2.- Zero energy: Cogeneration


The building will only use renewable energies: photovoltaic, geothermal, and biomass to meet all its needs, including the required electrical energy supply. There is abundant forest waste biomass available in Castilla y León, use of which will enhance the region’s socio-economic situation. There is a significant link between biomass use and job creation. This will allow district heating to function in the area of the university campus. The access points and features of the terrain in question make supply easy, thus making the use of biomass ideal for the case study. 


A system of biomass cogeneration was chosen to meet all the building’s needs: climate control (heating, cooling) and electricity production. 100% of the required energy demand can be met using biomass, and cogeneration also allows energy to be channelled to other buildings on the campus. This is included in the total estimate for the cost of the building (including the biomass cogeneration plant, the current estimate in basic terms, comes to 694 euros/m2). This encourages further research into the use of renewable energy production systems. According to the E-Quest simulation tool, renewable energy production on the site through biomass boiler cogeneration amounts to 249,108 kWh.