Sustainable Decentralized Energy Generation & Sanitation: Case EVA Lanxmeer, Culemborg, the Netherlands

Abstract

The use of decentralized systems at district, neighbourhood or local scale could introduce new urban functions, options for self-sufficiency of public buildings or entire districts and improved commitment of users.

This paper focuses on the integration of a ‘combined waste (wastewater) / energy system’ for an urban neighbourhood (the deep green district ‘EVA Lanxmeer’ in Culemborg, the Netherlands) integrated in a semi-public building: the ‘EVA Centre’. The district consists of 250 houses (partially under construction), offices and a ‘City farm’. The district is situated in an ecologically sensitive area, because it concerns a drinking water extraction and retention area. Essential is the integrated approach, closing cycles of nutrients, water and carbon and integrating energy generation and waste management through cascading qualities and use of the concept of exergy. An innovative mixture of ‘red and green’ development is presented (urban agriculture). The design of the district and the EVA Centre is mainly based on permaculture and organic design principles.

Principally, the concept of combined decentralized systems is based on anaerobic digestion (with treatment of ‘black waste water’ and organic waste / garden & park waste), Combined Heat Power (CHP). An accompanying closed greenhouse, designed as a four storey high double skin façade of the semi-public building, with integrated wastewater treatment for parts of the wastewater flows based on the Living Machine concept is added for educational purposes. In this vertical green house with ‘hanging gardens’ heat (and water) recovery and use of the surplus CO ₂ of the biogas plant takes place, together with heat/cold storage in an underlying aquifer. The concept is called ‘Sustainable Implant’ (or in short: S.I.). The S.I. will be realized as a part of the EVA Centre and has an interconnecting role between both residential district and EVA Centre, inhabitants and visitors.

Especially the social context concerning the people living in this urban neighborhood, the role of the S.I. and the City-farm( er) will be explained. Besides, the system layout and dimensioning backgrounds, maintenance, conservation and administration of the integrated whole, and the possible consequences for the district and its inhabitants are explained.