integraTE-XL

The “integraTE-XL” project focuses on important monitoring findings from PVT collectors and heat pumps in the building sector. The project is a BMWI-funded initiative in which Fraunhofer ISE is conducting research together with its partners IGTE (University of Stuttgart) and ISFH since 2019.

Metrological monitoring of building energy supply with PVT collectors will take place at up to nine demonstration plants, including buildings from all sectors, such as apartment buildings, commercial, office buildings and industry. 

The aim is to ensure quality assurance and improve the quality of these energy-efficient technologies, as these systems are now technically and economically attractive for thermal and electrical energy supply and should therefore be established in existing large apartment buildings and commercial properties.

By implementing PVT systems, it is expected that a total saving of around 560 million tons of CO2 can be achieved over the next 25 years with a technology share of PVT of just five percent in all newly renovated apartment buildings.

The aim of the “integraTE-XL” project is further quality assurance and quality improvement of PVT collectors and heat pumps in existing large apartment buildings and commercial properties. The previous integraTE project already focused on establishing these energy-efficient technologies, as these systems are now technically and economically attractive for thermal and electrical energy supply. They also contribute to the climate target: With the implementation of PVT systems in future renovated buildings, a total saving of around 560 million tons of CO2 can be achieved over the next 25 years with a share of only five percent.

In order to demonstrate the efficiency of PVT systems, up to nine PVT systems will be examined in detail over a period of several years and optimized if necessary. The demonstration systems are buildings from all sectors, such as apartment buildings, businesses, office buildings and industry.

During monitoring, measurement data is collected and then compared and analyzed with assumptions from planning and simulation. Finally, an analysis and evaluation is carried out with regard to potential improvements in efficiency and grid serviceability. Finally, measures for operational optimization are developed together with system operators.

As the monitoring takes place over several years, it forms the basis for long-term investigations into the stability of these systems.

The findings from the commissioning and operation of the systems will ultimately be processed and made available as a knowledge base for future installations.

Another important aim of the project is to make a well-founded contribution to knowledge that will help to establish PVT systems.

Together with many companies, target group-specific marketing materials are being developed. In addition, a “PVT chatbot” is to be implemented for the automated answering of inquiries from potential customers.

Planning and design tools are planned as accompanying measures for the establishment of PVT systems, which will then be made available to market participants.

The technical and economic findings resulting from the project will be prepared for the design of political framework conditions (e.g. funding schemes) and introduced to the relevant committees and communicated to decision-makers.

In order to utilize international experience in the field of PVT collectors and PVT systems for the project and to make the results resulting from integraTE-XL available to a broad international specialist public, the project is managed and actively involved in the IEA SHC Task “PVT Heating Systems”.