RFP Magazine

The German Centre in Shanghai is a model in more ways than one. Through showcasing multiple German technologies it has become an exemplar of how efficient, effective and slick green buildings can be.

Florian Gobel, Deputy General Manager, GECC sits in one of the greenest buildings in Shanghai. The German Energy Centre and College not only serves as a showcase for German green building technology it is also a college and training centre where all manner of interested professionals can gain knowledge about energy efficient practices for the built environment.

As Gobel commences his tour it becomes clear that while modest in size the two storey structure packs a lot of punch when it comes to incorporating best in class technologies.  The building itself is a completely closed envelope so that heat, ventilation and cooling can be completely regulated through the state of the art energy management system controlled though an easy to use desk top application.

The energy and sustainability concept is based on an integrated set of measures to reduce air conditioning load and to supply remaining demand efficiently. Reduction of loads is achieved through a moderately insulated wall appropriate for the Shanghai climate, air tight building envelope, green roof, clear sun protection glazing and daylight-regulated sunshading for control of solar gains, while providing high quality daylight indoors.

A system using radiant cooling, heating and fresh air is planned to heat or cool the room without condensation or mechanical device, thus providing a healthy and comfort indoor environment. Furthermore, fresh air volume is regulated by monitoring indoor humidity and CO2 concentration. Highly efficient rotary heat recovery is also integrated into the fresh air unit that recycles most of energy in the exhaust air, reducing energy demand significantly.

Ground source heat pumps extract and release heat that  both heat and cool the building. This heat is extracted from ten boreholes dug under a nearby greenfield site.

Mounted on the roof there is a solar PV system and a solar thermal hot water system, the latter is an example of a mature and economically viable technology that could be applied in every new building project where there is hot water demand.

College of knowledge
Constantly increasing energy demands, scarce resources and energy reliant production processes are the big challenges of our age. Gobel explains how the GECC mobilizes German technological know-how to with the goal of solving climate change challenges. The realization of this aim is achieved with the help of our numerous partners on site through practice orientated qualification combined with technology demonstrations in designated technology competence centers.

Gobel emphasises the requirement for practical experience rather than theory alone. As such the centre also promotes a German technological competence certificate.

In this way the GECC not only connects schooling and training with product- aligned demonstration, they also  design curricula taking individual education aims into account.

Their signature courses are “not something that can be done over a weekend” explains Goebel. Part of what makes the German approach so effective is the time taken to learn detailed nature of systems and technology. The courses may last months and covers everything from scientific basics, lighting, heat power cogeneration through to financing and more.

Train the trainer
The Train-The-Trainer program is part of the core competence of the German Energy Center & College GmbH to conduct high quality German vocational training courses on an international level. Gobel says that this accreditation is vital to expanding core competancies beyond the sphere of the German participants but opens it up to local Chinese course providers and participants spreading the message still further. The programme mimics the German Energy Manager training course, which was developed in cooperation with a German chamber of crafts.

For more information about attending the courses please visit www.german-energy-center.com.