Powerhouse Brattørkaia: The World’s Northernmost Energy-Positive Building

The Powerhouse Alliance set out to build a facility that would exceed net-zero standards, minimize operational energy use, and maximize on-site renewable energy generation. The project needed advanced technologies to maintain occupant comfort while serving as a model for sustainable development worldwide.

To achieve energy-positive performance in a northern climate, the building combines solar power, seawater-sourced cooling, and advanced energy recovery systems. A Sabroe HeatPAC‑104S variable‑speed heat pump using natural refrigerant provides heating for Powerhouse Brattørkaia and the adjacent campus of BI Norwegian Business School with stepless load control from 15–100% for high efficiency and flexibility. Smart controls for ventilation, lighting, and thermal mass, together with a super-insulated envelope, optimize comfort and energy use year-round.

Achieving measurable sustainability outcomes and global recognition, Powerhouse Brattørkaia generates more renewable energy than it consumes, contributing excess electricity to a local microgrid and charging electric vehicles. These innovations earned BREEAM Outstanding certification and positioned the project as a leading example of energy‑positive design. Key achievements include:

• Solar photovoltaic array produces 485,000 kWh annually, enough excess electricity to charge 200 electric vehicles.
• Seawater-sourced natural refrigerant heat pump provides complete heating and cooling for the office and neighboring buildings through a district energy system.
• Air-side heat recovery, a super-insulated envelope, thermal mass control, and occupant-adaptive lighting and ventilation systems enhance energy efficiency.

Powerhouse Brattørkaia is an 18,000 m² commercial building in Trondheim, Norway. Designed by the Powerhouse Alliance and completed in 2019, it is Norway’s first energy-positive commercial building, producing more renewable energy than it consumes. The Powerhouse Alliance, a collaboration of Entra, Snøhetta, Asplan Viak, Skanska, and ZERO, aims to create climate-positive buildings that set new standards for sustainability and occupant well-being.