Always at the cutting edge. Advancing the energy transition in Engineering & Products.

The SolKaN 2.0 project aims to develop a new generation of local solar heating systems that use water instead of a water/antifreeze mix as the heat transfer fluid. This change is expected to lower investment costs by over 20% and reduce operating expenditure by approximately 10%. Key technical challenges include integrating the ice storage tank and solar air collectors. A heat pump, utilizing natural refrigerants and operating in the range of –10°C to +10°C, discharges the ice storage tank, and its efficiency is crucial. In addition to developing the heat pump, the project focuses on creating an advanced control strategy and testing the SolKaN 2.0 concept at full scale.

Project partner:

• University of Stuttgart, Institute for Building Energy Systems, Thermal Engineering and Energy Storage
• Dresden University of Technology, Bitzer Professorship for Refrigeration, Cryogenics and Compressor Technology

The HeaTwin project is designed to support heat supply decarbonization through the automated creation of thermo-hydraulic simulation models (or ‘digital twins’) for complex systems. These models monitor system behaviour, identify deviations from optimal performance, and thereby improve reliability and efficiency. Based on digital system diagrams generated from BIM (building information modelling) data, this methodology is demonstrated with real-world systems, integrating data at system, functional and component levels. The results are intended to aid energy assessments, fault detection and operational optimization.

Project partner:
University of Kassel, Department of Solar and Systems Engineering

The DARING project seeks to markedly improve the energy efficiency of heat storage tanks used in building energy systems. It features an innovative sensor technology known as a ‘sensor skin’ that measures temperature profiles across the tank’s surface, allowing for more precise energy control. This can enhance heat pump efficiency by up to 10%. The technology uses printable thin-film electronics, providing flexibility in both form and function, which brings cost savings and a better CO₂ balance. DARING is a collaborative effort among experts from research and industry, including TU Dresden, Viessmann Climate Solutions and Cupasol..

Project partner:

• cupasol GmbH
• Dresden University of Technology, Chair of Optoelectronics at the Institute of Applied Physics as well as Chair of Building Technology and Thermal Systems at the Institute of Energy Technology

The ELOS project aims to develop regionally customizable heat pump systems using the hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) method, incorporating robust fault detection into the digital production twin. By linking real data with simulation models, the project supports production controls while preparing for regional customization within a modular method framework. An interface is also added so that consumers can independently assess efficiency. The project’s goal is to facilitate manufacturers in implementing digitization strategies across the entire production and product life cycle, paving the way for new business models.

Project partner:

• Dresden University of Technology, Institute of Energy Technology, Chair of Building Energy Technology and Heat Supply
• Kermi GmbH
• RWTH Aachen University, Chair of Building and Room Air Conditioning Technology

The SHERLOCK research project is focused on optimizing heat pump design for households and businesses using natural refrigerants. The project prioritizes energy efficiency and reduced refrigerant levels by selecting an optimal refrigerant/oil combination and a system design tailored to it. To this end, propane/isobutane mixtures and suitable oils are analysed, and the resulting system behaviour is modelled and tested experimentally. CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulations are employed to enhance components like compressors and heat exchangers, with unique validation data gathered in laboratory settings. The findings are fed into an open-source simulation tool, accelerating the development of more efficient heat pumps and supporting the energy transition.

Project partner:

• Dresden University of Technology, Institute of Energy Technology, Schaufler Professorship for Refrigeration, Cryogenics and Compressor Technology
• RWTH Aachen University, Chair of Building and Room Air Conditioning Technology

The innoBeLs project is developing innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly container concepts for latent storage in solar cooling and heating networks. Unlike conventional, energy-intensive concrete tanks with PE-X pipes, these new concepts aim to reduce resource consumption by 50% and costs by 20%. Building on established storage technologies, such as ground basins and gravel-water storage tanks, the project incorporates technology screening and laboratory testing. The developed concepts are evaluated based on ecological, economic, and technical criteria, with the most promising solution to be tested at full scale.

Project partner:
University of Stuttgart, Institute for Building Energy Systems, Thermal Engineering and Energy Storage