The future of energy management - predictive heating controllers and smart juggling of energy flows

Either too hot or too cold: Maintaining the perfect desired temperature in buildings is a challenge.

Conventional heating controls usually react only when it is too late, and then all the more aggressively. For example, a room continues to be heated during the day despite strong sunlight, or a drop in temperature at night is compensated for too slowly. This costs energy and ultimately, money. In view of the current energy crisis, many questions arise: How can heating or cooling be done as efficiently and sustainably as possible? How can renewable energy sources and efficient storage technologies be seamlessly integrated into our energy system, and how can we achieve dynamic interaction between a wide range of technologies, which is ultimately crucial for a sustainable energy future?

Empa researchers are exploring these questions and researching on digital solutions. This first part of our live stream presents two projects at the building and district levels, showing how digital technologies can be used to optimize energy management.

• viboo, an Empa spin-off, has developed a self-learning algorithm that regulates the indoor climate in a predictive manner. This allows buildings to be cooled or heated more efficiently, saving up to a third of energy.
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• ehub, Empa's energy demonstrator, combines a variety of technologies for generating, converting, transporting and storing energy with the goal of optimizing energy management from the component to the district level.
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