28.12.2021

​The First Algae-Powered Building Presents Unique Renewable Energy Solution

The world’s first algae-powered building was constructed in Hamburg, Germany by Splitterwerk Architects in 2013. The facade of the building has 129 panel glass bioreactors containing algae. When sunlight heats the building, the algae multiplies and generates biomass and heat. A management center within the building controls the panels and stores the heat it creates for other uses. The B.I.Q. house is a 15-story concrete apartment building whose facade is wrapped in algae biomass. This biomass is produced within a “photo bioreactor,” or additional transparent outer panels that are attached onto the sides of the building and supply the structure with electricity. These bioreactors are filled with water and pumped with liquid nutrients and carbon dioxide for the algae to grow, as well as to prevent them from rotting. It’s these bioreactor panels that generate the energy that powers the structure. The panels act as solar thermal collectors by collecting the light that isn’t used by the algae, which is then converted into heat using heat exchangers. According to one of the chief designers Jan Wurm, this heat can be used for hot water or be stored in the building’s underground geothermal system. In addition to this, the algae will also be occasionally collected and transplanted every three to four weeks in tanks where they will undergo fermentation to produce methane gas or biofuel. This methane gas will be used later to generate electricity. Credit: WASTE ED