EnergyFlexHouse
EnergyFlexHouse
Danish Technological Institute has build a unique, future-orientated and flexible development and demonstration platform in co-operation with Henning Larsen Architects A/S. EnergyFlexHouse is located on the premises of Danish Technological Institute in Taastrup. The construction work has been finalised in 2009.
New thinking, innovation and development
EnergyFlexHouse is a high-tech laboratory – a facility for developing, testing and demonstrating overall innovative energy solutions for the building industry. Solutions where the interplay between installations, the building, the end-user and the energy system are crucial for adaptation, use and real effect of well-documented individual technologies. “Flex” denotes that the building envelope and installations can be adapted or replaced individually and easily.
ENERGYFLEXHOUSE IN BRIEF
EnergyFlexHouse comprises two buildings which provide a framework for collaboration between Danish Technological Institute and Danish companies. EnergyFlexHouse has two main functions, one in each building:
EnergyFlexLab
- developing and testing – is a technical development facility where different elements of the building envelope, energy installations and control systems are developed and optimised together.
EnergyFlexFamily
- testing new solutions – is a similarly detached housing unit in which focus is on the use of technology – intelligent control of installations and equipment, interactive user interfaces and interplay with the energy system as a whole.
Technology and new thinking
At EnergyFlexHouse, we work with technology and new thinking in areas such as:
- Utility supply, individual production of heat and electricity, renewable energy. Micro-cogeneration, fuel cells, solar panels, solar-powered systems, pellet burners, wood-burning stoves, district heating, heat pumps, hot-water sy-stems, etc.
- Control and intelligence. Intelligent controls, interactive user interfaces, control strategies and system demand controls, etc.
- Installations and equipment. Radiators, under-floor heating, ventilation, heat recovery, water, lighting, cooling systems, LEDs, electrical equipment, etc.
- Energy-efficient building design. Low-energy windows, climate windows, movable insulation systems, vacuum insulation, etc.
- Accumulation of heat and electricity. Heat accumulation, use of PCM (Phase-Changing Materials), thermoactive constructions, batteries, charging points for electric cars, networked solar panels and heat stores.
ENERGY FLEX LAB
Developing and testing – is a technical development facility where different elements of the building envelope, energy installations and control systems are developed and optimised together.
ENERGY FLEX FAMILY
Testing new solutions – is a similarly detached housing unit in which the focus is on the use of technology – intelligent control of installations and equipment, interactive user interfaces and interplay with the energy system as a whole.
OPPORTUNITIES
EnergyFlexHouse includes opportunities for developing, testing and demonstrating total, innovative energy solutions, where the interplay between installations, the building, the user and the energy system is crucial for the result.
EnergyFlexHouse will give Denmark a cutting edge within innovation and energy efficient solutions for buildings and will at the same time strengthen sales opportunities for Danish companies in the growing national and international markets for energy efficient products and buildings.
EnergyFlexHouse is a unique innovation platform for companies, where energy-efficient products are developed, documented and demonstrated in collaboration with each other and under realistic conditions.
EnergyFlexHouse is the dynamic framework for the innovation process – straight from idea development, design and product maturing up to market penetration.
EnergyFlexHouse is a high-tech platform for collaboration between the Danish Technological Institute, idea developers/entrepreneurs, manufacturers, suppliers, consultants, end users, research institutions, centres of expertise, foundations, etc. both in Denmark and abroad.
The concept is new. It provides an opportunity to develop total, cost-effective solutions to supplement solutions based on traditional sub-optimisation by testing individual components. The method replaces simulation, which is the only other option. Therefore ‘EnergyFlexHouse’ is an important link in the innovation process from development of the idea, prototype development and product maturing up to their market penetration.
Activities in the EnergyFlexHouse are continuously coordinated with activities and experience from Danish Technological Institute’s other relevant testing conditions and laboratories.
The collaboration between the companies and Danish Technological Institute at the ‘EnergyFlexHouse’ must:
- Develop, optimise and demonstrate energy-efficient systems and components that can highlight Danish energy efficient construction in international development and thus contribute to a new export success story based on Danish spearhead competences;
- Contribute to the international promotion of Danish energy technology and innovation in connection with the global challenges in general, and specifically in connection with the climate summit in 2009.
