BF2016 – Scientific Evaluation of the Research Area "Energie in Gebäuden und Quartieren"

 

Together with three Fraunhofer institutes, the RWTH Aachen University – represented by the Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate (EBC) and the Institute for Energy Efficient und Sustainable Building (E3D) – took part in a competition initiated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, focusing on accompanying scientific research in the field of “Energie in Gebäuden und Quartieren”. This resulted in a research contract that was issued on December 8, 2015.

Project duration:

01/2016 to 12/2019

Project funding:

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)

Project consortium:

  • RWTH Aachen, E.ON Energy Research Center, Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate (EBC)
  • RWTH Aachen, Institute of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Building (E3D)
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT)
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP)
  • Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation, Branch: Advanced System Technology (IOSB-AST)

The overall objective of the project

The envisaged energy transition is the main driving force for research activities in the sectors of industrial production, transportation and building/construction. According to the federal government, the climate policy goals for 2020 in the building sector cannot be achieved without intensified efforts. The provisions are: savings in primary energy of about 10% to 13%, as well as additional CO2-savings of about 5% to 8 %.

The insufficient reduction in energy consumption during the last few years is addressed with comprehensive strategies. The building sector, which is responsible for 38% of the total energy consumption, is a critical factor for a successful energy transition. From single buildings to entire urban quarters and residential areas, there are several possible strategies to ensure a better energy efficiency. Apart from attempts to increase the energy efficiency, the coupling of heat and power supply systems plays a central role in meeting the energy policy objectives regarding the energy transition. In this area, the goal is to reduce primary energy consumption by 80% as compared to 2008.

Based on intelligent and interconnected use of new technologies, it is possible to exploit and expand the potential. To date, this goal was pursued and promoted based on the research priorities of energy-optimized construction (EnOB), low-temperature solar thermal energy, the energy-efficient city (EnEff:Stadt), energy-efficient heating supplies (EnEff:Wärme), as well as on energy storage. The future accompanying research in this field is fitted to the overarching structure of the research network “Energie in Gebäuden und Quartieren”, comprising all relevant funding activities of the BMWi.

The consortium of BF2016

On January 1, 2016, the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy entrusted the consortium with the accompanying scientific research in the scope of “Energie in Gebäuden und Quartieren”. The consortium consists of experienced and proven experts who can look back on many years of successful accompanying research. New members have joined the well-attuned team, covering all relevant fields of research. The consortium collaborates with the following partners:

  • RWTH Aachen University – with the Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate (EBC) and the Institute of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Building (E3D)
  • Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft – with the Institutes for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT), the Institute for Building Physics (IBP) and the Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation, Branch: Advanced System Technology (IOSB-AST)

The project’s scientific goals

By initiating a competition, the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy chose a comprehensive approach toward a new form of accompanying research. The consortium corresponds to the task with an interdisciplinary team that combines expertise in the areas of applied research and technological development – in close cooperation with stakeholders from academia and industry. Thanks to the interdisciplinary team, there are many opportunities for cross-system approaches and a reorientation of applied research funding in the energy sector.

The new approach towards accompanying research allows for a seamless integration of all funded projects and for new ways to improve energy efficiency – as the required energy savings and the development of renewable energy in the scope of the envisaged energy system transformation can only be achieved with new technologies and concepts. Thanks to its interdisciplinary approach and the accompanying cross-sectional analysis, the new form of accompanying research will lead to new cross-cutting and system-oriented research approaches in areas that are of particular relevance for the energy turnaround.

Based on a systematic assessment of research requirements and a methodologically accurate cross-analysis of ongoing and completed projects (and by providing all players in the growing energy efficiency with tools and knowledge), this will lead to a substantial contribution to sustainable use of available resources – also, and especially, considering the aspect of scientific teaching.

In addition to technical-economic issues, the accompanying research should also focus on an analysis of the socio-economic framework conditions. After all, the question whether a project is successful or not can not only be answered based on technology-related aspects or the employed methods. Thus, it is necessary to take into account the planning process, the project structure, the legal and economic conditions, the sociological added value , the acceptance of all stakeholders, as well as the local effects.

 

Funding/Client:

BMWi, Förderkennzeichen 03ET1388A