Utrecht - zero-energy building.
The design of the new Econcern office building in Utrecht (the Netherlands) is a good example of a sustainable building with a zero energy balance.
Ecofys, a part of Econcern group, designed the neutral-energy office building for the company, in which only renewable energy sources will be used. The building will be about 80m high and will have 22 floors. Each floor will have about 640 m2 of total surface, which sums up to about 16,000 m2.
Electricity and heat will be generated in a CHP unit supplied with biofuels in this office building. Additionally, integrated PV cell systems and a wind turbine, installed next to the building, will provide auxiliary electricity sources.
The building has a good thermal insulation and uses natural daylight for interior lighting.
This design constitutes a major step forward in sustainable energy construction. Is it possible that such buildings will be more common in the near future? Let’s hope for the best…
Polish