The new platform is designed to offer the best solutions for energy-efficient retrofitting of heating and cooling systems in a quick and easy manner. All that is needed for the initial calculations is the location and decade in which the building was built.
Laypersons can use the platform without any special prior knowledge, as the platform suggests standard values through which they can find a solution according to their requirements. Experts have access to a specially designed mode that allows them to conduct simulations with several setting options. The platform includes solutions with options such as oil, gas, biomass or coal heating, heat storage, and air/water or absorption heat pumps.
The platform was developed as part of the Heat4Cool project, a Horizon 2020 programme that is funded by both the EU and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). In this project, research is being carried out at the European level to identify the most efficient renovation measures for improving energy efficiency. Renewable energy sources and new processes for waste heat recovery are being incorporated into the work of those involved, and the newly developed solutions are being tested in buildings and sites at five different European locations.
In many cases, renovating the building envelope is the most sensible way to improve energy efficiency, but the platform from the HSLU researchers offers an alternative when such renovations are not feasible for financial reasons.
