Research Report 2020
4.6
Institute of Computational Physics
Climatic Ceiling Thermal Storage Allows Reduction in Façade Insulation
Tough climate protection requirements in the building sector are often achieved without energy optimization of the heating system. A missed opportunity! The omission is paid for with excessive facade insulation and potential overheating problems in summer. In a validation project, an innovative system was investigated in which an intelligent heat pump system is used for heating and cooling. By activating the concrete ceilings and using them as a storage medium, the system also benefits from fluctuations in electricity prices, as is expected in the future. Contributors: Partner(s): Funding: Duration:
A. Witzig, S. Weber A. Bühler (Klimatop GmbH, Germany) Direct 2019–2020
Modern concepts for the refurbishment of old buildings aim to ensure that a refurbished building produces more energy than it consumes over the year. A tried and tested approach called “Energiesprong” pursues an innovative and scalable concept that also includes the heat pump heating system [1]. Moderate facade insulation is a cost-optimized solution that is particularly attractive for refurbishment and could play an important role in the German government's climate protection program 2030.
Sector coupling - i.e. the interlinking of heat, electricity and mobility - as well as urban planning and social considerations play an important role in this process. In order to test the planned intelligent system technology and to validate its suitability for widespread use under a wide range of conditions, the proposed heating and cooling system was examined in this project using simulations. The components used must be suitable for mass production and have to be cost-optimized. The planning tools must be digital and support the cooperation between the actors. The future-oriented overall concept also allows the combination of very many units, so that a positive effect for the stability of the power supply can be achieved together in the European network. For this purpose, the concrete ceilings of all buildings are used as a thermal mass and managed as a large energy storage medium. Literature: [1] «Energiesprong» Energy concept, www.energiesprong.org, currently with projects in the Netherlands, England, France and Germany. [2] Raum-K network https://raum-k.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Brosch%C3%BCre_RaumK_Panasonic_200107.pdf
Fig. Heat storage in the climate ceiling and the intelligently controlled heat pump heating system allow a high proportion of renewable energy to be used for heating and air-conditioning of buildings. This makes the system suitable for cost-effective renovation of large buildings and districts. In a long-term perspective, when the ratio of fluctuating energy sources increases, the storage ceilings can also contribute to the stabilization of the power grids.
In order to be able to offer the so-called “serial refurbishment” at a reasonable price, several companies join forces, optimize their internal processes and use the latest digital technologies. In this way they are renewing urban space on a grand scale.
Zurich University of Applied Sciences
33
www.zhaw.ch
