Herning, Denmark - 2009

 

Domain of application: Local

Status: Existing

Stakeholders: 

 

 

H2College project is a building that provides housing 66 units of youth housing that are CO2 neutral, completely powered by renewable energy, and built for less money than conventional construction. 

 

H2College's energy system begins with energy savings. Passive solar design, insulation, high efficiency windows, and heat recovery bring energy consumption down to 120 kWh/m2/year, which is 98 percent below that of the average household in the area. Electricity and heating are supplied by off-site wind power and onsite photovoltaics, and onsite electrolysers and micro combined heat and power plants (MCHPs) that use excess wind to produce hydrogen at night when electricity is inexpensive. Herning has long supported development of hydrogen technology for heating and transportation and considers H2College to an important test site for this evolving renewable energy option. A geothermal system produces hot water.

 

Because the building did not need standard heating installations, radiators, etc., and because it made use of less expensive German elements, the price tag for construction came in at 8% less than typical construction in the area.

 

Private funding is reported to have been € 8.250.000 and public funding € 550.000.