A flexible energy solution from GETEC at the Econopark in Berlin lowers energy consumption, reduces CO₂ emissions and provides the climate-friendly template for other real estate providers to follow.

In 19th-century Berlin, leather production was concentrated along the rivers, including the Panke, in the northern outskirts of the city. At that time, the tanner and leather goods industry caused significant pollution, leading to the river being referred to as the “Stinky Panke”. Leather production continued in various forms until 1992. Since then, the area has recovered brilliantly, and this is best exemplified by the Econopark situated at 8–10 Pank Strasse, the site of a former leather factory.

The eight striking red brick buildings have been fully refurbished under the ownership GSG Berlin, one of the largest providers of office and commercial spaces in Berlin. GETEC is collaborating with GSG to equip these properties with flexible and cost-efficient energy solutions. For the Econopark, this means an estimated 50% energy consumption saving and up to 85% reduction of CO₂ emissions (approximately 446 tonnes per year), with 90% of the heat supply from renewable sources. This benchmark project also provides a blueprint for the sustainable transformation of other buildings in the GSG portfolio.

“We have introduced a system that can both heat and cool, with an implementation that required almost no costs for tenants,” says Martin Kuhn, Project Engineer of GETEC. “For GSG Berlin, the added value of our cooperation lies not only in us assuming the investment burden, supporting the construction process and optimising plant operation, but also in taking responsibility for the heating and cooling supply as part of the contracting.”

The benefits of a flexible energy mix

Previously at the Econopark, heating was exclusively with gas (there was no cooling), which resulted in high energy costs and significant CO₂ emissions. By introducing a flexible energy mix with a total heating capacity of 2,300 kW, GETEC enables GSG Berlin to minimise the effects of fluctuating energy costs and ensure stable operation while also reducing the environmental impact of the site.

The sustainable, flexible and cost-efficient energy concept uses the ambient air as a heat source and features an intelligent energy management system for demand-oriented heat distribution. There are two reversible heat pumps (each 400 kW) to generate heating and cooling, two pellet boilers (each 350 kW) for sustainable heat supply, and a natural gas boiler (1 MW) as a peak load reserve on very cold days. The large storage tank (30 m³) can store both heat and cooling. The combination of these systems provides an estimated capacity of 1.7 MW of heat and 700 kW of cooling.

" We are pleased with the successful collaboration with GETEC, not just for reducing CO₂ emissions and energy consumption, but also for collecting valuable experience for further projects that offer climate-friendly heating and cooling for our tenants. Doing this without additional costs for office and commercial tenants and without further structural interventions in the properties was an important additional benefit. "

Gökhan Okan - Head of Energy and Sustainability Management, GSG Berlin

On the banks of the Panke

The Econopark has more than 200 tenants, including security technicians, manufacturers, courier services, freight forwarding companies, music producers and a large canteen that supplies food to more than 30% of Berlin’s schools. There are charging stations for electric vehicles, as well as communal farm kitchens that promote cooperation and exchange between the people who work on site.

Here, GETEC has successfully integrated a complex and sustainable energy solution into the existing building structure, and this is included using the existing heating infrastructure and radiators. In recognition of this outstanding achievement, the project was nominated for the renowned RealGreen Award of the German Corporate Initiative for Energy Efficiency e. V. (DENEFF).