively rich, while Hamburg is a lot larger. Therefore, although Bergen and Hamburg share a lot of the same problems in relation to housing, more can be done, and has been done, due to the differences stated above. We have also seen that buildings like BHG and Heinrich-Hertz-Schule, in despite of being quite old, have been able to still become more environmental.

Interview with Headmaster (Attachment)

September 11th, we went on an excursion with our co-workers from Hamburg. After an interview with the headmaster at BHG, we left for the recycling centre in rådalen outside Bergen. On our way back we visited Nestunvannet Terasse.

What renovations have been actualized on BHG to make it more environmental?

About 7 or 8 years ago, the School was connected to the warm water heating system of BIR, which has optimized the heating efficiency. Also, the windows are now double, which means they are better at isolating heat.

What is environmental about BHG?

In addition to the measures already mentioned, BHG has been particularly concerned with recycling waste, which is collected in a container in the backyard before it is transported to BIR. In relation to our efforts to make BHG more environmental, we have been awarded the lowest grade of the Green Flag Award.

What could have been made more environmental about BHG (given economic freedom)?

A better heating system, with the option to control it better relative to outside temperatures and seasons, would have made BHG more environmental.

Has there been any concern about the lighting system, e.g. environmental light bulbs?

There has been no discussion with regards to the use of more environmental light bulbs.

After we finished our interview with the headmaster, we left BHG and headed for the recycling centre in Rådalen. The waste to energy – plant there is owned by BIR (Bergen Intekommunale Renovasjonsselskap). BIR is responsible for collecting garbage in 9 municipalities in Hordaland,

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including Bergen. The plant produces energy by using the heat created when burning garbage to vaporize water. When vaporized, the water expands and the resulting pressure is used to create motion in a turbine, which generates electricity. After moving through the turbine, the still hot steam is used to heat water, which is then sent through isolated tubes to buildings in Bergen. Examples of buildings connected to this water heating network, are Haukeland Hospital and BHG.

Large amounts of ashes are produced when burning garbage. These ashes contain large amounts of metal and melted glass. These materials are separated from the ashes and recycled. Several poisonous and polluting gasses and large amounts of hazardous particles are released into the air when burning the garbage. The waste to energy - plant has one of the most effective air cleaning systems in the world. The first step of the cleaning process is adding ammonia to the smoke. The dangerous NOx gasses in the smoke will then react with the ammonia as shown in the following

chemical equation: 4NOx+4NH3+2O2=>4N2+6H2O

Afterwards, lime (not the citrus fruit) and active carbon is added to the smoke. Heavy metals in the smoke are “captured” by the large surface of the active carbon, and different types of acid react with the limestone. The remaining dust is then filtered. Finally, the air is showered with water. Simple but effectively, the last remaining pollution is captured by the water, which is easier to clean. The filtered limestone and active carbon as well as the remaining ashes are sent to an island outside Oslo and stored beneath the surface.

Nesttunvannet Terrasse in Bergen consists of 154 Plus-apartments and is a cooperative project between Teigland Eiendom and Selvaag Bolig. The Plus-Apartments is a new and exciting way of living. By offering Plus-Apartments with service, experiences and safety, the service that we recognize from hotels comes into the housing project.

The Plus-apartments are using a copyrighted concept owned by Selvaag Bolig. Much of the inspiration comes from abroad, but the concept was adapted and changed to suit the Norwegian environment. Thus far, 700 Plus-apartments are located in Norway.

The apartments are located close to the bus terminal and bybanen, and will therefore reduce the need for private cars in the daily life.

The residencies in Nesttunvannet terasse are almost entirely heated by warm water, and not by heating cables. Warm water as a source of heat is much more environmental, because it demands much less electricity.

The architectural structure of the buildings in this complex is quite compact, which makes it easier to collect the waste in shared garbage containers.

The isolation used in these buildings is one of the products of Sundolitt. Sundolitt Isolation is about 20 % more effective than regular isolation of the same size at confining heat within the building. The isolation is approved by Embalasjekonvensjonen, the Norwegian Convention of Packaging, with regards to the environmental qualities of this product.

BIR is a quite ambitious solution to the problems related to waste, energy and heating. Nesttunvannet Terasse is an innovative solution to the problems related to housing and buildings. BHG is an old school, thus it is quite hard to make structural changes that would make it more environmental. Anyway, most of the things that can be done have been done.

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What renovations have been actualized on BHG to make it more environmental?

About 7 or 8 years ago, the School was connected to the warm water heating system of BIR, which has optimized the heating efficiency. Also, the windows are now double, which means they are better at isolating heat.

What is environmental about BHG?

In addition to the measures already mentioned, BHG has been particularly concerned with recycling waste, which is collected in a container in the backyard before it is transported to BIR. In relation to our efforts to make BHG more environmental, we have been awarded the lowest grade of the Green Flag Award.

What could have been made more environmental about BHG (given economic freedom)?

A better heating system, with the option to control it better relative to outside temperatures and seasons, would have made BHG more environmental.

Has there been any concern about the lighting system, e.g. environmental light bulbs?

There has been no discussion with regards to the use of more environmental light bulbs.

ConclusionBIR is a quite ambitious solution to the problems related to waste,energy and heating. Nesttunvannet Terasse is an innovative solution to the problems related to housing and buildings.BHG is an old school, thus it is quite hard to make too grand changes that would make it more environmental. But most of the things that can be done have been done.

Thank you for the attention!

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Sources:

• http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/sub/framtidensbyer/forside.html?id=551422 (13.10.12)

• http://www.eea.europa.eu/ (12.10.12)

• http://www.bellona.org/filearchive/ fil_Postulates_to_the_national_action_plan_on_energy_efficiency.pdf (16.10.12)

• http://www.selvaagbolig.no/boligprosjekter/Nesttunvannet-Terrasse/ (12.10.12)

• http://www.bellona.org/news/news_2009/buildings_zero_energy (16.10.12

• http://www.byggebolig.no/bad-vatrom-og-rorlegger/hvilken-vannoppvarming-er-best (13.10.12)

• http://www.klif.no/artikkel____41973.aspx (15.10.12

• http://www.hvv.de/ (25.05.13)

• http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburger_Verkehrsverbund   (25.04.13)

• http://www.skyss.no     (12.9.13)

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