My Berlin Live greener

Electricity from your own roof, sparkling drinking water at the push of a button and strategically planted courtyards: HOWOGE's new standard of living is not only good for the climate, but also for people. You save in three ways: energy, CO₂ and money.

Ismail Sögüt has it good. When those around him began to worry about rising energy costs, the 25-year-old sat back and calmed down. His electricity price has been stable since he moved in, and he even pays less than others. And – best of all, Ismail Sögüt thinks – he only uses energy that is produced in an environmentally friendly way. Right next door, in the basement of the neighboring house, is a small HOWOGE block-type thermal power station. It supplies the Lichtenberger Kiez Lindenhof with electricity, heating and hot water. "The flow of tenants makes me a little less dependent on current developments," says Ismail Sögüt, who is studying energy and process technology. “Besides, you don’t have that much money when you’re studying. The price suits me.”

Just like the young student, around 2,500 other HOWOGE households are currently benefiting from this type of electricity contract, and the trend is rising. Green electricity, as the CO₂-free tenant electricity from HOWOGE Wärme GmbH is called, has long been standard in new buildings. It is an important component of the strategy to enable climate-friendly living without having to forego socially acceptable rents. Other building blocks: solutions for ventilation, heating, cooling and water that save energy and CO₂.

Image: HOWOGE employee Maximilian Gringmuth on a roof on Hermann-Dorner-Allee: HOWOGE operates its largest photovoltaic system there to date.

wind power against the wind

These solutions are also standard in the “Liese” residential tower at Lichtenberg station. What's more, the high-rise building, which can be seen from afar, is operated even more efficiently and consumes just under half the energy that would be permitted by law. But that's not the only reason it protrudes from the urban landscape – and because of its 64 meters: HOWOGE wants to install four wind turbines on the roof. It would be the first of its kind in Berlin. The wind turbines, which are still comparatively small at around 20 meters, could supply up to 100 tenant households with electricity," says Timo Péli, who is responsible for the "Liese" as project manager for the new building.

The foundations are already in place. But: Not everyone likes the idea of wind turbines in the city center. The building permit has not yet been issued. HOWOGE still considers the construction to be acceptable in terms of urban development, and this is supported by several expert reports. "We think it is the need of the hour to make a contribution to climate protection with the systems - and also to be able to cover living costs by offering our tenants cheaper energy that is produced directly on site," says Timo Péli.

While the last word has not yet been spoken on the roof, there is already another climate-friendly offer in the foyer: tenants will soon be able to tap cool and cheap drinking water at the push of a button – as in the Seefelder Straße district – if you want, you can even join them Carbonic acid. Billing is done via a chip according to the amount per month. For the tenants this means: They no longer have to carry and store bottles and deposit boxes. In turn, the fact that these no longer have to be manufactured, filled and transported helps the environment.

Image: Timo Péli on one of the four foundations for the “Liese” wind turbines. The foundations measure three by three meters and are one meter high.

Refurbished for tenants and climate

So far, other new HOWOGE buildings in particular have been as climate-friendly as the modern high-rise building. But what about the older houses? They are gradually being energetically renovated. Such as the current eleven-story building at Friedrichsfeld Rhinstraße 129-135. In the building from 1976, facades and basement ceilings, among other things, will be insulated, windows with thermal insulation glazing will be installed and LEDs and motion detectors will be installed by the summer of next year. Of course, solar panels for a green electricity system are installed on the roof.

The highlight, however, is to be attached to the south wall: the new facade cladding contains integrated photovoltaic modules. Like their sisters on the roof, these modules collect solar energy - but they are not shiny black, but light like the house wall and thus virtually invisible. "Architecture and taste prevailed over efficiency for once," says the responsible project manager. After all, it should also be beautiful, such a climate-friendly home.

Image: This is what it should look like: the new facade cladding at Rhinstraße 129 – with integrated photovoltaic modules and the wall before the renovation.