Since in the EU the construction sector accounts for more than 40% of the total energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, the potential for energy savings through the use of new technologies in this sector is enormous.

The energy department is therefore researching innovative solutions for reducing emissions in the built environment – from the small scale building system and structure up to large scale urban development.

The team boasts specialist know-how in the development and optimisation of thermal components for heating and climate control, particularly in the area of heat pump technology and solar thermal energy.

At building level, design concepts for sustainable buildings based on renewable energy sources and innovative control strategies are created.

In an urban context, these individual concepts are combined to form single sustainable energy concepts which can be used to realise the vision of the "Smart City".