Increasing demands to reduce Co2 emissions from fossil fuels calls for alternative energy production, and implementing a modern facility will allow Kara/Noveren to utilize the energy resources from residual waste that cannot otherwise be recycled. In line with Kara/Noveren's vision was for The Energy Tower to become a new Danish landmark. Naturally they wanted an energy efficient lighting solution to go with it so 112 Martin Exterior 410 fixtures and 78 Tripix 1200 LED strips were installed, controlled by Martin's M-PC software.
Kara/Noveren envisioned a structure with the ability to communicate and relay messages of sustainable energy to the public. Located only a few hundred meters from one of the major inroads to the Danish Capital of Copenhagen, it has a huge reach and potentially thousands of spectators on a daily basis.
The Energy Tower was designed by Dutch Architect and expert in sustainable design Erick Van Egeraat, who brought in Danish lighting architect Gunver Hansen to identify and implement the most optimal lighting solution.
Van Egeraat's vision for the lighting was for it to be an aesthetic contribution to The Energy Tower as a new landmark, and that it should signal the processes that take place inside of the tower and portray the combustion and energy making process.
"At night the backlight perforated façade transforms the incinerator into a gently glowing beacon - a symbol of the plant's energy production," said Erick van Egeraat. "Several times an hour a spark of light will gradually grow into a burning flame that lights up the entire building. When the metaphorical fire ceases, the building falls back into a state of burning embers."
"We've already received an overwhelming public support for this project," said Thorkil J&oslah;rgensen, CEO of Kara/Noveren. "People respond very well to the idea and the concept, and they really like what it adds to the area in terms of architecture and beautiful lighting. This is extremely valuable to us for branding purposes and to secure a future leading position in waste management. We see it as a great investment on several levels. We're happy to combine an investment in modern waste management methods with an extraordinarily beautiful structure and landmark for the area."
(Jim Evans)
