Innovative heat demand analysis

Use Case is part of the DEUTSCHLAND 4.0 Challenge

Status Quo

Sustainable solutions are an ongoing trend in the energy industry.

In the heating sector, digitization brings with it a number of opportunities, but also challenges, which are particularly reflected in the factors economy, society and sustainability.

Now the focus is increasingly shifting to heating. Since heating systems in 1-2 family houses in Germany are only replaced every 20-30 years, there is a great potential here - both in terms of CO2 savings, but also from a purely economic and cost perspective.

In addition to the pure heating components, the installation of a heating system that is suitable for the conditions and needs of the consumer and its maintenance must also be taken into account.

The focus is on innovative and sustainable heating systems that are already available today. In terms of sector coupling, these include in particular electrical heating solutions, but also modern gas condensing boilers, heat pumps, pellet heating systems or fuel cells.

Question

All these modern technical possibilities can and should be considered when replacing a heating system.

The problem: The technical requirements and conditions of the houses as well as the needs of the owners and residents are very individual, so that a sustainable system is not always the best solution.

So how can a sensor-based model be developed that records the individual requirements of the house and the consumer in order to derive the appropriate heating system?

Relevant parameters for technical requirements

How can relevant parameters for heating replacement be recorded and evaluated in a meaningful way?

How can the collected data subsequently be used efficiently to make an offer tailored to the situation?

 Examples of relevant parameters can be

• House: Year of construction, Location, Wall thickness, Insulation, Windows, Balconies
• Other values of the house: temperature, humidity/ventilation curves in all areas (day/night, depending on heating activity, movement profiles)
• Heating: previous type of heating, age, condition, power, actual opening of windows and doors), air and water quality (CO2, pollutants, salmonella, mold etc.)
• Pipe systems: quality, flow, valves
• Residents' preferences: ecology, self-sufficiency, financial management, inheritance, future expectations, conversion plans, life model, etc.

The problem so far is the collection and evaluation of all these and other relevant data, so that a heating system tailored to the situation of the individual house and owner/resident can be installed as efficiently as possible.

Still questions or looking for inspiration?

You are looking for inspiration and want to learn methods to develop an innovative idea for this or any other use case?

Then take part in one of our freely accessible and digital workshops, which we offer throughout this project, and let experienced innovation coaches e.g. from Lufthansa Group show you approaches like Design Thinking and similar methodologies!