The EnOB research projects are working on the buildings of the future. What exactly does this mean? For new buildings, it means that the primary energy requirement shall be further reduced to 50% of that used by today's technology (German Energy Saving Ordinance EnEV 2007 / 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, work is being conducted on concepts and technologies for zero-energy homes, particularly in residential construction.

With regards to the building fabric of old buildings, the focus is on further developing concepts for their systematic and sustainable energy-oriented renovation. For non-residential buildings, the intention is to undercut the requirements stipulated by EnEV 2007 / DIN V 18599 by at least 30%. For residential buildings, the goal is to undercut the requirements stipulated for new buildings by EnEV 2007 by at least 50%. Ambitious renovation concepts are being tested in conjunction with new technologies, whereby EnOB focuses on research and development in construction engineering and technical building services equipment. Examples include low-exergy technologies, building elements with vacuum insulation and innovative glazing and facade systems that have been researched in special projects and developed so that they are ready to be used in practice.

Find out more about the goals and focal areas of the EnOB research initiative …

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The whole is greater than the sum of the individual model projects, which is why – in the best tradition of Aristotle – project-specific data and experience are being combined as part of the EnOB research initiative. By means of inter-project and comparative performance and comfort analyses, the large scientific database derived from the many EnOB model projects is being used to develop answers to very specific and practical issues regarding new buildings and renovation projects. A new aspect here is the analysis of costs and financial viability. A team of researchers from six separate institutes are working on this topic and on systematic quality assurance and knowledge transfer.

Find out more here about the EnOB accompanying research, the team, monitoring and analysis methods, and the results so far...

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Many school buildings are becoming clearly outdated, whereby it is estimated that around 40,000 schools will need to undergo refurbishment during the next few years. That provides an excellent opportunity to save energy and at the same improve the teaching environment. Well-planned renovation and modernisation will enable schools to be enhanced as an institution. Because energy efficiency is gaining strategic importance in schools as places of learning, the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology is placing a particular focus on "energy-efficient schools" as part of its EnOB research initiative. The intention is to develop principles for future-oriented school building concepts based on model projects. Solutions that could lead to significantly improved energy efficiency combined with increased comfort will be tried out in test projects.

So-called energy-plus schools will be realised as flagship projects. These buildings produce more energy than they consume over the course of the year. Another group of schools will attain the standard of “3-litre-house” schools. Find out more about the “Energy efficient schools” research area, including about the aims, team, model projects, monitoring and analysis methods and the results so far …