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The zafh.net was started in 2002 as a project with the ambitious aim to establish a centre of competence and expertise on building energy research in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg (Germany). Three universities of applied sciences gathered their knowledge on different focuses to develop new energy management strategies and methods for a sustainable building operation. Solutions for networking had to be found at different locations using various hardware and software tools. The success of the zafh.net lies in the networking of scientists, developers, building managers. zafh.net operates automation devices via Internet or other communication channels. Various software tools run at different locations using distributed expertise for a better matching of energy supplies and energy demands. The foundation of the zafh.net R&D collective was supported by the Foundation Landesstiftung Baden-Württemberg. The enlarged network comprises today:

University of Applied Sciences Offenburg

The research group in Offenburg works on monitoring projects in the areas of solar thermal systems for heating and cooling and energy-optimised non-residential buildings. Within these tasks, modern communication technologies as well as internet based services and networking of expert knowledge is applied. With the development of an intelligent dynamic operation tool for buildings, modules such as weather forecasts and simulation are created for energy management purposes in order to raise energy efficiency and to reduce the use of fossil fuels. The experience gained with the operation of particular buildings and the implementation of renewable energy supply concepts play an important role in defining criteria for a sustainable operation of communal buildings or city districts.

University of Applied Sciences Biberach

The zafh.net partner in Biberach investigates tasks and questions from the areas of building climatics and energy technology such as: sustainability of buildings and energy concepts, measurement and control technology, overall building and room automation, communication and information technology, façade technique and automation, energy and building management, building and facility monitoring or simulation, thermal component activation with geothermal energy and heat pumps. At the Biberach University of Applied Sciences, the building called Technikum G is a 1:1 proportioned teaching and research building. Several laboratories as well as test facilities are available for practice-oriented teaching and R&D projects.

University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart

The main competences of the zafh.net partner Stuttgart are building physics, solar heating and cooling, photovoltaic energy and the modelling and simulation of systems, e.g. with the simulation environment INSEL. Important research topics are: building process control, facility management, geothermal energy use, geoinformatics, daylighting and energy concepts for buildings. The partner coordinates several large European and national projects involving communal energy management for sustainable energy supply of buildings as well as product development of innovative buildings materials with vacuum insulation or phase change materials.

University of Applied Science Mannheim, Agency of Coordination of R&D

The Agency of Coordination of R&D is a service centre supporting all Universities of Applied Sciences in Baden-Württemberg with regard to their research activities, e.g. as to presenting and documenting R&D projects, public relation in general and providing assistance to acquire project funding.

Baden-Württemberg International

The agency for International Economic and Scientific Cooperation initiates international cooperation through programs aimed at penetrating key markets across the globe. It promotes the federal state Baden-Württemberg as a centre of business, education, and research – both at home and abroad. In addition, there is an offer for advice and assistance for foreign companies looking to invest in Baden-Württemberg and organize projects in selected countries. Baden-Württemberg International provides business and cooperation partners, market analysis and market entry strategies, location and site offers/visits.

Activities in the funded project:

Conferences and workshops on sustainable energy management of buildings and districts based on building automation and advanced tools for planning and operation. Planned activities are three symposia in Boston, Chicago, and Toronto as well as two conference and expo participations at the AAAS Annual Meeting 2009 in Chicago and the Green Building Conference & Expo 2009.

Networking opportunities for R&D cooperation in the energy related subjects of buildings, districts and especially Green Buildings.

Interactive computer based platform to exchange data and knowledge on best-practice-projects in all zafh.net topics, which will be used as references for Green-Building projects. As an open research platform all partners can launch inquiries on special issues on energy related topics. The zafh.net will provide validated data on several projects, actually monitored by zafh.net partners.