Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP
Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP
Cover energy efficiency and indoor climate
© Fraunhofer IBP
Energy efficiency and indoor climate.

© Fraunhofer IBP

Energy Efficiency and Indoor Climate

Energy-efficient construction and operation of buildings – providing comfort in living, working and travelling environments

Research and development for future energy-efficient construction and comfortable indoor spaces

Our EER experts at the IBP branch offices in Stuttgart and Holzkirchen focus on energy-related issues of buildings and districts, the development of efficient building services systems and on measures to minimize energy demand using renewable energy. Research activities include identifying criteria for user-friendly indoor environments and developing appropriate solutions for indoor climate (in buildings, vehicles and airplanes). EER is concerned with the conception, support and assessment of nearly zero-energy, zero-emission and plus energy buildings (new and existing buildings).

Moreover, we focus on developing concepts for energy-efficient cities and communities (up to carbon neutrality) – as well as on evaluating and demonstrating innovative concepts, technologies and systems. These activities include both laboratory and field tests and monitoring of in-situ demonstrations and pilot applications.

In addition, we develop technologies, evaluation tools and calculation tools for energy-efficient building design, indoor air-conditioning and lighting. Computer-assisted planning tools and information systems for end-users are developed and maintained, just like calculation kernels for software providers.

Overview of Services

 

© GWG-München/Stefan Müller-Naumann

Buildings – Districts – Cities

Our scientists are engaged in a multitude of projects that are mainly dedicated to sustainable, energy-efficient construction and housing. They design, support and evaluate energy concepts for high-performance buildings or districts and develop concepts for energy supply and climate protection, including long-term roadmaps for cities and municipalities.

 

Buildings – Districts – Cities
 

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Evaluation and Demonstration

In customized evaluation programs, we transfer innovative building and façade technologies to practical use. To this end, we use test buildings on our field test site and evaluate buildings that are used in reality. For us, these demonstration buildings have an important function. They reveal potential solutions, demonstrate feasibility and give us ideas as to how to translate them into real-world applications. 

Evaluation and Demonstration
 

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Thermal Comfort, Models and Simulation

Fraunhofer IBP experts explore energy-efficient systems, concepts and technologies, which provide user-oriented indoor climates in an environmentally friendly way. Furthermore, they work on integrating BIM design methods (Building Information Modeling). They also deal with technical building systems and information technology in the context of building automation, building operation and users.

 

Thermal Comfort, Models and Simulation
 

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Lighting Technology and Passive Solar Systems

The human being perceives approximately 80–90 percent of information visually. Therefore, great significance is assigned to the configuration and planning of the visual environment that suits this requirement. With this in mind, our scientists are engaged in projects exploring optimized façade lighting, general lighting needs of buildings and street lighting.

Lighting Technology and Passive Solar Systems
 

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Vehicle Climate Control Systems

In our unique flight test facility – a low-pressure chamber comprising of several aircraft segments which provide space for up to 80 test subjects – we perform tests of the cabin climate. Here, our experts explore the aircraft systems and dedicated air-conditioning solutions in an integral way under real-life conditions, using specially developed thermal models for co-validation.

Vehicle Climate Control Systems
 

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Design Tools

Our scientists focus on developing and validating efficient design tools and on providing reliable data sets for calculations and model-based analyses. For instance, we offer a comprehensive range of digital planning tools, e.g. in connection with new assessment methods.

Design Tools