Kaiserslautern/Landau  –

Rising energy prices pose a major challenge for private individuals and companies. At the Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), a team from the fields of building systems and building technology as well as real estate economics creates energy concepts for clients from industry and business for buildings that are being planned or renovated. In doing so, it always takes economic efficiency into account, carries out a risk assessment and incorporates new technologies in order to be as CO2-neutral as possible or even self-sufficient. At the Hanover Fair, it will be presenting its range at the Rhineland-Palatinate research stand (Hall 2, Stand B46) from April 17th to 21st.

The sharp rise in energy and electricity prices is not only a problem for private individuals, but also for industrial companies and real estate operators. In addition, the energy transition must be further advanced so that Germany can meet its climate targets. “There is currently a great need for energy concepts. Measures should be taken quickly to reduce energy consumption or become completely energy self-sufficient,” says Stefan Spies from the Building Systems and Building Technology department at the RPTU in Kaiserslautern.

But which method is suitable for whom? How many photovoltaic systems are worthwhile for an industrial company? And what about biogas? Is a combined heat and power plant worth it? Can you switch from natural gas to hydrogen? How can heating be climate-neutral? What energy-saving air conditioning options are there? Many companies deal with such questions when they want to build a new production hall or renovate an administration building.

The team around Professor Dr. Sabine Hoffman and Professor Dr. Björn Martin Kurzrock. It creates energy concepts and management systems. The clients come from different areas. "For example, we work with automotive groups, retail chains or housing cooperatives," Spies continues. “The first thing to do is to clarify the individual requirements. What does the company want? What are the future challenges that may arise? Then you have to define your personal goal. This can be, for example, balance sheet CO2 neutrality, complete freedom from CO2, but also self-sufficiency in the areas of electricity and/or heat.” Current technologies are then selected. “We always have an eye on the future to plan for innovations. We develop different scenarios, consider the profitability and create a risk analysis. We present the package to the clients.”

For example, an important topic at the moment is Power-to-X. This refers to technologies that can store excess electricity when there is an oversupply of renewable energies. “Hydrogen, for example, is suitable for this,” Spies continues. “Although there will be losses in the conversion, the current global economic situation has encouraged and accelerated interest in it. Due to the increased energy prices, the economic framework is now better.”

The RPTU team in Kaiserslautern is always in contact with various manufacturers in order to know what technologies will be coming onto the market in the next few years. In order to work out your energy concepts, you also need knowledge from various areas. Therefore, the team consists of researchers from building technology, building physics, energy management, IT and real estate economics.

Optimization problems often play a major role at work, as Spies explains with an example: “The largest possible photovoltaic system is not profitable for every company. We determine what can make economic sense, depending on the client.” In simulations, the team can also take a look at the thermal situation of buildings, among other things, and see which renovation measures make sense. "We always look at what we can improve," Spies continues. The team checks the thermal quality of a building, for example when a new building is planned. “This is important in terms of cooling-heating needs. There is always great optimization potential here.”

At the Hanover Fair, the team will present its range using examples and also show results and concepts from previous research projects that could also be of interest to future customers.