POWER TO THE PEOPLE

Dutch architect Erick van Egeraat’s Energy Tower, a stunning structure complete with a 97-metre spire where waste is incinerated to produce electricity and heat for the city of Roskilde in Denmark, was recently completed.

The plant, inspired by Roskilde’s famous cathedral, has been described as a ‘green technological giant’ because it can generate the same amount of energy as 25-30 large onshore wind turbines.

Waste is collected from nine municipalities surrounding this former capital city, as well as from abroad, and converted into electricity supply for around 65,000 homes, as well as heat that is fed to approximately 40,000 households.

van Egeraat, who won an international competition in 2008 to design the plant, said: “At night the backlight-perforated façade transforms the incinerator into a gently glowing beacon – a symbol of the plant’s energy production.

“Several times an hour a spark of light will gradually grow into a burning flame that lights up the entire building. When the metaphorical fire ceases, the building falls back into a state of burning embers.’’

There are clear environmental benefits from no longer having to burn large quantities of oil, coal and/or gas, and the new plant is so efficient that it makes use of some 95 per cent of the energy found in the waste it burns.

Denmark has strict laws regarding emissions; hence only steam is released into the atmosphere.

The Energy Tower is a major contributor to carbon-neutral energy production as its opening has significantly reduced the distances previously needed to transport waste, while rainwater is harvested and stored to be used again locally.