building and energy concept
Innovation at conventional prices
Sloping façade of the inner courtyard with integrated PV modules
The Solar Info Center focuses on power supply solutions that combine quality architecture and particularly low environmental impact.
Architects, engineers, and facility managers elaborate integrated plans that present an exemplary energy concept with innovative constituents – and that at conventional prices. The concept aims to optimise the energy needed to maintain buildings. In doing so, it focuses on minimising heating and cooling loads, with integrated heat recovery and renewable energy sources like geothermics, photovoltaics and solar thermics. In the summer, indoor temperatures are maintained at a pleasant level by automated shades in conjunction with natural night air cooling.
Energy efficiency
Heating requirements are reduced to 30 kWh/m2 thanks to the building’s compact structure, the above average thermal insulation of its envelope, and the passive solar energy yield. A great many energy saving devices reduce the energy needs to 10 W/m2.
The heating concept
The Solar Info Center receives its heat directly from a district network that is fed by the nearby CHP station run by the university clinics. By investing in a modern heat recovery system, the CHP station operators save as much energy as the Solar Info Center needs to run. This heat recovery system is financed by contract users. Owing to the low heating needs, this financing is borne without the additional costs accruing to users of conventional heating systems.
The outcome is the nation’s first 100% emission free heating energy supply certified for an office building, a system that recovers considerably more than the building needs.
This innovative heating supply concept developed by the Solar Info Center was tested by the applied sciences centre ZAFH at Stuttgart University’s institutes.
Natural cooling
The intelligent arrangement of windows optimises daylight yield and prevents overheating. In summer, cool night air enters the rooms through fresh air elements integrated in the external facade.
The seminar area is air conditioned in addition by cooled air from a depth of 80 m in the earth. In winter, the same principle serves to preheat the air drawn from the outside.
Solar energy
The test and facade areas are used to demonstrate solar thermics and photovoltaics, illustrating the architectural possibilities, characteristic engineering values, and the practical and ecological benefits. The multipurpose electricity is generated from 100% renewable sources: the 55 kWp photovoltaic installations on and at the building and purchased green electricity.
