The whole is greater than the sum of the individual model projects, and for this reason – in the best tradition of Aristotle – project-specific data and observations are being combined as part of the EnOB research initiative. The totality of the scientific data from the many model projects is being subjected to overall comparative analysis of performance and comfort in order to develop answers to very definite and practical issues regarding new buildings and refurbishment projects. A new aspect here is the analysis of costs and financial viability. A team of researchers from six separate institutes is working on this topic and on systematic quality assurance and knowledge transfer.

In the EnOB research projects, the building of the future is being worked towards. What exactly does this mean? For new buildings, it means that the primary energy requirement is to be further reduced to half that of today's technology (German Energy Saving Ordinance EnEV 2006 / German industry standard DIN V 18599). This includes the energy expenditure for domestic water heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting, as well as auxiliary energy for pumps and fans. At the same time, however, concepts and technologies for zero-emission houses are already being worked on.

With regards to building fabric, the focus is on further development of concepts for consistent and sustainable energy-oriented refurbishment. For non-residential buildings, the intention is to be at least 30% below the requirements to which new buildings are subjected to by EnEV 2006 / DIN V 18599. For residential buildings, the goal is to be at least 50% below the requirements to which new buildings are subjected to by EnEV 2006. Ambitious refurbishment concepts are being tested in conjunction with innovative technologies.

Key research areas

Future research work will concentrate on the following areas in particular:

1. Innovative concepts and new technologies are to be implemented in demonstration projects in order to test their efficiency, their suitability for daily use, and their future marketability.
2. An emphasis is to be set on promising materials, components and systems which enable innovations in building construction and buildings' technical equipment. This includes further improvement of the building envelope's energy properties (e.g. vacuum insulation), optimised utilisation of solar energy via facades and windows (e.g. controllable and self-controlling glazing, light-directing structures for optimal use of daylight), and innovative concepts for the generation and distribution of heat (low-exergy systems for heating and cooling, decentralised heating pumps, advanced heat pump technology, passive and hybrid air conditioning systems).
3. Grid-connected heating and cooling of buildings is to be developed further, with local and remote heating from combined heat and power generation (also: model tests with fuel cells), from industrial waste heat, environmental energy, and biomass. This also includes modernisation and adaptation of older grids, as well as testing new structure types (e.g. mobile remote heating, and remote cooling).
4. Development and testing of promising technologies for short-term and longer-term heat storage and cold storage for heating and air conditioning (e.g. thermal underground storage, latent heat storage, and thermochemical storage methods).
5. Optimisation of suitable measurement and control technology for efficient operation of systems, using modern communication technologies. This includes further development of methods and instruments for energy-optimisation of the "complete building system" in the planning phase, upon inauguration, and in operational management.
6. Transfer of technologies and methods to applications in the refurbishment of old buildings (e.g. standardised construction solutions, adapted building services equipment, special construction materials).
7. Transfer of the results from research and development into the training and further education of professional planners, architects, and tradesmen.

Promotion of research for "energy-optimised construction"

If you would like to participate in the research network with a contribution or project, you can find further information and contact partners at the project supporting body Projektträger Jülich (PtJ), which coordinates the support initiative "Energy-Optimised Construction" (EnOB) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi).

• Link to Projektträger Jülich