Energy efficiency

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...

The energy advice service of the consumer advice center provides tips on how owners and tenants can prevent the formation of mould through correct heating and ventilation. After showering, cooking or sleeping, the property should first be completely aired out. Afterwards, the energy advice service of the consumer advice center recommends leaving the windows open for two to three...

The science academies acatech, Leopoldina and Akademienunion have published an impulse paper entitled "Are blackouts in Germany likely?". The researchers assume that "major power outages, including blackouts" in Germany are "unlikely". However, they outline four measures to reduce the risks of a large-scale blackout.

The energy supply and service company "enercity" reveals which aspects tenants should look out for when searching for accommodation and how they can identify energy guzzlers. Among other things, tenants should check the apartment with regard to the spatial conditions, the condition of windows and doors and the presence of mold. They can also find out about the condition of the heating system,...

How can innovation activities of online communities be better assessed? The Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) and the Technical University of Berlin have now investigated this question. In their research project "Peer Innovation", the institutions have developed an open-source toolbox that examines the innovation activities of peer communities...

The Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzvb) advises customers affected by terminations without notice by their energy suppliers to claim compensation. According to the vzbv, the customers have suffered damage because they have fallen into the basic energy supply through no fault of their own. Customers often pay higher prices for the basic energy supply than for tariffs they have chosen themselves. Affected customers...

In terms of net electricity generation, photovoltaics, among other things, increased from 2021 to 2022. This was reported by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. According to the report, solar power generation increased by 19 percent from 2021 to 2022. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE attributes this to the expansion on the one hand and the sunny weather on the other. Overall, the German...

Until Friday, March 31, cities, districts and municipalities can enter their exemplary climate protection projects in the nationwide "Climate Active Municipality 2023" competition organized by the German Institute of Urban Affairs (Difu), the National Climate Initiative (NKI) and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK). The winners can look forward to prize money of 25,000 euros each, which...

The Free State of Bavaria wants to become a modern digital state with the help of so-called "digital twins". A "digital twin" is the mapping of an object from the real world into the virtual world. The aim is to simulate various processes with the help of digital twins. These can be situations from road traffic, for example. With the help of the...