A 51-metre-high building complex, housing 70 rented apartments and 3200 m² of office and commercial space, is to be completed by autumn 2019. The so-called Smart Green Tower will generate its own energy – from renewable energy sources. Electricity will mainly be generated by the photovoltaic solar shading louvres incorporated in the facades. Thanks to specially designed control system, they also operate efficiently in conditions of partial shade. In addition to generating electricity, the PV louvres in the facades will also regulate the building’s interior temperature and the light supply.

Surplus electricity will be absorbed by a large lithium-ion battery bank, which will balance peak loads and stabilise the grid.

Once the main building and both side wings have been completed, a system for extensively monitoring the individual building components and the entire system will be introduced. The potential for optimising the electricity and heat supply and for an intelligent energy management system will be analysed and also considered from an economic point of view. Positive project results would create the basis for the integration of the building in smart district concepts.

The project is being implemented by the Freie Liegenschaftsverwaltung GmbH in collaboration with Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE). The project will receive funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) until September 2020 within the scope of the Solar Construction/Energy-Efficient City funding initiative.