Archives for August 2017

60 Hectares Norwegian Data Center in Eternal Ice and 100% Renewable

The optical appearance of this exceptionally sustainable data center reminds to a moving glacier

23 August 2017 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: Energy, Featured, Green Building

At first glance, you wouldn’t think it is real. You might think it’s a typing error. But it’s not. Located 140 miles north of the Arctic Circle, the Kolos Data Center is incredible 600,000 square meters (6,450,000 SF) in area. The world’s largest data center, powered by 100% renewable energy, will be constructed in Ballangen, Norway. The opening is planned in 2018 after construction completion by Kolos, a Norwegian and American company with branch offices in Europe and America.

Energy Demand of Norwegian Data Center Kolos 5 to 10 Times Higher Than the Largest Data Centers on Earth

There are plenty examples out there for data centers consuming the same quantity of energy like a small town. When it comes to the quantity, this project is not better. But in case of the mode of generation, Kolos Data Center is completely different. A nearby hydroelectric power station will power the gigantic Norwegian data center with its servers consuming more than 1 gigawatt.

The World’s Most Energy-Hungry Green Building?

Is a Green Building out there with a higher energy demand? According to co-CEO Robinson, there is even room for growth. Up to two gigawatts are possible – renewable of course. In order to get a better feeling: To date, the largest data centers in the world consume 0.1 to 0.2 gigawatts. In comparison, even the recently praised data center from Stockholm Data Parks with a megawatt demand in the double-digits appears like an ant. And even this is not powered with 100% renewable electricity. Kolos Data Center is connected to the US east coast and Europe, via Sweden, through a high-performance fiber.

Norwegian Data Center Kolos harbor areal in Ballangen — (HDR Inc.)

“We analyzed locations around the world and identified Ballangen as unique, due to Norway’s competitive green energy, the country’s cool climate and its large technical workforce, as well as access to international high-performance fiber and the site’s secure moated property,” points out co-CEO of Kolos, Havard Lillebo.

Norwegian Data Center Kolos in Ballangen elevational perspective — (HDR Inc.)

Norwegian Data Center Kolos interior in Ballangen — (HDR Inc.)

Thanks to the architecture and engineering firm HDR Inc., the optical appearance of this exceptionally sustainable data center reminds to a moving glacier. This is quite consistent with this cold area. But as you might expect, there is more to it than optical appearance. The geographic location with its cool temperatures is a decisive factor due to the commonly high cooling demands for data centers. The arctic weather conditions in Ballangen are ideal. The low outdoor air temperature and the cold mountain massive function as a natural cooling resulting in comparable low energy consumption. Also because of this fact, the energy costs can be reduced by about 60%.

Norwegian Data Center From Kolos

“It’s an honor to be part of such a visionary project. Kolos has a deep appreciation for design thinking and the power of design to transform the data center sector,” said HDR’s President of Architecture Doug Wignall. “With this project, they are making a strong statement that in addition to being highly sustainable and technically sophisticated, data centers can also be inspiring pieces of art that are integrated with the community and natural surroundings.”

“Our objective was to integrate the community, surrounding natural beauty, sustainability, performance, security and scalability into the design,” said Kevin LeMans, Principal at HDR Inc.

Gigantic Aurora Solar Energy Project Could Power 90,000 Homes in Australia

19 August 2017 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: Energy, Featured

With the world being ravaged by the deleterious effects of global warming and other harmful human activities and practices, the quest is actively on to find alternative sources of energy that do not damage the planet or slow down human civilization. As various countries worldwide recently announce the phasing out of gasoline-powered vehicles, seek to close down fossil fuel-burning power plants, and enact a host of other energy-saving legislation, a remarkable revolution gathers steam in South Australia.

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The South Australian government announced a $550 million energy plan back in March this year and has been resolutely seeking to go green. Barely 30 days after finalizing plans with green energy giant Tesla to build the biggest lithium-ion battery storage plant in the world near Jamestown, the state government is this August back in the news. And for good reasons. According to it, in line with its stated goals, it will in partnership with SolarReserve set up a single-tower solar thermal power plant that will be the biggest on this green earth.

On site outside Port Augusta where the @solarreserve #solarthermal plant will stretch 3km #renewables #SouthAustralia pic.twitter.com/66LnQEg7Mw
— Jay Weatherill (@JayWeatherill) 15 August 2017

“SolarReserve’s energy storage technology is an excellent fit for the South Australian electricity system,” said SolarReserve’s CEO Kevin Smith. “Aurora will provide much needed capacity and firm energy delivery into the South Australian market to reduce price volatility. SolarReserve looks forward to continuing to work with the South Australian government and stakeholders, including the Port Augusta community where the project is located, to support Federal and State renewable energy targets, stimulate long-term economic development, and create new jobs and businesses.”

