Low-energy house exhibitions in Skive: In the years 1977, 1979 and 1984, a special type of detached house called low-energy houses was built in various locations in Skive. This involved scientific measurements and exhibitions for the press and interested parties from home and abroad. These were pioneering projects that were unique in their size and shape. The construction and exhibitions were to ensure knowledge about how to reduce energy consumption.
The background
In the wake of the oil crisis, there was a growing focus throughout the 1970s on reducing energy consumption in homes. In Canada and Germany, various measures were tried out,
In Denmark, low-energy houses were decided to be houses that had an energy input consumption that was at least 60 percent lower than an equivalent house with no energy input. Engineer Torben Esbensen created the world’s first zero-energy house, also known as a passive house, at DTU in 1975, and Denmark played a central role in the development.
Skive came to stand as a center for the development in Denmark
Due to the large differences from country to country in what qualifies as a low-energy house, it is difficult to fully compare. However, Lavenergi 77 seems to be among the very first, perhaps the first low-energy houses2 built for commercial sale and not as an exhibition or experiment. In any case, it is the first project of this type in Denmark.
Low energy – 77
The first project opened on July 15 and the exhibition was originally scheduled to run until July 24. However, the exhibition attracted so much interest from home and abroad that it was extended several times and reopened for special exhibitions for visitors from various organizations.
A total of 9 houses were to be built in what was called Solhaven.
The houses were as modern as could be practically constructed at the time, and although they were some way from zero energy houses, they were generally equipped with solar heating, geothermal heating, heat pumps, and heat recovery systems to recycle heat from the house. The best forms of insulation were used to try to insulate the houses and eliminate thermal bridges while maintaining an acceptable indoor climate. The technology was familiar, but the composition and ambition made it a unique project.
Being as modern as they were, the houses were very expensive, which made it difficult to sell them. The sales were only completed in 1979, and after large price reductions. This delay meant that the scientific studies could not begin until then.
There was a huge difference between the individual houses and how much they saved in added energy, even on identical buildings. This was attributed, among other things, to the great difficulty in operating the various elements that had to be raised and lowered and rearranged for optimal utilization.
Because it was such new technology, there were also many outages and repairs in solar systems etc. Which had a lot of downtime.
Attempts were made to publicize the project and the name “Skive – Denmark’s Energy City”. Politicians were betting that further initiatives would come to Skive and the surrounding area. There was a certain pride in the local community, including the launch of special beer labels from the Hancock breweries for the occasion.
Low Energy 79
This time 53 homes were built, 34 apartments in multi-storey buildings, 9 houses in close-low buildings and 9 detached houses around Humlevej in Skive.
The project was decided even before the 77 project was over. Significantly larger in scope, but with less focus on the landmark technology. Ensured that the homes did not face the same problem with sales as in 1977.
Interest from abroad was still strong enough to make the front page of the International Herald Tribune.
Low energy -84
Once again, technical innovation was cut back, but on the other hand, a level was reached where the homes were not very expensive compared to conventional housing, and could be approved for social housing. 56 homes were built , 52 of which in social housing were to be built in Glattrup.
Sources
- Land og Folk August 8, 1980
- Djursland August 21, 1984
- Bornholmeren August 12, 1977
- Skive folkeblad 8/8 77, 15/8 1984
- The national newspaper Aktuelt 28/5-1979
- Thygesen, Peter, Lavenergihuse i Skive : erfaringer fra tre udstillinger i Skive, 1977, -79 og -84, Byggecentrum 1985
- Lavenergi 1979 Skive August 31 – September 30, Skive Municipality 1979
- (PDF) The historical evolution of the energy efficient buildings (researchgate.net)