The E.E.N. concept aims to employ the space underneath the power network for nature and leisure.
As the world’s energy production is slowly becoming more sustainable – so can its transportation. The land underneath the power grid has the potential to form a coherent ecological network as well as a valuable recreational structure. In the Netherlands, the transmission network can become the country’s largest national park that fills in the missing links in our National Ecological Network (EHS). Energy companies, provinces and municipalities have reacted with great enthusiasm on the concept and a coalition to realize a first kilometer of Ecological Energy network (EEN) is in the making.
"The Ecological Energy Network (E.E.N.) concept aims to employ the space underneath the power network for nature and leisure."
By regulations arising from the Housing Opinion of 2005, which was clarified in November 2008, the high voltage network has a footprint in which extended stay is not allowed. Prolonged stay is defined as at least a year long daily stay between 14 and 18 hours on the same spot.
Based on this study, it was decided that “sensitive locations”, i.e. homes, kindergartens, schools and childcare facilities, can no longer be present under the high voltage network. Depending on the voltage, a function free zone of 50-76 meters is required. Desirable is an area of 2 x 50 meters. In that area, there is a limit to the shared space under the high voltage network for sensitive programs. Non-sensitive programs, in this case ecology, have unlimited use of the space.
The space underneath the power network can be used to connect nature areas, create green for recreational purposes or bring nature into the city.
The national power grid complements the Ecological Main Structure, creating a robust nation-covering green network.
If realized, the Ecological Energy Network creates the largest National Park of the Netherlands, larger than the Oosterschelde and Veluwe combined.
The masts supporting the power network could be redesigned to amplify the ecological importance of the network.
The consortium of STUDIO1:1, FABRIC and LOLA Landschape Architects developed a coalition of stakeholders to further investigate and realize the E.E.N. concept.
The city of Eindhoven serves as a test case for the spatial implementation and process development of the Ecological Energy Network. The five kilometer long trajectory connects green areas to the east and west of the city.
Turning the underused space into a mixed-use park-like environment, the E.E.N. concept brings biodivercity into the city and children in contact with nature.
For more information go to the E.E.N. website: www.ecologischenergienetwerk.nl
E.E.N. was selected as one of the three projects in the Studio for Unsollicited Architecture.
E.E.N. is also featured on the website of Nederland Wordt Anders ('Netherlands Are Changing')
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E.E.N. was selected as one of the three projects in the Studio for Unsollicited Architecture.
E.E.N. is also featured on the website of Nederland Wordt Anders ('Netherlands Are Changing')
