Sustainability in the building management of the properties

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

• Zonal daylight supplementary lighting in practical and seminar rooms

With the help of TWD skylights and/or light-directing louvres, 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 minimise the power requirement for artificial lighting..

• Use of daylight in otherwise dark interior corridors

The daylight concept provides for continuous skylight strips on both sides, also in the interior corridors, so that artificial lighting can be largely dispensed with.

• Ecological air conditioning of the lecture hall area

A conventional air conditioning system was not used. The supply air is precooled in summer by means of a generously dimensioned earth duct, and any additional cooling capacity required is provided by adiabatic evaporative cooling (the air flow to be cooled is humidified). Evaporative cooling uses the properties of renewable energies, as 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 offices and seminar rooms

Skylight flaps in the south and north façades, as well as skylight flaps to the interior corridor, allow air to flow through the entire cross-section of the building. Cross-ventilation with cooled night air in conjunction with the thermal storage capacity of the construction ensures that the building warms up more slowly.

• Programmable heating control according to demand

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

• Window contacts for heating shut-off during window ventilation

Window contacts connected to the building management 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 façade 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.

• Greywater use

In Sankt Augustin, rainwater is collected in an underground cistern and used for toilet flushing. If the rainfall is insufficient, drinking water is automatically replenished.

• Roof and facade greening

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

2. Renewal of building management system (BMS)

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

3. Energy saving measures 2010 / 2011

Five projects were carried out with the aim of saving energy, which were funded by the Ministry of Innovation, Science, Research and Technology from the Economic Stimulus Package II:

• Energy Monitoring Campus Rheinbach

By identifying and visualising consumption, transparency was created and user behaviour was positively influenced.

• Light control and LED technology

At both locations, the actually required illuminance has been adjusted by using light sensors and controllable luminaires, depending on the daylight, e.g. also in corridors and staircases. In addition, information and emergency lighting was converted to LED technology.

• Water heating by means of a solar system, Sankt Augustin campus

In order to generate hot water independently of the heating system, especially in the summer months, a solar system was installed on the supply building D.

• Server room cooling, Sankt Augustin campus

Cooling has been added to the largest server room at the university. The existing chiller with the compressor and evaporator units has been supplemented with free cooling. In the winter months, cooling takes place exclusively via the outside air.

• Use-dependent individual room control of the heating system, Sankt Augustin campus:

Upgrade of seminar rooms that have not yet been equipped for improved room regulation.

4. Potential analysis for sustainable building management

In 2014, an expert opinion was conducted on further potential for sustainable building management in order to derive additional elements. A decision was then made on the implementation of the corresponding measures, taking into account economic efficiency and sustainability.

5. Introduction energy management

As a measure from the report, the testing of various energy management systems was carried out from 2014 onwards, building on the energy monitoring. In 2017, a system was found for application.

In 2018, the position for energy management was filled. Energy consumption is monitored and adjusted, adjustments are made to the measurement and control technology, and settings are made according to user wishes.

6. New buildings Sankt Augustin and Rheinbach

• Company optimisation

With the construction of the new buildings in 2016, operational optimisation was pursued and established. A systematic commissioning was carried out. The following points were considered during a trial operation after the buildings were occupied in 2017:

• Continuous monitoring of energy consumption
• User satisfaction analysis
• RLT inspection
• Check for optimisation potential

The monitoring period was completed in 2018. The final report is currently being prepared

Status July 2020

• Heating new buildings

Building G and H in Sankt Augustin are heated via a district heating connection, while building G in Rheinbach is heated by a combined heat and power plant.

• Photovoltaic systems

A photovoltaic system was installed on the flat roofs of both new buildings.

7. Adaptation of the building management system (BMS)

The BMS software was replaced in 2020, as the provider was no longer able to provide updates.
At the same time, a separate fibre optic network was created to stabilise the BMS. The existing network connection can continue to be used.