EnBau: "Energy-optimised new buildings" model projects

If the total energy consumption of today's office buildings is considered in terms of primary energy, the electrical energy consumption for ventilation (15%), lighting (27%), and usage (33%), and the energy used for active cooling (11%), make up a high proportion of the total energy consumption. Increasing insulation measures entailed by the German Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) heighten the significance of electricity consumption in the overall equation. Due to the fact that the greatest potentials for energy savings reside in the areas of ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting technology in particular, optimised or even passive cooling concepts can significantly reduce electrical energy consumption, and thus also significantly reduce the primary energy requirement.

Today, energy-optimised buildings with a comparatively low heating and cooling requirement can be realised. In these buildings, it is also possible to establish a pleasant interior climate without costly building services equipment. This is made possible primarily by a combination of carefully coordinated measures with the following basic elements: very good thermal insulation and sun protection, sufficient thermal storage capacity in the building, and an air-tight building envelope in conjunction with hygienic ventilation and heat recovery.

In the research area EnBau, buildings with high energy efficiency are being developed and researched. These are mainly office and administration buildings, as well as public and commercial buildings, which, already on the basis of well thought-out design and physical construction qualities, offer good conditions for comfort. High thermal and visual comfort can be achieved with reduced, slimmed-down building services equipment. Here, the architecture, construction system, structural design, and building services equipment are coordinated so perfectly, that the lowest possible energy requirement for heating, cooling and lighting is achieved. A prominent characteristic is the now-possible abandonment of chillers, in favour of so-called "passive cooling".

Prerequisite for participation in "EnBau": the buildings' heating requirement may not exceed 40kWh/m² p.a. and the total primary energy requirement for heating, light, ventilation and air conditioning must be less than 100kWh/m² p.a. (based on the net floor area).