Large building contractor and developer
Skanska is one of the world's leading contractors with expertise in construction, commercial development, housing and public-private partnerships.
Sustainability is to Skanska an aspect of good business practice. To us this means that we incorporate social, economic and environmental aspects in our decision-making processes and work practices. Skanska is dedicated to contributing to reduced climate change potential through our activities in the construction industry. We are therefore a major partner in the Norwegian Research Centre Zero Emission Buildings (ZEB).
Skanska's main activity within ZEB Centre is the development and building of pilot buildings. Three pilot projects have either been completed, or are still being planned.
Two office blocks, originally built during the 1980's, have been rehabilitated as part of Powerhouse Kjørbo in Sandvika. The project was completed in 2014. The first year of operation already shows the measured energy consumption matching well with the calculated consumption, which when the data server facilities are disregarded comprises of approximately 35 kWh / m2 delivered energy per year. When the solar energy production is taken into account the building contributes a net supply of energy at approximately 8 kWh / m2. A central action to achieve very low energy consumption is the optimization and close integration between technical installations and the building structure, in addition to extensive interdisciplinary engineering. The bound energy associated with the building materials is also a central focus, and is part of plus energy (Powerhouse) accounting for the building. To assure that the system limits for the various phases of the building life cycle accounts are consistent, a primary energy factor was developed for electricity. Primary Energy Factors, with accompanying CO2 factors, are based on the same basic principle as ZEB CO2 factor, i.e. an ultra-green scenario for the evolution of the European electricity production.
Powerhouse Brattørkaia is a large, new office building in Trondheim, the preliminary project was presented in autumn 2015. The project offers the opportunity to continue developing principles initiated at Powerhouse Kjørbo, but with greater challenges for example with regard to the bound energy for supporting constructions. In addition, the building will have less sun-exposed surfaces in relation to the expected usage. So far, analyses predict an extremely efficient energy concept, when combined with a strong focus on materials used in the building; this will contribute to achieving the Powerhouse objective. For more information about Powerhouse see www.powerhouse.no.
A third pilot project is the development and construction of zero energy homes at Skarpnes in Arendal. A total of five houses have been built, where electricity production using solar cells over the year will be at least as high as the energy consumption.
Powerhouse Kjørbo (Photo: Skanska)
Building Integrated ventilation duct (Exhaust), Powehouse Kjørbo (Photo: Skanska)
Part of the solar plant on the roof of Powerhouse Kjørbo. (Photo: Skanska)
