Students Showcase Energy Efficiency in Luleå University Competition
Luleå University students demonstrate passive house benefits in energy efficiency competition.
Key Points
- • Students tested ice retention in building designs at Luleå University.
- • Passive house demonstrated superior energy efficiency, retaining 600 kg of ice.
- • Winning team, Sub-Zero Studio, advances to international competition.
- • Various energy-efficient building types were defined during the event.
In a pioneering competition at Luleå University of Technology, students pushed the boundaries of energy efficiency by testing building designs aimed at retaining cold. Held on June 6, 2025, coinciding with Sweden's National Day, the event featured two small houses: one built according to standard Swedish building codes and another constructed as a passive house, renowned for its superior insulation.
The competition aimed to see which house could keep a ton of ice frozen for the longest time. The results were telling; the passive house, built by the winning team named Sub-Zero Studio, managed to retain around 600 kilograms of ice, showcasing its effectiveness in energy conservation.
Project leader Valentin Romero of Sub-Zero Studio remarked on the impressive performance, stating, "This illustrates the potential of passive house technology in addressing energy efficiency needs." The team's success positions them to compete against four other universities, representing Sweden in an upcoming international passive house competition.
The competition also served an educational purpose, presenting definitions for various energy-efficient building types, including passive houses, which require minimal energy to maintain warmth, and zero-energy houses that produce as much energy as they consume. The event not only highlights advancements in sustainable construction but also underscores the important role of students in leading these innovations.