Pulse: energy-neutral education building

Pulse is the first energy neutral building on campus. The building has an A++++ energy label. The roof is home to 490 solar panels (750 m2) with an annual yield of 150,000 kWh. The solar panels provide sufficient energy to power the building. The building is also equipped with underground thermal storage and super insulating glass. An intelligent building management system ventilates, lights, cools and heats the various spaces at Pulse in line with their use. The facade openings were designed to make optimum use of daylight, thereby decreasing demand for electric lighting and, as a result, power. The panels’ direct current output is used throughout the building for lighting and USB-C connectors, etc. The direct current network in Pulse was developed in collaboration with the DC Systems, Energy Conversion & Storage research group from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS). Prof.dr.ir. Andy van den Dobbelsteen, Professor of Climate Design & Sustainability at the Faculty of Architecture was also involved in Pulse’s development.