SHK4FutureEnergysystems – A Tiny House as a Mobile Showroom for Modern Building Technology

The Project

Over six days, students from Offenburg University of Applied Sciences and vocational students from the Richard Fehrenbach Gewerbeschule (Richard Fehrenbach Vocational School) created an information point from a sea container as part of the "SHK4FutureEnergysystems" project initiated by Fraunhofer ISE, which highlights innovative supply technology elements and illustrates how they work for teaching and recruiting young talents in the field of sanitary, heating and air-conditioning. The result is an energy self-sufficient Tiny House with a smart networked and digitally controlled energy supply system.

The following elements of supply engineering are used in the information point:

• Hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic modules
• Off-grid battery storage system
• Reversible heat pump for heating and cooling
• Control systems for surface temperatures of ceilings and floors
• Decentralized ventilation system
• Smart Home technology for monitoring energy flows

The implementation

The joint restructuring process of students and trainees was a central component of the overarching project EnEff2050Begleit on the subject of knowledge transfer between crafts and research.

The following short film gives an impression of the construction process and the entire project:

The usage

The information point is to be used to bring visitors closer to topics relating to energy system transformation in buildings. Due to its self-sufficient energy system and its transportability, it can be used flexibly. The special feature of the container is the combination of technical building installations, which are in real operation during events and guided tours to supply the container, and explanatory elements in the form of visualizations of the energy flows and videos of the container's construction. This gives visitors an interactive experience.  

The information point is to be used primarily at trade fairs and events for vocational and study orientation. But also other purposes, such as events for craftsmen, planners and builders, are desired. On request, the project partners are also happy to offer guided tours of the Tiny House and lectures on building systems technology for school classes in the Upper Rhine region.