Event by IBA Hamburg / Arch +
Min. 14
Keywords: Movies, Movies 11 to 45 Min, Wood construction, IBA, News Blog Berlin, Quarters
Event by IBA Hamburg / Arch +
Min. 14
The internationally renowned electrosmog expert Dr. Klaus Trost explains which electromagnetic radiation is emitted by PV systems, the magnitude of this radiation and what to look out for when installing the system components.
Klaus Trost: "I am not aware of any special findings or studies on health risks due to electrosmog from photovoltaic systems. I also do not expect any particular risks, since at night, when the sensitivity to electromagnetic field immissions is greatest, the sun is not shining, consequently no current flows in the PV modules and no magnetic fields are generated. Electric fields are only generated at night if the inverter does not galvanically isolate the modules from the power grid. However, as already mentioned, electric fields are well shielded by the roof structure and do not penetrate into the house."
Read the whole article by Dr. Klaus Trost from Wissenschaftsladen Bonn e.V.
Keywords:
Building Biology, DE-News, Electrosmog, PV, PlusEnergy house/settlement, Ecology
Glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising, heat waves and heavy rainfall are increasing: The consequences of climate change are visible and tangible worldwide, and the window of opportunity to act is shrinking. In order to significantly limit the global effects of climate change, the emission of greenhouse gases on earth must be drastically reduced. The agreement reached by the international community in Paris in 2015 sets the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, but preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Now, the Wuppertal Institute presented a study with possible cornerstones that can help to achieve the 1.5 degree target by 2035. The study shows that a climate-neutral energy system by 2035 is very ambitious, but fundamentally feasible - –provided that all possible strategies from today's point of view are bundled.What is needed above all is to bring forward and intensify the measures described in many studies as necessary to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050.
In order to be able to make an adequate contribution to achieving the 1.5 degree limit, Germany will have to switch to a climate-neutral energy system by about 2035. In the study "CO2-neutral by 2035: Key elements of a German contribution to meeting the 1.5°C limit", researchers at the Wuppertal Institute have investigated which transformation steps and speeds are necessary to achieve this goal. The study, which was prepared by the research team with financial support from GLS Bank for Fridays for Future Germany, was presented today in Berlin during a press conference. The result of the study: A climate-neutral energy system by 2035 is very ambitious, but fundamentally feasible, provided that all possible strategies from today's perspective are bundled.
The German government's Climate Protection Act, which was passed last year, envisages Germany becoming greenhouse gas neutral by 2050. However, this is not compatible with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The German Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU) assumes that CO2 neutrality must be achieved in Germany by around 2035 if an appropriate contribution is to be made to the global 1.5 degree target. Greenhouse gas emissions above and beyond CO2 must also fall very quickly thereafter. The SRU bases this on the assumption that per capita emissions will be distributed equally worldwide and that Germany will not be allowed to claim a disproportionate share. But how can this goal be achieved in time? The study attempts to provide impetus for discussion.
Manfred Fischedick, Scientific Director of the Wuppertal Institute, warns: "In order to have a chance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, German emissions would have to decrease dramatically, especially in the next five years - and thus above all in the next legislative period".
"A fair contribution to compliance with the 1.5-degree limit can now only be made if the upcoming German government tackles the transformation of the energy system as a core issue and consistently aligns its policies with the goal of a climate-neutral energy system by 2035. Without rapid CO2 emission reductions and prioritisation of climate protection in all policy areas, this is unlikely to be achieved," emphasises Dr Sascha Samadi, co-author of the study and research fellow in the Future Energy and Industrial Systems Division at the Wuppertal Institute.
In order to keep to the 1.5 degree budget, CO2 reductions of at least minus 60 percent by 2025 and at least minus 85 percent by 2030 (in both cases compared to 1990) are required, assuming the same per capita emissions worldwide. This is because cumulative emissions are crucial to significantly reducing the risks and impacts of climate change. However, a uniform, linear reduction by 2035 is not sufficient for this (see graphic).
Focus on the energy, industry, transport and buildings sectors
In their study, the researchers of the Wuppertal Institute investigated, on the basis of existing energy scenarios and further considerations, how CO2 neutrality could already be implemented by 2035, especially in the sectors of energy management, industry, transport and buildings. In their view, this requires the following measures, among others:
In the Energy industry the German government's expansion targets for wind and solar energy would have to be at least 25 gigawatts per year - more than double the government's current targets.
In some energy-intensive Industry sectors about half of the industrial plants will reach the end of their intended service life in the next ten years.
"Even though there may still be uncertainties about the best long-term solution, building the infrastructure for a climate-neutral industry must start today. Otherwise, there may not be enough time for the conversion. Therefore, decisions have to be made now and implementation has to start very quickly," emphasises Dr Georg Kobiela, also co-author of the study and researcher in the Future Energy and Industrial Systems Division at the Wuppertal Institute.
The Traffic in Germany must be significantly reduced in order to achieve the goal of CO2 neutrality by 2035. Car and truck traffic is largely responsible for the high energy demand. Compared to rail, a car with a combustion engine requires 4.8 times more energy per kilometre and person, and a truck even 5.6 times more per tonne and kilometre than freight rail. Steps affecting transport are in particular:
At Buildings a massive and unprecedented increase in the energy refurbishment rate to a level of around 4 per cent per year is necessary - currently the rate is only around 1 per cent.
The scenarios outlined for achieving the targets by 2035 require the parallel implementation of a wide range of measures in all sectors. They each pose major challenges in their own right and require unprecedented political efforts. Businesses must also be ready and able to help shape the transformation process - without losing global competitiveness. "Above all, however, the broad consent of society is needed to keep within the 1.5-degree limit. To achieve this, the transformation path must be designed fairly and social aspects must be taken into account," emphasizes Prof. Manfred Fischedick.