Aurora Solar Energy Project

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Planned power output for this huge plant is stated to be 150 megawatts resulting in 495 gigawatt hours generated yearly. And for those who don’t know it, though only a relative newcomer to the green energy scene, SolarReserve is now one of the heavy-hitters in renewable energy projects worldwide, and is well-respected. According to them, the power plant will create 650 direct construction jobs, 4,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs, and will have a life span of around 40 years, with no discernible degradation being experienced.

Aurora Solar Energy Project in Australia in the desert north of Port Augusta — (SolarReserve)

The planned power plant has been given the grandiloquent name of Aurora Solar Energy Project. The design is to be based on the innovative Rice Solar Energy Project in ever sunny California that has been indefinitely shelved, owing to tax-related difficulties. Thus, solar energy will be gathered by thousands of mirrors and then focused by heliostats directly to a receiver on top of a 227 meters high central tower. There, the energy is used to power a turbine to produce electricity and is also stored by a rather exotic molten salt technology in the form of heat.

“The Port Augusta story is a stark example of the transition of the South Australian economy, with the closure of a dirty coal-fired power station, and now the commissioning of this world leading renewable energy project,” said South Australia’s Premier Jay Weatherill.

“The Aurora Solar Energy Project will also create new, advanced employment opportunities in regional South Australia,” said South Australia’s Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis. “We are using our energy plan to drive investment and jobs in this growing sector.”

Aurora Solar Energy Project Will Be Able to Meet Around 5% of the Energy Needs of South Australia

Storage of up to 1,100 MW or 8 hours of full load is possible. As a result, the plant can ceaselessly output power day and night. But will mostly be used during hours of peak power demand to meet shortfalls. It is currently estimated that the Aurora Solar Energy Project will be able to meet around 5% of the energy needs of South Australia – or to power 90,000 homes with renewable electricity.

While there are a few other big solar thermal power plants worldwide, none currently matches the Aurora Solar Project in power output or scope. Sited in California is the Ivanpah Solar Electric plant. This has three towers that churn out 392 megawatts. And in Chile will soon be built a two-tower solar power plant. This will be constructed by the one and only SolarReserve and is scheduled to output 260 megawatts.

Construction of the Aurora Solar Energy Project is planned to begin in 2018 and will cost $650m. It is planned to start producing power by 2020 and will be located near Port Augusta in Northern Australia.

Aurora Solar Energy Project in Australia creates 4000 jobs — Aurora fosters new industries and creates plenty new jobs (SolarReserve)

Aurora Solar Energy Project in Australia creates plenty new jobs in Australia — The power plant will create about 650 direct construction jobs (SolarReserve)

Aurora Solar Energy Project in Australia creates 50 full-time jobs — 50 full-time jobs expected (SolarReserve)

Tower of Aurora Solar Energy Project in Australia north of Port Augusta — (SolarReserve)

“The Aurora project brings the most advanced power generation technology to South Australia, supporting its energy security and carbon reduction objectives. It also represents a significant opportunity for South Australian workers and businesses to participate in this exciting project,” said Tom Georgis, SolarReserve’s Senior Vice President of Development for SolarReserve.

How it works

Aurora’s functional principle is based on concentrated solar power (CSP). There are different types of CSPs with individual designs. The essential components in the case of the Aurora Solar Energy Project are more than 10,000 mirrors and one solar power tower. The mirrors are ordered circular around the tower. The aim of this formation is to harvest the sun’s energy of a large area hit by the energetic beams. And that is why so many mirrors are applied – to maximise the solar harvest. The solar beams are reflected to one point, called collector or receiver. It is located on the top of the centrally located solar power tower. The concentration of all by the mirrors caught and reflected solar radiation results in extremely high temperatures and a high energy density at the receiver.

The receiver simultaneously acts as a heat exchanger. A circulating fluid works as a heat carrier and captures the concentrated sunlight energy. It is made of molten salt, consisting of sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate, and heated from 500 to over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. According to SolarReserve, it allows operating at low temperatures. It can even be used to store the heat energy in a thermal storage tank on the ground between 10 to 16 hours until it is needed to generate electricity with an interposed steam generator and the following turbine plus generator.

As the sun is moving during the day, the mirrors are not fixed. Heliostats are used to realize an ongoing reflection to the concentrating point on the top of the tower. It means that each mirror is movable due to an individual tracking system which rotates depending on the position of the sun and the mirror, hence the partially used designation heliostat power plant.

