A MODEL PROJECT FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION IN A LISTED MONUMENT
Berlin's Tempelhof Airport (THF) can make a substantial contribution to the city becoming climate-neutral by 2045. The building itself is intended to become almost climate-neutral, requiring a complete overhaul of the technical infrastructure inside and around the building. Tempelhof Projekt GmbH is developing the Technical Infrastructure 2030 (TI 2030) project, which integrates climate protection, monument preservation, and renovation – making the Airport a model project.
The Airport's technical infrastructure dates back to its construction period 1936 to 1941. It is entirely outdated and in need of adaptation to today's ecological standards and economic efficiency.
The TI 2030 project started in 2019 with the creation of a comprehensive technical supply and disposal concept. The concept covers all technical systems for water and wastewater, heating and cooling supply, ventilation, power supply, and telecommunications. In 2023, the preliminary planning document was submitted for review to the Senate Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing. The preparation of the construction planning document is planned for 2024.
The goal of the TI 2030 project is the efficient and climate-neutral provision of the Airport building. The sub-projects, or components of TI 2030, include:
- Supply and disposal, such as a water supply adapted to use, or the infiltration of rainwater instead of drainage.
- Energy supply, for example, generating electricity using solar panels, or recovering and reusing the heat contained in wastewater.
- The establishment of modern technology for IT and communication, up to and including building automation.
Upon completion, the renewal of the technical infrastructure is expected to save approximately 20,250 tons of CO₂ equivalents annually, compared to the energy consumption in 1990. That equates to a total reduction of 64 percent compared to 1990, which means Tempelhof Airport would meet the federal climate protection goals. These savings do not even account for the savings that will be generated by renovating the Airport building, which additionally enable a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions.
The share of renewable energy, and energy produced on-site, is high. Solar panels on the roof of the Airport building will cover a large part of THF's electricity demand with approximately 4,100 MWh annually. In addition, around 78 percent of the heat required on-site will be provided by heat pumps using renewable energy sources such as the heat from wastewater and the subway, as well as surrounding air. The rest will be generated from biogas and green electricity.
By implementing the Technical Infrastructure 2030 project, THF is actively contributing to achieving the climate protection goals of the state of Berlin. Additionally, the Airport is making its contribution to the European Green Deal – the 'green recovery' of the economy, climate protection, and the transition to a modern, resource-efficient and circular economy. Tempelhof Projekt GmbH is not only concerned with strengthening the green economy, but also with ensuring the resilience of the site and the city. THF was historically – and remains today – a crucial emergency fallback for energy supply, especially in the inner city of Berlin.
TI 2030 combines monument preservation, innovation and technology on an unprecedented scale – it is a model infrastructure project for Berlin.
