Trias Energetica
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The Energy Triangle Approach
Based on decades of European experience in designing sustainable buildings, Deerns consistently applies its "Energy Triangle" approach in all of its projects, be it designing new buildings, or re-designing buildings for more sustainable performance.
It goes without saying that reducing consumption in itself is the goal. What’s needed now, is to go beyond owner’s “perceived needs” and into owner’s “philosophical understanding” of what it means to build in an energy sustainable way. This requires the insight and knowledge into all current and foreseeable energy applications when designing facilities.
A range of possibilities has been developed that can be applied to various areas. Their effectiveness can be calculated by using Deerns’ advanced energy consumption computer modeling. This approach was used to assist the Dutch government in writing their stringent energy policies.
2. Use Sustainable Energy
Use natural resources wherever possible at any level, combined with reliable energy design choices.
· Use for instance the building façade and parking lots as solar collectors, and use that energy for heating and/or cooling.
· Use aquifers for seasonal storage of surplus heat and/or cold, and use it again during the alternate season.
· Apply wind power, hydro power, geothermal power, biomass where possible.
3. Use Conventional Energy with Maximum Efficiency, Compensate
After having applied the first two steps to the maximum possible, the remaining energy need, if any, will be met by applying fossil fuels as efficiently as possible, by applying state-of-the-art techniques, such as:
· Trigeneration or CHCP: Combined Heating, Cooling, and Power Generation
· Low Temperature Heating, High Temperature Cooling
· Concrete Core Activation
· Use Waste Fuelled Biogas Generators
The extent to which the use of fossil fuels disturbs the balance of Carbon Dioxide is also a measure for the environmental damage caused by the airport. This effect can be fully compensated, for example by responsible planting of trees elsewhere.