ENGIE x City of Berlin

The ENGIE solution: a 360° approach

In order to transform this former industrial site into a smart district, ENGIE and its partner GASAG, a Berlin energy company boasting 175 years of activity, have decided to act on different levers. 
Together, the two energy service providers will plan, build and operate the energy supply as an independent “Quartierswerk Gartenfeld”, while also providing extensive energy supply services for modern, interconnected urban life in a “smart” city.

First lever: heat and cold production in line, of course, with the design, construction and operation of a smart cogeneration plant combining natural gas, biomethane and electricity. These systems are designed to be compatible with hydrogen, which is set to replace natural gas in the future. The project also plans for the production of renewable energy, particularly solar energy via photovoltaic panels installed on roofs.  

Second lever: mobility, with the installation of charging points for electric vehicles, the implementation of a car, scooter and bicycle sharing service, and intelligent management of parking spaces via a “Mobility Hub”.

Third lever: establishment of a digital network for the district. All offers and services are consolidated in an application devoted to the district's residents. It allows them to monitor their consumption and to easily view their contracts in a transparent manner. The application can also be used to reserve services, electric vehicles or parking spaces, and allows the district’s residents to exchange with their neighbours via their own communication channels.

Residents involved

Currently, some 3,700 apartments, 600 commercial spaces and some communal facilities are being built on the approximately 74-acre site. Eventually, the residents will be directly involved in the management of their district and will, as such, participate in the production of renewable energy thanks to photovoltaic panels installed on the roofs of their homes. 

The Association’s vision of this project is centred around a “sharing economy” concept, with the communal use of heating systems, rainwater and mobility services, as well as an ICT platform for the district. The concept behind these shared services is also reflected in the use of the services via the global application which will be developed for the district’s users.

“From the very start, our goal was to highlight the human aspect. We want to offer users a good quality of life, as we seek to give them back control of the city and encourage diversity. The consistent use of smart technology is made accessible to all and guarantees a comprehensive range of products that are both sustainable and affordable on the long term. We are thrilled that ENGIE Deutschland and GASAG have joined forces in order to obtain this project thanks to their portfolio of services.”
Thomas Bestgen, CEO of UTB Projektmanagement GmbH, and Managing Director of the Neues Gartenfeld planning association.

 

“Together with ENGIE and our partners, we are demonstrating that energy, mobility and digital technology must be used in tandem in order to build a better city to live in and to meet environmental protection goals. As we aim for a CO2-neutral future through this project, we are broadening our range of expertise while actively contributing to the energy transition ” 
Georg Friedrichs, CEO of GASAG AG.

 

“We are very happy to have been selected for this emblematic project to build a new energy-efficient smart district. This major contract is a testament to the relevance of our infrastructure solutions, which allow to develop low-carbon districts and cities, and to spearhead the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy.” 
Cécile Prévieu, Chief Operating Officer of ENGIE, Energy Solutions activities.