Images: SolarReserve

Energy Generating Glass Bricks With Fashy Design and Customizable Colors

They could fit seamlessly in the building facades - whether newly built or renovated houses

17 August 2017 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: Energy, Featured, Green Building

With their integrated photovoltaic generator and extraordinary design, recently presented energy generating glass bricks could soon transform external facades into sustainable power stations. Different glass colors are possible for an individual facade. Energy researchers from the University of Exeter in Exeter, Devon, South West England, proudly presented their pioneering new glass bricks, called Solar Squared. They are looking forward to a broad market introduction. As a further possible component of Green Buildings, the generated electricity can be used for the buildings occupants’ own energy demands.

Energy Generating Glass Bricks are Connected With a Special Plug System

Professor Tapas Mallick, chief scientific advisor for Build Solar, says, “We are aiming to build integrated, affordable, efficient and attractive solar technologies, which have the smallest impact on the local landscape. It’s an exciting venture and one that should capture the imagination of the construction industry, when looking to develop new office blocks and public buildings or infrastructure projects such as train stations and carparks.”

Energy Generating Glass Bricks on ECOURBANHUB - University Exeter — (University of Exeter)

The energy generating glass bricks are connected together using a special plug system. They can fit seamlessly in the facade of the building – whether newly built or renovated houses. Despite the collected solar radiation which will be converted into electricity, the

energy generating glass bricks let some light get through to slightly illuminate the interior of the building. Unfortunately, the intensity of solar radiation can’t be regulated so easy as with common window glass and external sun protection or, even better, electrochromic smart glass. Everything at once, high customizable shading and generating clean electricity, seems not to be possible. Or maybe with external photovoltaic blinds? However, they exist a few years but they are far from being a serious breakthrough.

“It’s now clear that the world is moving to a distributed energy system, of which a growing proportion is renewable. This, coupled with the shift to electric vehicles means that there are substantial opportunities for new ways of generating electricity at the point of use” said Jim Williams, Co-inventor and Exeter’s research commercialization manager in Cornwall.

With the start-up company Build Solar, the Exeter team aims to bring the energy generating glass brick to the market in 2018. At the moment, they are looking for investments to carry out commercial tests.

Images: Build Solar & University of Exeter

Dallas County on Second Place of Most Rapidly Warming US Cities

17 August 2017 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: Climate, Featured

According to a today published study from Texas Trees Foundation, Dallas County currently occupies the second position of the most rapidly warming US cities. The fastest heating city is Phoenix, Arizona. A sad record but a welcome opportunity to point out a widespread problem: Urban heat.

101°F as Average Temperature in Some Areas in Dallas for Five Months

The 2017 Dallas Urban Heat Island Study provides results of a year-long investigation of air temperature impacts at the district level. The resulting figures are alarming. Five full months, the average temperature in some areas in Dallas is 101°F – the lowest still 80°F. Allegedly, high temperatures in US cities cause more deaths every year than all other natural disasters combined.

“Heat-related deaths peaked at 52 in 2011 in Dallas County”

The study states, “Cities do not cause heat waves – they amplify them. Human activities on climate at the city/regional scale, accounting for both land surface changes and emissions of greenhouses gases, may be twice as great as the impacts of greenhouse gases alone.”

Especially Most Rapidly Warming US Cities Should Fight the Plague of Urban Heat

Apart from any rankings, it is not pointless to call attention to the harmful consequences of the urban heat island effect. Especially very densely populated cities with very high land prices tend to get more compact in the center. For personal economic reasons alone, an investor prefers to use every square meter to build high-rises with expensive offices instead of a green front yard. The city administration can combat de-greening with, for example, public green spaces – as in the case of the city-owned Central Park in New York.

Several Options Are Available to Reduce Urban Heat

The fight against urban sprawl, which is meaningful for different reasons, can in certain respects be a further negative impact on the inner city if it results in denser centers and the further sealing of green surfaces. Green space, in whatever form, improves the quality of life in inner cities as it reduces the risk of the urban heat island effect. Consequently, the risk of urban sprawl can be reduced as people are less willing to move to the surrounding suburbs. If there is only limited space for large-scale parks in the city, at least green roof legislations as in San Francisco or reflecting material surfaces should be considered more closely as possible measures. Liuzhou Forest City in China, for example, is taking an unusual step to combat harmful urban climate without sacrificing a compact development by planting trees and bushes on nearly each floor. The city literally consists of green buildings. In the end, there are even more than these three options to cool down the most rapidly warming US cities.

