29. Oct 2009 - LowEx research conference in Kassel

Abstract

Today marked the end of the two-day symposium on low-exergy systems. Select concepts, methods and projects from LowEx research were introduced at the event. Innovative products which are based on the development work of individual industrial partners and which are now available on the market, also played an important part. The future key areas of LowEx research were also discussed at this conference.

more details

Different LowEx research teams have worked on developing different innovative systems for buildings, building technology and energy supply in recent years, which all have one thing in common: They cope with minimal temperature differences to room temperature in generating and distributing heating and cooling in rooms. Renewable energy sources can also be used in this manner, e.g. the natural low temperature of the ground, or of ground water, can be used for cooling, and solar thermal energy for heating.

The first presentations dealt with static and dynamic evaluation processes for analysing exergy, which permit specific system optimisation. Afterwards, the discussion turned to the application of LowEx systems and concepts in buildings and settlement construction. Based on specific settlement projects, it was shown how building concepts and system technology can be better coordinated than in classic construction practice. LowEx concepts were also presented, as well as concepts for the conversion of the existing district heating infrastructure in Ulm to a modern LowEx network.

The conference was held in the premises of the Centre for Environmentally Aware Building (ZUB e.V.). The new building won the silver German quality seal for sustainable building of the German Sustainable Building Council for its innovative energy concept.

The event was organised by the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP) in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) and the E.ON Research Center at RWTH Aachen.