Laboratory for building energy technology (G306)

• Practical training of students in the field of building energy technology
• Analysis of local and district heating systems
• Energy efficiency in industry
• Development of innovative storage technology
• Efficiency increase of systems for room air conditioning (solar cooling)
• Investigation and evaluation of heat pump systems

• Solar construction / Solar power plants
• Energy Storage
• Building Energy Technology
• Thermodynamics
• CHP and heating networks
• Introductory laboratory course

The innovative process of cooling indoor air by drying and evaporation (eng. "Desiccative and Evaporative Cooling", DEC) has become the focus of laboratory activities via a laboratory DEC system. With the help of this test set-up, important process parameters such as temperature, humidity, cooling capacity and energy efficiency can be determined in practice within the framework of short-term tests under precisely defined supply air and fresh air conditions. In addition, the potential for increasing the efficiency of individual components can be investigated. The equipment of the laboratory DEC system is designed for a wide range of applications, which will advance topics in teaching (in the form of practical trainigs and project work) as well as in research.

The thermal model building offers a practical basis for the understanding of simple thermal processes in rooms through its vividness. Using a building model, the students will investigate the effects of heating, cooling and thermal insulation during their practical training. The influences of ventilation via fans and windows, interactions between two adjacent rooms as well as the influence of solar radiation through glass surfaces on the indoor climate can be shown. The independent preparation and evaluation of energy balances is deepened.

The heating training stand can be used to illustrate various experimental and teaching contents, such as

• naming components in the heating circuit and getting to know their function
• determine pump and system characteristic curves metrologically
• practical execution of the hydraulic adjustment by presetting the thermostatic valves of the individual radiators
• determination of the output of radiators and the efficiency of the entire heating system

The water treatment plant by means of reverse osmosis is based on a filtration process that is modelled on nature. Water is pressed through a semi-permeable membrane. Only water molecules themselves can pass through the microscopic pores of the membrane. Existing substances are filtered out and removed with maximum retention rate. The water cleaned in this way is free of lime, heavy metals, micro-organisms and other harmful impurities and can be used for humidifying the laboratory DEC system (see next point).

The heat pump test bench is designed for use in teaching and can also be used for testing, research and development of highly efficient heat pumps, substations and storages. Due to its clarity and modular design, it offers a practical basis for understanding thermodynamic processes in the heat pump process. Students can learn the operating behaviour of a heat pump by measuring the stationary performance and efficiency map (COP: Coefficient of performance).

• Flow meter according to MID principle
• Flow meter according to the ultrasonic principle
• Test setup comfort measurement Testo 480
• Thermal imaging camera Testo 875
  (Overlay of thermal and real image possible)

• Networks with lowered temperature as providers of balancing power (NATAR)
• "Heat and housing" ERDF network project with 13 industrial partners
• Competence Center PlusEnergy Buildings
• Scientific support of an office and production building with innovative heating and cooling technology
• OREWA: Enhancement of central regulation and substations in thermal networks
• HybridWP: Construction of a hybrid Heatpump
• LEnZ: Rural energy in sustainable future