“We have created the most efficient solar power plant in Norway”

— Elisabeth Heggelund Torstad, CEO Asplan Viok

Situated in the historic industrial city of Porsgrunn in the county of Vestfold and Telemark, this new 11 story building marks a symbolic continuation of the district’s proud history as Telemark is home to one of the early 19th Century’s largest hydropower plants.

Powerhouse Telemark is the fourth of the Powerhouse energy positive buildings to be built in Norway. These buildings have been the result of a collaboration between Snøhetta, R8 Property, Skanska and Asplan Viak.

Powerhouse Telemark has reduced its yearly net energy consumption by 70% compared to similar new-construction offices, and will produce more energy than it will consume over its entire lifespan. The skewed and slightly conical building features a clearly defined 45° tilting notch on the east-facing façade, clearly stating its purpose with a combination of south-east facing façadePV and roof PV generating 256,000 kWh each year, approximately twenty times the annual energy use of an average Norwegian household. Surplus energy will be sold back to the energy grid.

Given that Telemark gets an annual 1682 hour of sunlight (compared to Perth with 3212 hours) this is a remarkable performance.

“In environmental issues the powerhouse strategy needs examples, one to one where we can actually measure what we have calculated beforehand. And now in a small city we have an example set up. It does not have to be in locations around the world where the focus is on the highest, it can be anywhere. However there are elements that need to be improved, one of them is the distribution of surplus energy production, into its surroundings. And I think there is a political issue for the future to actually solve the distribution of surplus clean energy production into the wider network.”

— Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, Founding Partner, Snøhetta

COLLABORATORS

Contract: Skanska

Architect: Snøhetta

Landscape: Snøhetta

Technical Design: Skanska Teknikk and Asplan Viak