Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) are developing an oil vapour burner that enables conventional heating oil to be burnt in a modern condensing gas boiler device. In contrast to conventional oil burners, the new system can be regulated across a wide output range. It is intended to work with low emissions and provide economic benefits.  more...

Solar thermal energy is intended to cover 50 per cent of the heating requirements of a residential area being developed on the site of a former army barracks in Crailsheim-Hirtenwiesen. To ensure that this is possible throughout the year, a seasonal borehole thermal energy storage system has been installed with a volume of 10,000 m³ of water equivalent. This is the most cost-effective version to be produced so far. However, before drilling could commence for the storage system, a specialist team had to search the area for unexploded ordnance.  more...

The former flak bunker in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg is becoming a symbol for climate protection. The monument, which has hardly been used since the end of the Second World War, is being turned into a renewable power plant with a large-scale heat storage system. It supplies the Reiherstieg District with heat and feeds renewable electricity into Hamburg’s distribution grid.  more...

The Solar Decathlon Europe is a competition for homes which cover their annual energy needs using solar power. Within the framework of an exhibition, they are evaluated over several days in operation. This short period of observation is hardly able to ascertain whether they are also able to meet the competition standards in everyday life. Now, a practical test in Wuppertal has provided sufficient evidence. Since the middle of last year, two people have been living in the house developed by the town´s university.  more...

For the competition, 18 interdisciplinary student teams from all over the world developed and built houses that generate at least as much energy – using solar systems – as they consume. They were supported by their universities, researchers and companies. From Germany, students took part from Hochschule Konstanz University of Applied Sciences (HTWG) and RWTH Aachen University, supported with government energy research funds. Whereas the design from Constance has perfected a modular construction system, with the Aachen team the focus is on recycling. After ten disciplines, the two homes achieved 4th and 5th places.  more...

These days multiple glazing is used to provide energy efficiency with windows. The EU´s "HarWin" research project now intends to replace this type of fabrication. The project partners are developing laminated polymer-glass composite materials that use daylight. This is intended to lower the energy consumption in buildings. The material consumption during manufacture will also be reduced.  more...

Last Saturday saw the conclusion and climax of the international university competition "Solar Decathlon Europe 2012". The aim of the competition was to design an energy efficient and innovative house that generates more energy via solar active surfaces than it actually needs. From the 18 university teams taking part, the Rhône Alpes team from Grenoble managed to win the most points. The German teams from Constance and Aachen were ranked fourth and fifth respectively.  more...

On 13 September, the Solar Decathlon Europe 2012 was officially opened in Madrid. At 1.00 pm, the 19 university teams from 12 countries taking part gathered at the opening ceremony that was held at the Villa Solar - a construction site in the heart of the Spanish capital that has been specially reserved for the competition. This ceremony marks the beginning of the official competition phase. The team that collects the most points with its building in the ten competition disciplines will take top spot on the winners` podium on 30 September. Two German teams from Aachen and Constance are taking part in this innovation competition.  more...

Instead of screwing various module and collector types for solar power and solar heat on the roof, an obvious idea would be to use a hybrid collector that can do both and which creates a uniform appearance. In addition to generating photovoltaic electricity, which only utilises 15-20 % of the incident solar radiation, a so-called PVT collector can use the remaining radiation energy for generating heat. Researchers are working on optimising the output and production of these systems.  more...

Regardless whether in the office, at home or in school, too little daylight or unfavourable lighting impair visibility in rooms and strain the eyes. Based on the example of schools and homes for the elderly, it was investigated how new lighting concepts and new lamp, luminaire and ballast technology can help to improve the situation. A measurement system was used to monitor the lighting and energy properties. The new lighting systems and optimised technology enabled the electrical energy requirements in a school to be reduced by around two thirds.  more...