Energy efficiency

The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology FIT is looking for 30 test households for the "SAM Smart" research project. The research project aims to improve the data protection and security of smart home devices. To this end, practical, user-friendly solutions are to be developed that give users an overview of their stored data and how it is used.

How can water be saved in private households? Energy expert Stefan Materne from the consumer advice center gives advice. For example, consumers can save up to 70 percent water by turning off the tap while soaping their hands or brushing their teeth. Those who replace bathing with showering and use an energy-saving shower head can also save water. However, be...

The Agency for Municipal Climate Protection recently started advising municipalities on energy and climate protection. Among other things, local authorities can obtain advice on funding opportunities and help with applications. They can also obtain information on the e-cargo bike directive, for example. The agency operates nationwide. "Cities, districts and municipalities are key players...

Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), the energy transition can be realized more easily. In addition, AI agents will be able to automate complex control processes that are currently still difficult for humans and technology to manage. These are the findings of the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE. In a three-year research program...

From January 1, 2024, every newly installed heating system must be powered by at least 65% renewable energy. This mandatory switch to renewable energies will also be enshrined in law in a new Building Energy Act. In this context, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) points out various funding opportunities. If private owners...

Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZ Jülich), Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology are currently investigating how innovative printable solar panels can be used in the future. To this end, they recently launched the "Solar Technology Acceleration Platform for emerging Photovoltaics" (Solar TAP innovation platform). The aim is to work together with partners from the...

The Münch Foundation has now published a guide to "Energy efficiency in hospitals". In it, it has investigated where there is room for improvement with regard to the factors "light and lighting", "circulation and circulation pumps", "solar energy and photovoltaics", "room climate and cooling", "combined heat and power units", "heating and steam boilers", "building insulation" and "energy-saving...

Anyone with questions about the calculation tool for self-assessment by system operators in accordance with Section 29 of the Electricity Price Brake Act (StromPBG) can now seek advice from experts at the German Energy Agency (dena). The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) has commissioned the establishment of a corresponding hotline there. In April, plant operators subject to the levy will receive a letter from...

There is little difference between rented and owner-occupied apartments in terms of energy efficiency. This is the conclusion reached by the "RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research". On average, the difference is only 1.8 percent in terms of energy consumption per square meter. According to the researchers, this corresponds to a difference of two kilowatt hours per...

The Center for Applied Energy Research (CAE) in Würzburg and other project participants are currently developing a system called "RENbuild" for the combined regenerative supply of buildings with fresh air, cooling and electricity. The RENbuild system consists of hybrid collectors, a high-performance heat/cold storage tank, a heat pump system and a building automation system. According to...