Towards Zero Energy Buildings
The guest speaker was Joeri Alderweirelt from DUSS, a consultancy firm specialising in sustainable buildings. He explored in greater depth the implications of the latest version of the EPBD directive for the design and management of buildings. Whereas the previous version referred to ‘nearly energy-neutral buildings’, this has now been changed to fully energy-neutral, or in other words, Zero Energy Buildings. The bar has therefore been raised significantly. Sustainability also covers more aspects than just energy: for example, water management will also need to be factored into the assessment. Moreover, it is not just about the building’s own consumption; the energy embodied in the building materials will also have to be taken into account.
Reduced consumption can only be achieved through efficient management. This is encouraged by the requirement that larger buildings must be fitted with an automated control system for their services. Certainly in public buildings, there is still considerable potential for improvement through efficient demand management or more rational use. After all, many spaces are not utilised to their full potential.
Impact of the EPBD
Efficient control
In this context, Siemens proposed building management solutions. Modern buildings generate enormous amounts of data. The key is to consolidate all this data into mutually compatible formats so that it can be analysed. The aim is to achieve a self-managing building, similar to a self-driving car. The control system would then make a large number of routine decisions autonomously, allowing the building manager to focus on the essentials.
Mitsubishi Electric provided a more technical perspective on installation, focusing in particular on the impact of the F-gas Regulation. One concrete consequence of this is the switch to low-GWP refrigerants, which, however, carry a higher fire risk. This risk can be reduced through more accurate monitoring, including remote monitoring.
Monitoring and inspection were also the key themes of Climapulse’s presentation. Refrigeration systems, particularly the larger ones, require regular inspection. This is not only a legal obligation, but is also crucial for efficient operation. With the right software, the whole process can run much more smoothly, with a minimum of hassle.
Finally, Spirotech addressed the foundation of it all: the quality of the system water. The efficient operation of a system stands or falls on this. Under the EPBD requirements, numerous systems will need to be renovated. By paying attention to the water quality in these systems, we can ensure that the targeted performance levels are actually achieved.
At the closing reception, there was lively discussion about all these topics.
