Polder roof: water management on rooftops

Themes: Water & Maritime


Early stage commercial environment application

A TRL is a measure to indicate the matureness of a developing technology. When an innovative idea is discovered it is often not directly suitable for application. Usually such novel idea is subjected to further experimentation, testing and prototyping before it can be implemented. The image below shows how to read TRL’s to categorise the innovative ideas.

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Why?


The frequency of extreme weather and heavy rain is increasing, as is the hard surface area in urban setting. The resulting increased demand on sewage capacity can be mitigated using blue-green roofs as temporary water storage.

How?


Polder roof developed a smart discharge method, offering unique control over storage and discharge timing of rainwater. This enables a richer plant life on the roof, a less fluctuating and more controlled discharge of rainwater and possibly a reduced water tax.

When?


A fieldlab is being set up at the TU Delft to explore new designs, control algorithms and governance of the Polder roof. In the meantime the first commercial projects have been delivered.

Ing. Matthijs Monkelbaan

 

Dr. ir. Olivier Hoes

Ing. Friso Klapwijk