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Berliner Energietage: Digital solutions for the heating transition in existing buildings
From 16 to 18 April, leading experts met on the digital stage at the Energy Days 2024 to discuss solutions for the energy turnaround in Germany.
In the panel 'Digital solution perspectives for the heating transition in existing buildings', Dr Rostami (KALO), Dr Metz (othermo) and Mr Wehrmaker (imovis) presented concrete solutions for climate protection that is sustainable for everyone. Dr Vogler (GdW) contributed the perspective of housing companies.
There is a desire to move forward with development. Successful trials in the field are now important to build confidence.
Ms Vogler also addressed the topic directly, starting with the need for a paradigm shift in climate protection in the housing sector. She made it clear that, in addition to the necessary investment by housing companies, solutions are needed to finance and refinance climate protection requirements.
In general, Vogler believes that GdW member companies are ready to integrate technological solutions for the heating transition in existing buildings into their portfolios: "There is a desire to drive development forward. Successful trials in practice are now important to create confidence.
The task now is to network and share systems. We are already preparing for this.
Dr Bardia Rostami, Head of Business Development at KALORIMETA GmbH, then took the floor to present a solution for continuous hydronic balancing by linking smart thermostats.
According to a study by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, smart thermostats can reduce primary energy consumption in buildings by 15.5%. The solution also enables adaptive hydronic balancing and is a low-investment modernisation measure that can be subsidised by housing associations.
Another feature of the solution, according to Dr Rostami, is that it is easy to install without the need for additional tradesmen, as it is designed to be retrofitted. To realise its full potential, it is important for the commercial housing industry to implement interoperable solutions: It's time to network systems and use them together. We are already preparing for this.
Mastering the transition to digital heating has not been the focus for long. It is now important to continue to find pilot customers and test the technology in practice.
Networking was also the keyword for Dr Dennis Metz, managing director and founder of othermo GmbH. His presentation outlined the status quo and the benefits of the digital boiler room. To this end, othermo has developed a gateway that digitises and communicates with all the components in a heating system.
In an A/B test of 200 heating systems, the solution achieved energy savings of 13 per cent. According to Metz, it is now important to implement digital solutions across the board: "Mastering the transition to digital heating has not been the focus for long. It is now important to continue to find pilot customers and test the technology in practice.
In addition to the openness of the individual systems, there is a particular need for use cases in the residential sector. This will certainly take some time, but in the next two to three years we will have established a certain standard for networking in apartment blocks.
In the final speech of the panel, Christian Wehrmaker, Head of Product and Innovation at imovis GmbH, presented digital infrastructure solutions for the transition to electric heating. The basis for this is the intelligent metering system, consisting of a smart meter gateway and a modern metering device. This enables high-resolution consumption transparency, the use of dynamic electricity tariffs and cost savings through reduced grid charges when operated as a controllable consumption device.
Another important component is the Home Energy Management System (HEMS). Switching to electricity-based heat generation and using a HEMS opens up further efficiency potential, such as grid-friendly control that takes peak loads into account.
In addition to interoperability, Wehmarker also called for more use cases in the residential sector: "In addition to the openness of the individual systems, we need use cases in the residential sector. This will certainly take some time, but in the next two to three years we will have established a certain standard for networking in apartment blocks.
Overall, the speakers highlighted many solutions and potential synergies between different services, as well as opportunities for user integration. The panel agreed on the need for interoperability and networking of digital solutions as a prerequisite for successful use of the technologies, in addition to successful trials in the field.
You can also find a recording of the event in our magazine:
„Meinung und Position“
