Going really green: World’s first bio-building powered by Algae opens in Hamburg

• Multinational firm Arup has created a building with a facade of bioreactors
• The bioreactors contain algae with generate biomass and heat sustainably
• System also provides heat and noise insulation for the building

The world’s first algae-powered building is being piloted in Hamburg. The building, which was designed by multinational firm Arup, features panel glass bioreactors on the facade which contain microalgae. These algae generate biomass and heat as a renewable energy source.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The building features panel glass bioreactors on the facade.

Each of the 129 bioreactors measures 2.5m by 0.7m.

They contain algae that generate biomass and heat as a renewable energy source.

They also insulate the building and keep out noise.

The panels are controlled by an energy management centre in which solar thermal heat and algae are harvested and stored to be used to create hot water.

 

They are controlled by an energy management centre in which solar thermal heat and algae are harvested and stored to be used to create hot water.

Jan Wurm, Arup’s Europe Research Leader, said: ‘Using bio-chemical processes in the facade of a building to create shade and energy is a really innovative concept.

‘It might well become a sustainable solution for energy production in urban areas, so it is great to see it being tested in a real-life scenario.’

The news comes after Arup announced their vision for the future of skyscrapers which suggested that buildings would be ‘living’ buildings powered by algae that respond automatically to the weather and the changing needs of inhabitants.

 

Source: Daily Mail