Introduction

The N.E.S.T Timber Research Center represents the final step in the timber transformation chain, acting as an innovative hub for research, testing, and development. Located in Sant Adrià del Besòs, Barcelona, this 8-story facility spans 40m x 40m and is designed to advance sustainable timber applications while integrating renewable energy solutions.

Sant Adrià del Besòs, once an industrial hub dominated by fossil fuel-based energy production, is undergoing a transformation toward sustainability. The N.E.S.T Research Center contributes to this shift by promoting ecological innovation and regenerative urban development.

Energy Consumption & Demand

Estimated Yearly Energy Consumption: 631,065 kWh

• Advanced Fab Labs – 391,795 kWh
• Structural Testing Lab – 82,050 kWh
• Biotechnology Lab – 70,500 kWh
• Residential Areas – 107,500 kWh
• Public Spaces (Library, Lecture Hall, etc.) – 25,000 kWh each
• Daily Average Consumption – 1,729 kWh

Estimated Yearly Power Demand: 124,094 kW

• Advanced Fab Labs – 90,070 kW
• Structural Testing Lab – 13,675 kW
• Biotechnology Lab – 14,100 kW
• Residential Areas – 9,000 kW
• Public Spaces (Library, Lecture Hall, etc.) – 3,000 kW each
• Daily Average Demand – 340 kW

These numbers are derived from general benchmarks for energy consumption in building typologies and spaces, combined with insights from Spain’s energy standards, EU regulations, and research studies on building energy use (e.g., IDAE data, energy performance reports, and academic sources).

Opportunities for Renewable Energy

1. Abundant Solar Exposure

Barcelona receives 2,500+ hours of sunshine annually, making rooftop photovoltaic panels a viable solution for the N.E.S.T building, which offers 8,000m² of rooftop space for solar installations.

2. Harnessing Strong Coastal Winds

The coastal location of Besòs provides consistent wind patterns, making it suitable for facade-integrated wind harvesting and urban airflow optimization.

3. On-Site Organic Waste for Energy Generation

The 30 residential units within N.E.S.T will generate 500–1,000 kg of organic waste per month, which can be converted into biogas, reducing environmental impact and providing an alternative energy source.

4. Local Energy Sharing & Grid Resilience

The Eix Besòs industrial zone presents an opportunity for a localized microgrid, integrating solar, wind, and biogas energy sources for a self-sustaining energy model.

Renewable Energy Proposals

1. Solar Energy

Utilizing solar panels with and without battery storage, maximizing energy self-sufficiency.

2. Piezoelectric Wind Facade System

Piezoelectric wind energy facade systems harness wind-induced vibrations in building surfaces to generate electricity without turbines, using piezoelectric materials that convert mechanical stress into electrical energy. Unlike traditional wind turbines, these systems offer ecological benefits by operating silently, posing no risk to birds, and integrating seamlessly into building facades without altering urban aesthetics. Energy output varies, but a well-optimized system on a high-rise facade could generate a few watts to several kilowatts per square meter per year, depending on wind conditions and material efficiency.

WIND DIGESTER, NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY,WEI KAI, WU YU XIANG HUANG & LANG WEN MA

3. Besòs Renewable Energy Grid

The Besòs Renewable Energy Power Grid shall aim to transform the region into a 100% renewable energy hub by utilizing excess energy from existing industrial generation. 

The Eix Besòs industrial zone in Barcelona has significant potential for a solar and wind-powered microgrid. With 400,000 m² of usable rooftop space, solar panels could generate 67–151 GWh/year.  Adding 5–10 wind turbines (2 MW each) could provide 20–50 GWh/year, bringing the total renewable energy generation to 87–201 GWh/year. This hybrid system would ensure 24/7 energy supply, balancing solar during the day with wind at night, reducing grid dependency, and offering energy savings for industries. Surplus energy could be stored or sold, creating an energy-sharing network. Despite challenges like regulatory approvals and investment costs, this microgrid model could make Eix Besòs a self-sustaining, low-carbon industrial hub, aligning with Barcelona’s sustainability goals.

Map showing bare usable rooftop zones in the industrial zone, Besos.

Case Studies:

1. Panasonic & Xcel Energy Microgrid (Denver, USA)

• 1.6 MW solar carport array with 2 MWh battery storage
• Public-private collaboration to enhance grid resilience and sustainability

2. Goldwind Smart Microgrid System (Beijing, China)

• China’s first megawatt-level microgrid, integrating wind and solar power
• Smart energy trading model with the main grid for economic optimization

4. Biogas for Methane Production

A biogas system, to be housed in the basement is proposed to manage organic waste and provide sustainable cooking energy for the facility. It would process 5 to 10 tons of organic waste per month, generating 100 to 200 cubic meters of methane per day, enough to provide 200 to 400 kWh of energy daily, covering all cooking energy needs. The Mediterranean climate in Barcelona is suitable for biogas production, with minor adjustments for cooler months. The system will comply with Spanish regulations on methane emissions and waste management, reducing reliance on LPG and charcoal, offering cost savings, and contributing to the facility’s sustainability goals.

Case Studies:

1. – The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Tanzania

The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) in Tanzania has implemented a biogas project to address waste management and energy needs on campus. The biogas plant processes 5 tons of organic waste per month and produces over 10 cubic meters of biogas per day, which is used to fuel cooking stoves in the university’s cafeterias, reducing reliance on charcoal and LPG. The system supplies 30% of the campus’s cooking energy and supports sustainability goals by reducing carbon emissions by 15-20%. Additionally, it decreases landfill waste and provides an educational resource for students in renewable energy and sustainable waste management

Passive Strategies for Climate Adaptation

Summer Strategies

• Natural ventilation from the sea breeze
• Shading devices to reduce solar gain
• Thermal mass to stabilize indoor temperatures

Winter Strategies

• Optimized insulation to minimize heat loss
• Passive solar heating using south-facing windows
• Controlled ventilation to retain warmth

Conclusion

The N.E.S.T Timber Research Center embodies sustainable innovation, setting a benchmark for energy-efficient, climate-responsive architecture. By integrating solar, wind, and biogas solutions, this project aims to serve as a model for ecological urban transformation in Barcelona and beyond.