From blazing hot to cool and green
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Short
Project SmartRoof 2.0 is an innovative, lightweight, blue-green roof, that has been installed on Building 02 at the Marineterrein Amsterdam. Water management (blue) and plants (green) are carefully monitored using sensors. This provides a wealth of information.
Water is essential for plant growth. That’s why the blue-green roof features an 85 mm-high Permavoid hollow drainage layer that stores rainwater directly under the planted layer. These Permavoid units have special fibre cylinders that use the capillary effect to provide the plants with water during dry spells. This creates natural irrigation without using pumps, hoses, or energy: just like in nature.
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Facts
Construction: March 2017
Official opening: 8 September 2017
Scientific research: 2017-2018, possibly untill 2019
Data: 12 measurable variables and 57 sensors;
Sensortype Aantal Rain gauge 1 Infrared Camera 1 IR surface temperature sensor 2 Soil moisture sensor 14 Soil temperature sensor 14 Water height meter 6 Air temperature meter 10 Wind speed and direction 1 Solar radiation 1 Sunlight reflection 3 Lysimeter (evaporation) 3 Relative humidity 1 Total 57 -
Info
International Cooperation
Marineterrein Amsterdam is a meaningful and innovative area with an international community of pioneers, scientists and entrepreneurs working together on innovative ideas and projects that promote a sustainable society.
International research
Project Smart Roof 2.0 is an important international research roof. Drain Products Europe, Aedes Real Estate, KWR Watercycle Research Institute, the City of Amsterdam, the Public Water Authority Amstel & Gooi and Vecht, Waternet and Bureau Marineterrein Amsterdam are working together in a two-year research project (2017-2018) for Topsector Water (water top sector) of the Dutch government.
More information: projectsmartroof.nl
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Research project
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On September 8, 2017, world’s first blue-green smart roof, Project Smart Roof 2.0, constructed at Marineterrein Amsterdam was officially opened. For at least two years, this unique living laboratory researches the cooling effect of evaporation on its immediate environment and the prevention of urban heat islands. The roof can absorb intense rain showers and prevent water pollution. Now the climate changes, these can be important measures to improve the health of the city.
Research into the city: use the Roof!
Project Smart Roof 2.0 is designed to scientifically investigate and improve the evaporation and hence the cool effect of blue-green roofs. In addition, researchers investigate whether it is possible to grow a large numbers of native plant species on the roof. Rainwater is collected in a drainage layer, which returns to the roots of the plants via a clever system. This way the majority of rainwater evaporates preventing the overload of the sewerage and water pollution in the streets.
Researchers monitor water management and plants closely with the latest sensor techniques. The evaporation is directly measured with a weighing system built into the roof, a world’s first. This provides a wealth of information. There is a lot to gain on Amsterdam’s roofs: in addition to recreational applications, roofs can provide many useful functions for the city and its residents. The first results are published here.
Related news
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AMS Institute to relocate to Marineterrein
30 March 2018 The Marineterrein is growing in significance as an innovative testing ground for Amsterdam and cities worldwide
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Smart Roof 2.0
13 March 2017 A blue-green roof, carefully monitored by sensors, is constructed on top of building 002 of Marineterrein Amsterdam. This provides a wealth of information.