TU the FuTUre
TU Wien is going green, climate friendly and energy efficient. In fact, this has been certified by the FMA (Facility Management Austria)!
TU Wien received this award from the FMA for the improvement initiatives we carried out on Getreidemarkt with BIG FS. And we are very proud that our initiatives are being recognised by the experts at the FMA.
Every kWh we don't consume truly protects the climate
© Zgjim Hajdini
BC & BD buildings
We know how expensive electricity has become, which is why we're all aiming to "save energy". Energy is best saved where it is consumed in large amounts – for example, in a busy laboratory like the one in the BC building.
Together with the building's users and BIG FS, we took on this task and identified extensive potential to cut back on energy use. The Efficiency Team modified ventilation systems in labs and lecture theatres, controlled light conditions, utilised the free cooling model and adapted rooms with specific temperature requirements to match our efficiency targets. Plus, the lighting system had already been changed over to LED.
One very effective measure consisted of identifying areas where we can reduce ventilation (heating/cooling) to a minimum when no one is using them. This measure uses existing systems and ensures users are just as comfortable as before – but has a huge impact in terms of our budget.
We are currently looking at installing photovoltaic systems as well.
Further initiatives are already in the pipeline.
And here's another key milestone in energy efficiency at TU Wien:
BF building
On 18 August 2023, we were officially given the keys to the BF building on Getreidemarkt. This building is a nearly zero energy laboratory.
In future, it will house the Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering on a total area measuring 9,400 m².
© Bild: Matthias Heisler / Ing. Christian Krottendorfer, GUT Leitung Monika Ebner, Rektorin Sabine Seidler, Vizerektor Josef Eberhardsteiner, Ing. Gerhard Kratochwil
This building's unique energy advantages include:
- Nearly zero energy building with particularly high energy performance
- All façades and the roof are airtight and equipped with a high level of thermal insulation
- Preparations for a photovoltaic system are under way
- Night ventilation system for office area saves energy on cooling
- Heat recovery via ultra-efficient ventilation systems (75% of outlet air)
- Even the lift generates energy
- Energy-saving LED lighting
- Ventilation activated by motion sensors
- Optimised air exchange
- Green façades
This ensures that every kWh of energy is used efficiently and that TU Wien is going greener and more sustainable.
The BF building is one of a number of new, energy-efficient buildings being put in place by TU Wien. This includes the below, among others.
BA building on Getreidemarkt led the way
Most of us will still remember the incredible innovations that BA achieved. But it's still worth highlighting these features of the world's first energy-plus office tower:
- Photovoltaic systems covering over 2,000 m² of the walls and roof (328.4 kWp)
- An ultra-efficient ventilation system with heat and moisture recovery
- Core and night ventilation system
- LED lighting and motion sensors throughout
- Passive façade with integrated solar protection
- Energy recovery from lift system
- Waste heat from servers is used to heat building
The building generates more energy than what is required for its operation and use.
This has resulted in energy savings of 90% compared to when it was run as the 'Chemiehochhaus' chemistry block. Prior to refurbishment, the old laboratory building consumed 803 kWh per square metre of gross floor space – and now just 56 kWh per square metre.
What's more, TU Wien and its partners have received numerous awards and prizes for this approach, including the Austrian State Prize for Environmental and Energy Technology 2015; the 'klimaaktiv GOLD-Plakette' from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management (1,000 out of 1,000 points); the Austrian Solar Prize 2015 from EUROSOLAR AUSTRIA and many more.
ZE on Stadionallee
TU Wien also boasts another new, energy-efficient building. The new ZE building next to the Institute of Atomic and Subatomic Physics has been designated as a low-energy building. A joint project between BIG and TU Wien, ZE is nearly energy self-sufficient.
The building has minimal heating and cooling requirements thanks to the enhanced building envelope, while the heat recovery via the ventilation systems, the night ventilation system, LEDs and energy-efficient office equipment greatly reduce energy consumption. There is also a 520-m² photovoltaic system located on the roof.
What else are we doing?
Plans are in place to green building façades, and we will only be using green electricity certified as per Austria's UZ 46 ecolabel from 2025 onwards.
We are also looking at additional photovoltaic systems across TU Wien. At present, we are already generating solar power on Getreidemarkt and Stadionallee (ZE) as well as at two locations on Lilienthalgasse. Assessing the use of geothermal energy is also on our to-do list.
We'll be sharing more initiatives that are set to give us a smaller ecological footprint (CO2) and reduce our energy requirements.
The energy savings we make (both financially and in terms of carbon) will benefit us all.
Even though we already mentioned it above, it's definitely worth saying again:
Every kWh we save truly protects the climate!
Who are we?
The Energy Efficiency Team is made up of users from Getreidemarkt, TU.it, BIG FS and TU GUT.