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More than just energy supply
 

Innovative storage systems are advanced technologies that have been developed to store energy efficiently and retrieve it when needed. These systems use materials with high thermal capacity, such as salts or PCM (phase change materials), to store thermal energy and retain it over longer periods of time. Thermal storage systems can be used in various applications, such as in solar thermal systems to store solar heat for the night or in industrial processes to optimize energy consumption. At BE-U | Behrens-Ufer, a storage system in the form of an ice storage unit is used to store energy efficiently and retrieve it when needed. Innovative storage systems play an important role in the transformation of the energy sector towards a more sustainable and climate-friendly energy supply.

Water-bearing clay ceilings are a sustainable solution for regulating the temperature in buildings, as they can absorb and release moisture, resulting in a pleasant indoor climate and reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling. These ceilings help to improve air quality by absorbing pollutants from the air and thus further improving the indoor climate. They also conserve resources, as clay is a natural and locally available building material. Compared to other materials such as concrete or plaster, the production and processing of earth requires less energy and therefore helps to reduce the environmental impact. Water-bearing clay ceilings are also durable and can be used for decades with the right care. These properties make them an attractive option and combine sustainability and comfort in buildings.

Photovoltaic façade elements are special components that are integrated into the façades of buildings and convert sunlight into electrical energy. These elements consist of solar cells, which are usually made of semiconductor materials such as silicon. When sunlight hits the solar cells, electrons are excited and set in motion, generating an electric current. This electricity can then either be used directly to power electrical devices or stored in batteries. Photovoltaic façade elements differ from conventional solar panels on roofs due to their vertical orientation and their integration into the architecture of the building. As a result, they can not only contribute to energy generation, but also serve as an architectural design element. They also offer the advantage of utilizing additional space for solar energy generation, especially in urban environments where roof space can be limited.

Integrated rainwater retention systems are devices that are built into building structures and collect, store and use rainwater. They consist of various components such as roof drains, gutters, storage tanks and filters. When it rains, the rainwater flows from the roofs or other surfaces into the collection systems. The systems filter the collected rainwater to remove impurities before it is stored in a storage tank. This collected rainwater can then be used for various purposes, such as watering plants, flushing toilets or for industrial processes. By integrating such systems into the neighborhood, the consumption of fresh water can be reduced, which both lowers costs and helps to conserve natural water resources.

Deep geothermal energy uses the natural heat from the earth’s interior to generate energy, thereby tapping into a renewable, base load-capable and climate-friendly energy source. The BE-U uses Eavor-Loop technology, which is based on the closed loop principle.The Eavor-Loop uses a horizontal system of boreholes at a depth of 4500 to 5000m.The fluid circulating here is heated by the natural heat in the rock and transported to the surface by thermosiphons without a pump.There, the thermal energy can be used via heat exchangers to generate steam, which drives a turbine and produces electricity. Once the water has cooled down, it is fed back into the underground network to be reheated. Eavor-Loop offers several advantages over conventional geothermal systems, including reduced environmental impact as there is no direct impact on the geological structure, and improved efficiency through the use of constant geothermal heat sources in horizontal boreholes.

Solar energy is a clean and renewable energy source that contributes to electricity generation through the use of solar panels, thus reducing CO2 emissions and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Rooftop solar energy is generated by installing solar panels that absorb sunlight and convert it into electrical energy. This direct current is then converted into alternating current by an inverter, which can be used directly and fed into the district’s electricity grid. Solar systems can also be coupled with battery storage systems to store surplus energy for later use or to serve as an emergency power source. In addition, solar panels can be installed at various locations in the neighborhood, offering a versatile solution for decentralized energy generation. Investing in solar energy not only helps to reduce the environmental impact, but also offers long-term cost savings and independence from external energy sources.

Innovative recycling systems use state-of-the-art technologies to sort, recycle and reuse waste materials, helping to reduce environmental impact and conserve natural resources. For example, thermal recycling of waste paper in combined heat and power plants generates heat to heat water and produce steam, which drives a turbine and generates electricity. The resulting heat can also be used for heating purposes, while the CO2 emissions can be fed into the vertical farming plant. This means that the quantities of CO2 required for vertical farming do not have to be purchased at high cost and can be provided locally in a circular manner.

Sustainable timber construction uses wood as the main building material, which has a lower carbon footprint than traditional building materials such as concrete or steel and therefore helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.In addition, as a renewable raw material, wood offers the possibility of long-term use and contributes to the conservation of natural resources.Thanks to state-of-the-art production techniques and innovative construction methods, timber buildings can achieve high energy efficiency and good insulation values, which leads to a further reduction in energy consumption over the life of the building.In addition, the use of wood creates a warm and pleasant atmosphere and thus promotes the well-being of users.Timber buildings are also flexible and can be easily adapted or extended to meet different needs.These properties make wood an attractive building material and help to promote a sustainable building culture.

Charging stations for e-mobility are important infrastructure elements that promote an environmentally friendly alternative to the combustion engine by offering electric vehicles the opportunity to charge their batteries quickly and efficiently.They offer different charging speeds, interoperability for different vehicle models and are equipped with smart technology to monitor and control the charging process.A high three-digit number of parking spaces with e-charging facilities will be created on the site.By integrating the charging stations with renewable energy sources and the intelligent network at BE-U, we ensure more efficient use and minimal strain on the power grid.

Fiber optic daylighting for interiors works by using fiber optic cables to transmit sunlight from the outside of a building to the inside. A light collector is installed on the outside of the building, which captures the incoming sunlight. The light is then guided through the building using fiber optic cables and transported to the desired interior spaces.This system offers a sustainable and energy-efficient way of providing interior spaces with daylight without relying on conventional artificial lighting.It reduces the need for electric lighting during the day and helps to create a pleasant and healthy environment by bringing natural light indoors.

LowEx networks, also known as low-energy distribution systems, are special heating and cooling systems that aim to reduce energy consumption in buildings.They are based on the principle of efficient distribution of heating and cooling energy at the lowest possible temperatures compared to conventional systems.These networks usually use heat exchangers to obtain thermal energy from renewable sources such as solar panels, geothermal energy or other alternative energy sources.The heat generated is transported to individual buildings via a network of pipes. In the building itself, the heat energy is distributed using underfloor heating, radiant ceiling panels or other low-temperature heating systems. Compared to conventional systems, lower flow temperatures are required, resulting in reduced energy consumption. LowEx networks can also be used for cooling by running cold water through the network of pipes. This enables efficient room cooling with low energy consumption. In this way, LowEx networks help to reduce energy consumption in buildings, improve comfort and reduce environmental impact.

Vertical farming is an innovative agricultural method in which plants are grown in vertical systems to make optimum use of the available space. The plants grow in hydroponic or aeroponic systems, without soil, and are supplied with nutrient solutions. Artificial light, often in the form of LEDs, replaces sunlight, enabling year-round production of fresh produce, especially in urban areas or with limited agricultural space.This method significantly reduces water and land consumption compared to conventional farming, resulting in a more efficient use of scarce resources.In addition, vertical farming offers the opportunity to bring food cultivation closer to consumers, resulting in shorter transportation distances and a reduction in CO2 emissions from transportation.This sustainable farming method thus helps to improve food security in urban environments and reduce dependence on distant agricultural areas.

News from the new energy LAB

Contact person

Head of new energy LAB
Dr. Sarah Perumalla

newenergylab@be-u.berlin

Unsere Partner

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