30. Oct 2007 - New accompanying scientific research starts

Abstract

Since September 2007, there has been a new EnOB team for cross-project analysis and research. Until now, the model projects in the new-build (EnBau) and refurbishment (EnSan) sectors were scientifically monitored and analysed in separate teams. The goal is to now combine these teams and benefit from the effects of synergy whilst also setting new objectives. This new accompanying research team is presented below, together with an insight into their range of responsibilities and the key areas of the research programme.

more details

One of the areas on which EnOB – Research for Energy-Optimised Construction – focuses is the testing of innovative building concepts and technologies in model projects: EnBau plans and builds office and administration buildings, as well as public and commercial buildings, all with minimal energy requirements EnSan tests ambitious refurbishment concepts for various types of buildings. Innovative technologies are employed in both new-build and refurbishment projects. Although the buildings are used in a completely normal fashion, they are scientifically evaluated over an extended occupation period of roughly two years after inauguration, and optimised while in operation. Detailed performance and comfort measurements and cost analyses provide reliable experience and data for these buildings. This data is analysed and processed using a cross-project approach and should help form the basis for widespread market application of new building and refurbishment concepts and promote the use of innovative materials, technologies and systems.

The new accompanying research team

The team headed by Prof. Karsten Voss already has extensive experience in the scientific monitoring of model projects in the new-build sector (EnBau). The persons and their key areas in detail:

Prof. Karsten Voss

Front right of picture
Coordination + key areas: “zero-energy buildings”, lifecycle costs, performance assessment
Specialist area: construction physics and technical building equipment (btga), Wuppertal University

Prof. Andreas Wagner

Front left of picture
Key areas: user acceptance, thermal comfort, optimising operation, performance assessment
Specialist area, construction physics and technical installations (fbta), Karlsruhe University

Prof. John Grunewald

Rear left of picture
Key areas: Construction material and structural solutions, further development of simulation tools
Institute for Building Climatology (IBK) at the Technical University of Dresden  

Sebastian Herkel

Rear right of picture
Key areas: Developing and administrating a building database that serves as an archive for scientific purposes and is used for the long-term monitoring of model projects
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Solar construction group, Freiburg

Tasks and objectives

The accompanying research team ensures cross-project documentation of the demonstration buildings and related research activities, the scientific analysis of practice-related issues, data exchange and the communication between individual projects and their teams. Evaluation methodology and various tools are also provided to support the project teams.

Despite the differences in planning and building practices between new-build and refurbishment projects, there are also many common issues; this is why the research areas should be jointly assessed in future. The documentation structure for the EnOB research also needs to be modified and a unified methodology developed to analyse the energy requirement and consumption. Special emphasis should be placed on the term “zero-energy building” which is going to play a decisive role in the EnBau and EnSan sectors.

One new project is to set up and administrate a building database, which is meant to serve as an archive for scientific purposes. The differentiated recording of data over many years at a number of different sites, as well as the various detailed climate, performance and comfort measurements for these buildings, provide reliable experience and data which can also be employed by other research groups and used to analyse diverse issues.

One key aspect is the transfer of research results for the purpose of training and further education. Contact should be established with universities and non-university training and further education centres of engineering and architectural associations, to allow this knowledge to be conveyed in lectures and other training programmes. In addition, it is planned to hold two summer universities as block events at the sites of the demonstration buildings. The research results are also going to be made available in a didactic format via a range of online training programmes (e. g. “Learning network platform”). Besides that, it is planned to integrate this offer in appropriate international learning modules.