Prime example of energy efficiency: Munich Re’s premises at Münchner Tor
Munich Re attached great importance to using energy-efficient technologies for its new premises at Münchner Tor. The building automation system is designed to provide staff with a good level of comfort while saving electricity, district heating and water. To achieve this, natural sources of energy are also used.
The standardised annual average consumption of primary energy in office buildings is approximately 400 kWh/m2 – the buildings at Münchner Tor only use 237 kWh/m2, which is even less than the standardised annual average of 270 kWh/m2 for energy-efficient office buildings. The Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics confirmed this value and issued an energy certificate in accordance with EU Directive DIN V 18599 indicating the standardised consumption of primary energy for buildings.
Heating and cooling energy conservation is enhanced by using concrete core activation technology. It is based on a piping system which is embedded in concrete slabs during the construction phase. In the summer, groundwater is passed through the pipes at 17º C in order to cool the building, resulting in a comfortable ambient atmosphere when temperatures outside are high.
This technology is supplemented by other innovative methods. In one case, fresh air is sucked in and conducted through a 100-metre concrete pipe installed underground to ventilate the buildings. In the summer, the warm airflow is cooled by approximately 5 Kelvin due to the surrounding cold ground. In the winter, the process is reversed, i.e. the ground warms up the cold airflow, which may subsequently be heated in a heater battery, as needed. Finally, a heat recovery system takes thermal energy from the extracted air and feeds it back into the heater battery.
The double façade, i.e. the double-shell glazing of the building, means that windows can be opened for natural ventilation. Ventilation and cooling is also achieved through air ducts using the natural uplift of warm air, another feature welcomed by staff.
Energy efficiency is enhanced by daylight-controlled blinds and lighting. A section of the external blinds reflects the sunlight onto the office ceiling, augmenting daylight and reducing the need for lighting. To achieve this, sensors on the exterior façade measure the light intensity. The data is transmitted to a simulation computer that determines how much artificial light is needed and adjusts the office lighting accordingly.
Power management using dedicated technology ensures that high-consumption electrical equipment is switched on and off automatically to avoid peak loads.