A Building Full of Energy

Opening of the new grid control center of LINZ NETZ GmbH

“The new grid control center establishes a benchmark for environmentally friendly building and facade technology and will contribute to the high level of energy security of both Linz and the entire network area of LINZ AG. This is why today is a good day for the whole LINZ AG family, in whose name I would like to thank all those involved for their work,” said a delighted LINZ AG General Director Erich Haider during the opening ceremony.

“The close interdisciplinary cooperation from the very start of the design process enabled us to efficiently solve the different and complex requirements for the building. We are really pleased to come together today to celebrate the opening of this state-of-the-art and forward-looking building,” emphasized ATP Lead Project Manager Birgit Reiterer.

Intelligent building services
Fully in line with its role as a regional network operator – and its position as a role model – LINZ NETZ GmbH draws the electricity for the server rooms and transformer from the building’s internal energy network, which is fed from renewable sources (geothermal and photovoltaic power). With its cooling capacity of around 5.5 MW, the cooling plant will be able to cool all the spaces in the new building. In addition to this, district heating can also be supplied to the adjacent LINZ AG-Center and other neighboring customers: The cooling energy is generated from this district heating system.

Office facade as trademark
The multifunctional building ensemble, with its new transformer, IT and data center, and state-of-the-art offices will ensure futureproof supply security across the region. The symbolic focus of this is the elegant office building: Above the glazed base, two-tone vertical strips accentuate the external skin facing the street, creating a fascinating interplay of light and dark. In addition to this, the distinctive facade also has high ecological qualities: It offers visual comfort and sound protection, while the PV panels generate electricity that is fed into the building’s own grid. The courtyard facade of the second building is visually enriched by largescale vertical evergreen planting, which also absorbs around seven decibels of noise pollution and 30% of fine dust particles.