Childhood Asthma Rates at All-Time High in Dallas

Texas Trees’ chief executive officer, Janette Monear, says: “Our foundation is focused on making spaces cooler, greener and cleaner, and data has long affirmed that trees are vital to achieve this laudable and critical goal. The study we have released today is a wake-up call for all of us who call Dallas and North Texas home: We must act now to mitigate the urban heat island effect for the sake of our health, the economy and viability of our community. North Texas is seeing unprecedented growth, and with growth comes new buildings, roads and parking lots. It’s imperative that we come together to balance the grey with the green to ensure North Texas is a desirable place to live and work.”

Dallas County

“With a dual perspective from my seat as Chairman of the Board for Children’s Health System of Texas, and as the leader of a Fortune 500 company headquartered in North Texas, the economic impact of the rising temperatures in Dallas has never been more at risk. We know from our partnership with Texas Trees Foundation and data from the Urban Heat Island study that health is directly impacted when temperatures increase and air quality declines. Childhood asthma rates are at an all-time high, with nearly 10 percent of all Dallas children suffering from asthma. We care about the health and well-being of our associates, which is why Alliance Data funded this study and why we’re committed to standing with Texas Trees Foundation to make a difference.” points out Ed Heffernan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Data. The study was conducted by Georgia Institute of Technology, School of City and author of ‘The City and the Coming Climate’.

Bamboo Building in Chiang Mai Minimizes Carbon Footprint Significantly

It brings a smile on faces of lovers of natural building materials

12 August 2017 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: Featured, Green Building

This bamboo building in Chiang Mai can quite rightly be declared as impressive craftsmanship. A possibly appropriate time to join this green and woody bandwagon by helping to encourage the utilization of this very flexible natural material to create enduring and very environment-friendly architectural masterpieces. Supporters of Green Building and lovers of natural building materials shouldn’t ignore bamboo.

90% Smaller Footprint Compared to Common Building Techniques

Now, in a world so obsessed with trying to scrape the top of the very heavens with ultra-modern skyscrapers of increasing length and complexity, bamboo might not be the obvious choice when building something more fashionable than a mud hut or two. But, it seems the world of bamboo lovers didn’t get this memo, as the multi-use grass has readily consented to lend itself to practically any endeavor in which its magnificence can be fully exploited.

Bamboo building of Panyaden International School in Chiang Mai stair — Bamboo is known for its durability and exceptional flexibility (Chiangmai Life Architects and Construction)

One of the more admirable and eye-catching bamboo designs on this warming planet is the bamboo sports hall built for the Panyaden International School. Located in smiling Thailand, the aforesaid sports hall is very spacious, cutting-edge, and totally wondrous. Looking at its pictures, it is all too easy to believe it to be some pitiful photo-shop magic. After all, how can common bamboo realistically compete with its steel, metal and glass brethren in jaw-dropping looks, glamour and style?

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The answer, of course, lies in the vision, skill and readiness of the builders not to limit them to conventional ways of doing things. But to instead be willing to innovate, and imagine all-new uses for everyday things. The structure was built by Chiangmai Life Architects and Construction, which is a company already well recognized for building outstanding bamboo-based structures.

New Bamboo Building in Chiang Mai With Zero Carbon Footprint

The cost of the building is around $300,000. It has an incredibly low carbon footprint and is 782.0 square meters in area. Commissioned this year as a multi-purpose sports arena, it seamlessly flows and effortlessly merges with and enhances its hilly forest environment. Rather than clashing with it and looking as incongruous as the proverbial bull in a high-class china shop.

Bamboo building in Chiang Mai with lushly green — (Chiangmai Life Architects and Construction)

The design is said to be based on the iconic and much-beloved lotus flower. The interior is cooled naturally by breezes and is well insulated. As well, the bamboo used were all treated with borax salt and expertly positioned to resist tornadoes, earthquakes and the like. Despite the lack of steel reinforcements, the structure is surprisingly sturdy and bound to outlast the majority of people who come to either gawk at it or learn inside its one-of-a-kind interior.

The above-mentioned sports arena is only one of the more remarkable bamboo-based structures either going up or already standing tall and proud in Chiangmai. And they are catching on across the globe as people begin to recognize the wonders of bamboo and the practically endless uses to which it can be put.

So, what’s next for the mighty green bamboo? Only time can tell as its limits have yet to be plumbed.

Chiangmai Life Architects and Construction's Bamboo building in Chiang Mai interior view — The fast growing building material bamboo is an environmentally friendly alternative to concrete (Chiangmai Life Architects and Construction)

Bamboo building in Chiang Mai exterior view — (Chiangmai Life Architects and Construction)