International Rosenheim Window and Facade Conference 2011 (download)

What will 2020 hold? The new energy policy and its consequences

Seven million – that is the number of hits Google produces when you enter the term “Energie­wende” (energy turnaround). One thing is clear, and that is that the energy turnaround can only work if more renewable energy is generated and buildings are upgraded to better energy conservation standards. To achieve this, the quality of the building envelope with new windows and facades plays a central role. The products for future plus-energy houses are already available today. The International Window and Facade Conference will demonstrate how building components can be developed into construction systems which can easily be integrated into buildings.

What needs to be done? Should we really reduce U-values further or are there better technologies? Harnessing solar energy certainly is a viable option, for example by the intelligent use of glass with improved g-values or by using photovoltaics on the building envelope. Energy losses can be further reduced by better controlled ventilation to suit users’ needs, via mechatronic windows, and through effective solar shading and daylight control. This is also the reason why this development is encouraged by KfW and EnEV funding and needs to be supported with other evaluation procedures. 

This article is also available in German.