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Houses like trees, cities like forests - with our solutions we contribute to buildings becoming energy producers instead of energy guzzlers.

It is expected that by 2040 the global energy demand will increase by more than 1/4. In view of the climate catastrophe, it is therefore all the more important that we significantly increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix as well as energy efficiency. All people should have access to affordable, reliable and modern energy.

We develop façades with integrated photovoltaic modules and heat-insulating properties, promote innovations and participate in research projects for a climate-friendly energy supply.

Research project PRÄKLIMA

in cooperation with the Technical University of Dresden (Building Construction and Computer Science), Netzwerker AG and Priedemann Facade Lab.

The result of the research project 'PRÄKLIMA' is a self-sufficient element facade for room air conditioning with predictive, self-learning control. A constructive solution was developed in which a window and various systems such as a photovoltaic (PV) module, an electricity storage unit and an air collector with the connection technology are integrated into thermally insulated elements.

The elements were tested on a test facade in the outdoor area and integrated into an intelligent control system. The following functions of the facade system were proven by means of simulations and monitoring over several months:

Self-sufficient room air conditioning as a modular, prefabricated system independent of the building core without supply line connections

Energy saving and comfort through a predictive control of the facade condition with consideration of indoor and outdoor conditions. Fast and easy-to-compute control of the facade and integrated room air-conditioning systems as well as knowledge of user behaviour by means of a self-learning effect. The results have been and will continue to be published through contributions at conferences and by means of an exhibition demonstrator.

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Element facade with integrated photovoltaics

The New Blauhaus - an office complex in passive house standard - is home to various teaching and administrative units of the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, the university library, the "Blauschmiede" with offices for start-ups, and the "Innovatorium", an energy laboratory for pupils and students.

The resource-saving energy generation via photovoltaic elements integrated into the striking façade presented us with new challenges. Our technicians fiddled with the various edges and angles and managed to ensure that the photovoltaic elements in the aluminium façade could absorb and utilise the optimum amount of sunlight via different angles of inclination. And without breaking the symmetry of the surfaces.

The way to new energy

The ITER project (English for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) is one of the most ambitious international research projects for electricity generation from fusion energy!
In the south of France, 35 nations are working together to build the world's largest tokamak, a magnetic fusion device that will prove the feasibility of fusion as and safe, carbon-free and virtually unlimited source of energy on a large scale, based on the same principle that powers our sun and stars

The fusion process at ITER requires a small amount of tritium, a radioactive form of hydrogen with a half-life of 12.3 years. The confinement of this radioactive element within the fuel cycle is one of the most important safety objectives at ITER. The high-security gates manufactured by SOMMER are durable, airtight and watertight, and protect against radioactive radiation and heat. Even in the event of a catastrophic rupture in the tokamak, radioactivity levels outside the ITER enclosure would remain very low. In "worst-case scenarios", such as a fire in the tritium plant, evacuation of neighbouring populations would not be necessary.
Fusion reactors, unlike fission reactors, do not produce high-level/long-lived radioactive waste. All waste materials are treated, packaged and stored on site.