STORY / PUBLIC SOURCE RECORD
Norway is pioneering energy-positive buildings
- Published 27 March 2023; updated 21 September 2026; estimated reading time 4 minutes. Powerhouse Brattørkaia in Trondheim, designed by Snøhetta, is described as energy-positive across its lifecycle (materials, construction, operation and demolition). It uses about 2,000 m² rooftop and 500 m² façade solar panels plus a seawater heat pump. The page says it generates twice the electricity it consumes and has a microgrid permit to distribute surplus to nearby buildings, vehicles, boats and the national grid.
- Other Powerhouse projects named as completed or underway are a school in Drøbak, an apartment building in Telemark and the Kjørbo office renovation near Oslo. Kjørbo is presented as showing that existing buildings can be renovated to become energy-positive and that retaining/reusing structural components can reduce embodied impacts. The Powerhouse collaboration includes Snøhetta, Skanska, Entra, Asplan Viak and ZERO; the article says designers, builders, owners and technical consultants need to collaborate from project outset.
- Architect Rune Grasdal describes design challenges around integrating solar orientation, thermal mass, acoustic/lighting requirements and zoning constraints. The article cites buildings as responsible for 40% of global carbon emissions; it positions energy-positive construction as turning buildings from emissions sources into carbon sinks. Related industries: Architecture and construction; Energy. No direct contact block shown.