Sustainability in construction and building management of the properties

Already in the planning of the main buildings in 1996 ff. novel elements of ecological construction were taken into account, which clearly went beyond the state of the art at that time and result in a permanently reduced energy consumption for the management of the buildings.

Solid, thermally activated primary construction

The shell construction is used for winter heat storage and summer cold storage. As far as possible, therefore, interior walls were made solid and cladding of the solid shell structure was dispensed with. Sound absorption measures were designed so that they do not hinder the heat exchange between the room and the structure.

Increased thermal insulation of the building envelope

Compared to the original planning, the insulation thickness of the building envelope was increased by four to six cm, and windows and glass facades will receive highly effective thermal insulation glazing with a thermal insulation value of 0.9 W/m²K.

Use of transparent insulation systems

The south facade of the machine hall in particular is well suited for the use of transparent thermal insulation (TWD) systems due to its design, exact south orientation and somewhat greater temperature tolerance. A combined solar wall-direct gain solution was implemented there: In the upper part, the TWD façade is designed as a window element and thus enables direct heat gain; in the lower part, it is designed as a solid solar wall that releases the heat gain with a time delay to the insolation.

Zonal daylight supplementary lighting in practical and seminar rooms

With the help of TWD skylights and/or light-directing louvers, daylight is directed deep into the rooms and also illuminates the interior corridor via overhead floodlights on both sides. The lighting concept is supplemented by zonal daylight supplementary lighting to minimize the power requirement for artificial lighting.

Use of daylight in otherwise dark interior corridors

The daylight concept provides for continuous skylights on both sides of the building, including the interior corridors, so that artificial lighting can be largely dispensed with.

Ecological air conditioning of the auditorium area

A conventional air conditioning system was dispensed with. By means of a large-dimensioned earth duct, the supply air is precooled in summer; any additional cooling capacity that may be required is provided by adiabatic evaporative cooling (the air flow to be cooled is humidified). Evaporative cooling takes advantage of the characteristics of renewable energy sources, since only air and water are used as sources for cooling.
An enhanced cooling effect is achieved by "flushing" the rooms with cool night air. In winter, the earth duct is used for air preheating. Reheating takes place via ventilation heat recovery, if required via an additional heating coil.

Passive summer night cooling in office and seminar rooms

A flushing of the entire building cross-section is achieved via skylight flaps in the south and north facades, as well as via skylight flaps to the interior corridor. Cross-ventilation with cooled night air in conjunction with the thermal storage capacity of the construction ensures slower heating of the building.

Programmable heating control according to demand

An electronically programmable heating control system via an occupancy schedule enables the temperature control of individual rooms or zones depending on usage. At the same time, such a system can be used for detailed recording of individual consumption.

Window contacts for heating shutdown during window ventilation

Window contacts connected to the building control system are to switch off or reduce the heating of a room when the windows are open. This system is used in seminar rooms, laboratories, etc.

Photovoltaic system for power generation and partial shading of glazed areas

Photovoltaic elements are installed in the glass roof of the "Hochschulstraße" and on a south-facing facade near the entrance area. The solar power is fed into the building's internal grid and is used, for example, to operate cooling units or pumps.

Roof and facade greening

The use of green roofs and facades improves the microclimatic conditions and reduces the building's cooling requirements.

Use of ecologically safe materialsvv

As far as technically possible and economically justifiable, environmentally hazardous building materials were dispensed with. The use of aluminum was reduced. Insulating materials made of plastics were only used in the foundation area. Mineral fiber boards were used in the facade and roof areas. Care was also taken in the interior finishing to ensure that no materials hazardous to health were used.

2. renewal of building management system (BMS)

In 2010, the BMS at both sites will be renewed, as system maintenance is no longer offered for the manufacturer-specific make used by the general contractor at the time. This will optimize heating adjustments in seminar rooms and laboratories and improve capacity utilization through effective fault management.

3. energy saving measures 2010 / 2011

Currently, five projects are being implemented with the aim of energy savings, funded by the Ministry of Innovation, Science, Research and Technology from the Economic Stimulus Package II:

a) Energy monitoring, Rheinbach campus: The aim is to create transparency by identifying and visualizing consumption and to positively influence user behavior. Due to the relatively high electricity consumption at this location, the potential for savings is high.

b) Lighting control and LED technology: At both locations, the actually required illuminance is to be adjusted by using light sensors and controllable luminaires, depending on the daylight, e.g. also in corridors and stairwells. In addition, information and emergency lighting will be converted to LED technology.

c) Hot water generation by means of a solar system, Sankt Augustin campus: A solar system is used to generate hot water independently of the heating system, especially in the summer months.

d) Cooling server room, Sankt Augustin campus: The cooling system in the largest server room is being converted from the previous chiller with compressor and evaporator units to a precision air-conditioning unit equipped with free cooling.

e) Usage-dependent individual room control of heating, Sankt Augustin Campus: Retrofitting of seminar rooms not yet equipped.

These projects are scheduled to run until June 30, 2011.

4. potential analysis for sustainable building management

The intention is to obtain an expert opinion on further potential for sustainable building management and to derive additional elements for sustainable building management from this. A decision will then be made on the implementation of the corresponding measures, taking into account economic efficiency and sustainability.

Duration from July 2011