Michelle & Riad
11.09.13
Tuseday 11th September: Excursion in Bergen
This report will be based on an excursion we did as a group 1 (waste), 2 (energy) and 5 (eco building). Now we will tell you what we saw and what we learned from the different stations and subjects.
INTPOW & Statoil:
The day started with information and afterwards we found a classroom where Vegard and Johannes had two lectures. Vegard talked about INTPOW and Statoil, which are both important for the energy-group;
Vegard talked about INTPOW, which is an organization that tries to make the cooperation between Norwegian and foreign players in the renewable energy industry. Statoil was known for the most of the group. It is a multinational oil and gas company.
Johannes talked about energy politics. This is very relevant for our group because it is critical for how our future is going to look like, and how the environment will keep developing.
BIR:
At 10:00 our excursion group travelled to the BIR-plant In Rådalen. There we learned how the plant was working and what their future plans were. We learned that the plant creates energy from waste and transport it to housing all over Bergen, saving Bergen allot of electricity which can be used other places where it is necessary. It is also environmental friendly.
Before the guided tour, we listened to a specialist in waste tunnels. The plans he showed us looked very exciting and we all think that they would lead to a better city environment.
After the lecture about the plant, we had a short tour at the plant, guided by one of the specialists. He showed us the whole process at the plant and talked a little bit about some sections.
Nesttunvannet Terrasse:
Martin was talking about the Nesttunvannet Terrasse.
Nesttunvannet Terrasse in Bergen consists of 154 Plus-apartments. Some may wonder what a “Plus-Apartment is”; it is a new and “better way of living. Plus-Apartments offer experiences, service and safety, that will guaranty people to live easier and better.The apartments are located close to the Bergen Light Rail and bus terminals, which willreduce the need for private cars in the daily life. This will mean allot for Bergen, since one of the biggest problem for the environment is pollution from the cars. The residents in Nesttunvannet terasse are almost entirely heated by warm water, and not by heating cables. Warm water as a source of heat is much more environmental, because it demands much less electricity. The architectural structure of the buildings in this complex is quite compact, which makes it easier to collectivize the waste in shared garbage containers. The isolation used in these buildings are one of the products of Sundolitt. Sundolitt Isolation is about 20% more effective than regular isolation with the same sizes at confining heat within the building. The isolation is approved by Embalasjekonvensjonen, the Norwegian Convention of Packaging, with regards to the environmental qualities of this product.
Wooden, passive houses on Damsgårdssundet:
Riad was supposed to talk about the passive house which is currently being built on Damsgårdssundet, but we didn’t have time for it. But we’re going to write about it anyway.
Instead of living in a regular house, people should be living in passive houses. A passive house, such as the one that is being built on Damsgårdssundet, is a house with a special design, which produces a much lower energy consume than today’s standard.
In comparison to an ordinary house, the energy requirement in passive houses reduces through passive measures such as extra insulation, density, good windows, utilization of solar energy and thermal insulation.
This means that you don't have to use electricity or fuelwood to keep the heath. Such houses are a little expensive, but it will save you money in the long run and the environment.
ENØK is a Norwegian company designing and building passive house. Their main goal is to reduce the power consumption, making it cheap and environmentally friendly.
Passive houses have already been built some places in Bergen, such as this, but the number has to expand. If it does so, the environmental situation in Bergen will become much better.
As you can read, we have learned allot be this excursion. The reason why we did this excursion was the same as in the last report - to learn about Bergen and what is going on today and what will be done in the future. If all of the plans that have been set for the future is completed, we think that Bergen will become an even greener city, and maybe get rid of the pollution and the “Bergen’s-lid”.