Energy systems for buildings
Innovative building energy systems – intelligently connected, solar-powered and ready for a climate-neutral future.
Research for climate-friendly heat and power supply in buildings
The energy transition begins in buildings. At ISFH, we conduct research on intelligently coupled heating and power systems that can sustainably, solar-assisted, and economically meet the energy needs of single-family homes, multi-family buildings, neighborhoods, and public facilities.
The core of the Building energy systems research area lies in the collaboration between the two groups Thermal energy systems and Electrical energy systems, which together develop cross-sectoral solutions for the building technologies of tomorrow.
Thermal energy systems
This group develops and investigates regenerative heating concepts that operate with high efficiency by combining central and decentralized components, utilizing sustainable heat sources such as PVT collectors and geothermal systems, and applying optimized operation strategies. Key research topics include:
• Heat distribution in multi-family buildings
• Domestic hot water supply using flow-through systems
• Local district heating for residential neighborhoods
• HiL system testing & simulations using TRNSYS
Electrical energy systems
The focus here is on the intelligent coupling of electricity and heat—for example, photovoltaic systems, battery storage, and heat pumps as integrated supply systems. Activities include:
• Developing monitoring solutions for laboratory and field use
• Simulating supply options for buildings and neighborhoods
• Developing and testing control strategies
• Validating solutions in lab and real-world environments
Our goal / vision
The building energy systems of the future are interconnected, cross-sectoral, and user-oriented. We combine applied research with practical implementation—from component development to full system integration in real buildings.
Research groups working on this topic
Projects in this topic area
Solar VHF
Solar thermal activation of rear-ventilated facades for multi-storey residential buildings: Development, integration into the energy supply system and demonstration
WQeff
Efficient heat pump districts – Efficient, renewable, and grid-friendly operation of heat pump districts
WoSta 4.0
Development of smart heat interface units and demonstration of networked, highly efficient, regenerative heat supply for Multi-Family Houses, WoSta4.0
UrbanGroundHeat
Heat transition in existing urban districts: Deployment of shallow geothermal energy depending on technical, economic and legal constraints
BIMPV
Retrospective BIM approach for life-cycle oriented integration of BIPV systems in the facade
CORE-KI
CO2 reduction and accelerated renovation through AI-driven strategies and renewable energy in the existing residential building stock
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Silicon solar cells and PV modules
From silicon wafer to PV module: Our research combines material science, cell and module technology, quality assurance, and manufacturing engineering to enable highly efficient, cost-effective, and resource-saving photovoltaic production.
Fabrication and custom manufacturing
Smart, flexible, and cost-effective – at ISFH we create technologies for the production of solar cells and PV modules
Building integration
Building-integrated solar thermal, photovoltaics, and photovoltaic-thermal systems – functional, aesthetic, and efficient. We develop solutions for façades, roofs, and new energy applications.