The future electricity system in Germany will be strongly influenced by the energy transition. Due to the increasing share of renewable energies and the associated fluctuations in electricity generation, solutions must be developed that stabilise the electricity grid, i.e. bring electricity consumption into line with electricity generation. In this case, the SynErgie project aims to research and demonstrate how energy-intensive production processes can be adapted to fluctuating power supplies in order to make a contribution to the success of the energy transition. In addition, this will create the conditions for Germany to become the leading provider of new technologies and processes that link energy-intensive, individualized industrial processes with the volatile feed-in of renewable energies.

One solution is the thermal zoning of individual machines or production processes with particularly high demands on room air temperature or room air quality, so that it’s not necessary to condition the entire production hall. For this purpose, modular supply and climate control elements made of micro-reinforced, ultra-high performance concrete which is thermally activated with capillary tube matting are being developed as a structural retrofit solution.

The living laboratory DELTA (“Darmstädter Energie-Labor für Technologien in der Anwendung”, funding code: 03EWR002A-K) acts as a showcase for the urban energy transition to demonstrate energy-optimized districts. The aim is to show that proven techniques for increasing energy efficiency and flexibility are economically feasible and socially acceptable. As a living laboratory, DELTA wants to act as a role model and obtain results that can also be transferred to other cities. Several actors have joined forces for this in Darmstadt. These include large industrial companies, small medium-sized companies, start-ups, municipal companies and research institutions; coordinated by the TU Darmstadt.

A multi-layered, cross-sectoral approach is pursued within the project. The focus is on the consistent increase in energy efficiency in all sectors, which is already seen today as the greatest usable potential of the energy transition. Both are achieved through the intelligent linking of individual quarters of the urban energy system and through sector coupling.

Sub-project 1 is realizing an energy-optimized residential area for around 3000 people, taking into account affordable living space on the site of two former US barracks. In order to be able to implement the climate and energy policy goals of the federal government in the building sector, it is necessary to increase energy efficiency and energy flexibility through the use of innovative building technology in addition to the use of sustainable building materials. In combination with intelligent, electrical and thermal networking, this forms the cornerstone of today's energy-optimized residential areas. In addition, innovative (cooperative) business models are being developed in order to be able to operate the emerging energy system without subsidies. Thus, all players in the energy system can participate in the energetic and economic potential.