Measurement system for contactless energetic analyses of building envelopes
In Gtom scientists from four DLR institutes collaborate in developing methods to examine the energetic properties of building envelopes. These techniques are based on remote sensing technology and may be applied in the future to identify weaknesses in building envelopes and determine the sources of heat losses.
3D-model of Berlin-Moabit-West which was generated from camera images that have been taken from a small airplane. Roofs and windows are detected automatically. Source: DLR OS-SEC
The scientists address one of the key challenges of the Energiewende, Germany’s transition of the energy system to renewable sources. Right now the thermal energy to heat buildings is mainly created by burning fossil fuels. It makes up almost a third of the total energy consumption in Germany. Therefore, the German government is aiming to reduce that the primary energy consumption in buildings by 80 percent until 2050 compared to the levels of 2008. This requires an increased energy efficiency of new and refurbished buildings. Currently roughly one percent of the German building stock is renovated each year. However, to meet the Government’s objective the renovation rate has to increase significantly. This results in a high demand for methods to analyse the building stock which identify buildings with high potential for energy savings. At the same time, techniques are required to examine individual buildings with a high level of precision at low costs.
Drone with camera during a measurement. Source: DLR
Gtom uses data from modern measurement and sensor systems to create virtual building models. These may be used for energetic simulations or to set up individually designed refurbishment plans. Measurements after a renovation serve as a quality check.The measurement techniques include RGB, infrared and hyperspectral analyses, which interpret camera images with about 100 channels in the visible and infrared spectral range, as well as radar and ultrasound. The sensors are carried by satellites, airplanes or drones. A special focus lies on the combination of the techniques to obtain a complete three-dimensional analysis of a building envelope.
The project is coordinated by the Institute of Solar Research at the DLR. Other collaborating institutes from the DLR are the Microwaves and Radar Institute, the Remote Sensing Technology Institute and the Institute of Optical Sensor Systems. The Solar-Institut-Jülich of the FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences is also part of the consortium.
DLR Microwaves and Radar Institute
DLR Remote Sensing Technology Institute
DLR Institute of Optical Sensor Systems
Solarinstitut Jülich, FH Aachen
Supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy