29. Oct 2009 - LowEx research convention in Kassel

Abstract

Today sees the end of the two-day symposium on low-exergy systems. Selected concepts, methods and projects in LowEx research were presented at the event. Innovative products that have resulted from development work carried out by the individual industry partners and that are now available on the market also played an important role. At the same time the future focus areas of LowEx research were discussed at this convention.

more details

In recent years a number of LowEx research teams have worked on developing various innovative systems for buildings, building services technology and energy supply that all have one thing in common: in heating and cooling, as well as in distribution of heat and cold within the space, they achieve the lowest possible differences in temperature to the room temperature. Renewable energy sources can also be used in this manner, e.g. the natural low temperature of the ground, or of ground water, can be used for cooling, and solar thermal energy for heating.

The first presentations looked at static and dynamic evaluation methods for exergy analysis that allow targeted system optimisation. Then the application of LowEx systems and concepts in buildings and in settlement developments was examined. Based on specific settlement projects, it was shown how building concepts and system technology can be coordinated with each other better than is typically the case in construction practice. Concepts for LowEx heating networks and the conversion of the existing district heating infrastructure in Ulm into a modern LowEx network were also presented.

The event was held at the building that is home to the Centre for Sustainable Building (Zentrum für Umweltbewusstes Bauen e.V., ZUB). This new building was awarded the silver German Sustainable Building Certification by the German Sustainable Building Council (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen e.V., DGNB) for its innovative energy concept.

The event was organised by the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (Fraunhofer-Institut für Bauphysik, IBP) in conjunction with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) and the E.ON Research Center at RWTH Aachen University.