Designed to be self-sufficient, Boplasten is exclusively supplied by renewable sources of energy. Electricity is generated mainly by wind power. Off-shore wind farms will produce 4.5 million kWh annually. In addition, solar cells located on the majority of individual apartment buildings produce electricity that is then transferred into the district-heating network. It's estimated that the solar cells will supply approximately 15 per cent of the thermal energy. Five per cent of thermal energy will be recovered from refuse and waster water.
Residents will also have a high degree of property management control, with new technology allowing them to monitor and regulate their own energy consumption.
The high-quality architecture is an important element in the district's self-sufficiency. One of the central aims of Bo01 is to showcase how attractive this new green model is, both in financial and aesthetic terms. The buildings are designed to minimise energy demands for heating and electrical equipment.
Household waste not separated for recycling will go into vacuum refuse chutes where the waste will be separated into organic and other. The organic waste will be taken to the district's biogas plant for digestion, then recycled for residents. The remaining waste will be incinerated to generate heat.
The biogas also supports the public transport network, which will run on environmentally friendly fuels. The majority of the area is designated car-free, with cycle traffic given priority. A car pool of electric, gas-fuelled and hybrid cars will also be used, but the aim is to minimise car use by providing efficient public transport.
