Monday, June 20, 2011

PCM Trees at Das Tropenhaus, Berlin

   This is by far the most creative usage of phase change material in a greenhouse application, I’ve ever seen.

   Just a quick bit of history... Construction of the botanical gardens in Berlin began in 1897 with the purpose of exhibiting exotic plants brought back from the German colonies.  ”Das Grosse Tropenhaus”, a main feature of the botanical gardens, is currently the largest, self supporting, glass structure in the world.  

   This gigantic tropical greenhouse maintains a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius with high humidity.  Before its recent renovation, it utilized approximately 1,500 tons of coal a year.  After recent renovation, energy consumption levels are one-fifth of previous usage.  Wallboards, tiles and concrete containing PCM, were considered for energy storage inside the structure.