11th project management meeting „Operation as an opportunity to permanently increase efficiency“

 

Scientists from BMWK-funded projects in the field of energy transition building joined the 11th project management meeting of the “Wissenschaftliche Begleitforschung Energiewendebauen” (BF EWB) (eng. accompanying scientific research energy transition building), which took place digitally on 28 April 2022. The BF EWB presented the current work of the Modules 1 to 5 according to the topic "Operation as an opportunity to permanently increase efficiency" and presented the interim results of the questionnaire evaluation, which had previously been completed by the projects. Following the BF presentations, some projects presented themselves in short "elevator pitches". Further on, the participants were able to discuss the presentations in digital rooms, ask the presenters additional questions and use the opportunity to network.

In the afternoon, the Modules of the BF EWB hosted different workshops, from which the participants could choose freely. The EBC was in charge of the following three workshops within the framework of Module 2 "Buildings" and Module 3 "Neighbourhoods":

The workshop „Smarter und flexibler Gebäudebetrieb – Treiber und Unterstützer der Energiewende“ (eng. Smart and flexible buildings operation – Driving force and supporter for the energy transition) was hosted in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics. Methods for monitoring and operating optimization are a suitable tool to increase energy efficiency during operation phase with the use of smart technologies and to transform the energy demand of buildings in a more flexible and grid-friendly way with respect to an increase of fluctuating renewable electricity. In the workshop after impulse lectures, two task forces discussed goals, benefits, features and implementation requirements for grid-friendly buildings. Additionally, they looked for definitions of smart control technologies in combination with an evaluation of their potential to save energy. The research demand for the areas quantification of the flexibility demand for the power grid and the development of incentive concepts for grid-friendly building operation have been identified from the discussion results. The main challenges to evaluate the energy savings of smart technologies can be seen in the determination of reference values (especially under pandemic conditions) and errors in monitoring systems, which sometimes produce unreliable data.

The workshop „Definition des Begriffs „Quartier“. Welche Merkmale entscheiden über die Systemgrenzen eines Quartiers?“ (eng. Definition of the term „neibourhood“. What characteristics determine the system boundaries of a neighbourhood?) was hosted in cooperation with Fraunhofer UMSICHT. The identification of relevant neighbourhood characteristics was the main goal to determine a standard meaning. In this context possible designs for energy neighbourhood concepts were been discussed. The amount of diverse stakeholders and their requirements lead to multiple criteria like urban framework or energy-related focal use cases to be the foundation for the determination of a standard meaning for neighbourhoods.

The workshop „Umsetzbarkeit von Quartiersprojekten. Wie wirken sich Baukosten- und Energiepreissteigerungen aus?“ (eng.: feasibility of neighbourhood projects. What is the impact of construction cost and energy price increases?) was hosted in cooperation with the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW). It discussed the opportunities, risks and challenges which are triggered by increasing construction costs and energy prices, and which recommendations for action can counteract or compensate for them. Additionally, general frameworks were created to support the implementation of neighbourhood projects. A detailed summary of the project management meeting will shortly be presented on the BF EWB-website.