Source: Press release of the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy gGmbH from 13.10.2020
Keywords:
Stock, CO2-neutral, DE-News, Renewable, Research, Climate emergency, Climate protection, Mobility, Sustainable management, New books and studies, Quarters, Resource efficiency, Settlements, City, Environmental policy, Housing, XXL settlements
Heidelberg is receiving massive funding from the 2021 urban development programme for two construction projects on conversion sites. The development of Patrick-Henry-Village (PHV) into a new city district has even received the highest funding amount in the entire programme. Heidelberg will receive 3.5 million euros for this project. In addition, the conversion of the sports hall on the former US hospital in Rohrbach will be funded with 400,000 euros. This was announced by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economics on Wednesday, February 3.
"We are very pleased about this funding and would like to thank the state and federal government for their great support. We are convinced that with the development of Patrick Henry Village, Heidelberg will deliver a model project for the climate-friendly and liveable city of the future - this is precisely what the dynamic master plan of the city and the International Building Exhibition stands for, which we will implement in the coming years. It is an important signal that the state and federal government are supporting us here," explains Mayor Prof. Dr. Eckart Würzner.
In a press release, the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economics praised in particular the plans for residential development on PHV: "On the conversion area Patrick-Henry-Village in Heidelberg alone, apartments for around 9,000 to 10,000 residents are to be built. In doing so, emphasis will be placed on a diverse range of offerings for all population groups." Heidelberg is thus fulfilling a core element of urban development promotion, which Economics Minister Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut describes as follows: "The aim is to create affordable housing for all age and population groups that is barrier-free and up to date in terms of energy. In accordance with the principle of inner development before outer development, the focus is on increasing the density of inner-city areas while preserving historically valuable building fabric."
Executive IBA Director Prof. Michael Braum makes it concrete: "The fact that the federal and state governments are funding the PHVision so generously shows that outside expertise also believes in our ambitious approach: the integration of topics such as the re-use of existing buildings, future-proof mobility options and multi-talented open spaces will make the urban development of tomorrow innovative, sustainable and attractive at the same time. This pioneering funding for the south of PHV congenially complements the ongoing activities of the city and the Federal Real Estate Agency."
"We can take this funding commitment as a signal that with the concept of the Dynamic Master Plan we are providing exactly the right answers to the current and pressing issues of urban development - particularly with regard to the interaction of living, working, education, leisure, sport and culture. The project is an absolute priority for us and is already being noticed internationally," says First Mayor Jürgen Odszuck. For Hans-Jürgen Heiß, Mayor for Conversion and Finance, the sums from the urban development funding are also a confirmation: "We have had several conversion areas under development in parallel for years and have proven that we are reliable partners. The sums from the urban development funding relieve the municipal budget and enable outstanding qualities in the development," explains Heiß.
The development site, which covers more than 100 hectares to the west of the Autobahn 5, was a housing estate for military and civilian personnel until the US Army withdrew in 2014. The city of Heidelberg wants to develop PHV into its 16th district in the coming years. Around 10,000 people are to live here and around 5,000 are to have their place of work. The basis for the development is the dynamic master plan. It was developed jointly by the city of Heidelberg and the International Building Exhibition (IBA) Heidelberg with the involvement of internationally renowned urban planners and various specialist planners, combined with the participation of the citizens, and subsequently adopted by the Heidelberg city council.
"More vital, more heterogeneous, greener" is the guiding principle of the new district. With sustainable living and working typologies, innovative open space and mobility concepts, a climate-neutral energy supply and the intelligent and socially responsible use of digital technologies, it will provide answers to urgent questions about the future. To this end, five neighborhood types with different identities were developed, often mixing new and existing buildings from the US housing development. A central park with a lake for water management in the center, diversity in architecture and in the use of buildings, the production of food and energy directly in the neighborhood - these are just a few aspects of the holistic approach. Thanks to neighbourhood garages on the periphery, the public space and the neighbourhoods are planned to be pedestrian-friendly and free of parking spaces.
On the site of the former US Army hospital in Rohrbach, a pioneering low-emission quarter for the middle of society will be created in the coming years. The former sports hall - for which 400,000 euros are now flowing as part of the urban development funding - could be converted into an attractive beach hall. A corresponding concept for an energy-neutral open-air hall has already been drawn up. The next step will be to determine the probable costs for a conversion before the municipal council decides on the future use of the hall. The building, erected in 1903 as a drill hall, was later converted into a sports hall by the US Americans. It is a listed building.
The municipal housing company GGH is developing a residential area with around 600 apartments on the entire site by 2025 that takes account of demographic and social change, promotes social cohesion and offers a functional mix of living and working places. In the areas of housing, energy, transport and urban development, the quarter relies on forward-looking building blocks, some of which are unique in Germany. The housing target group concept provides for residents to pay only 30 percent of their disposable income for the warm rent for 40 percent of the apartments in the neighborhood.
Keywords:
Bike-/Velo-City, DE-News, Funding, News Blog Baden-Württemberg, Mix of uses
With a new law, Paris encourages its residents to garden the public space. Wherever possible, vertical and horizontal gardens are to be created, urban agriculture is promoted. There is even a starter kit with planting soil. Among other things, 100 hectares of living facades and roofs are to be created by 2020.
Links for further reading:
http://inhabitat.com/paris-allows-anyone-to-plant-an-urban-garden-anywhere/
Keywords:
Stakeholders, Greening / climate adaptation, Communities, News Blog Europe (without DE), News Blog France, Quarters, Environmental policy