At IFA, which opens its doors at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds from September 1st to 5th, 2023, the Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (VDE), the German Central Association of Electrical and Information Technology Contractors (ZVEH) and the German Electrical and Digital Industry Association (ZVEI) will once again present themselves under the umbrella of the "House of Smart Living." This year, the 100 square meter smart model house will be part of the new Sustainability Village in exhibition hall 2.2.
VDE ZVEH ZVEI
IFA 2023: German electrical associations show solutions for more sustainability and energy efficiency in buildings
Buildings as the backbone of the energy transition
Visitors at the IFA joint stand from last year
| ZVEI Services GmbH - Mark BollhorstThe location in the newly established sustainability area of the IFA underlines the importance of modern and innovative building technologies for a sustainable, climate-neutral future. The three associations and their members are actively working to shape this future. After all, consistent electrification and digitalization, as well as the use of smart technologies, can reduce energy consumption in buildings by up to 65 percent and significantly reduce the carbon footprint. Considering that existing buildings in Germany account for 35 percent of total energy consumption, there is enormous potential here in terms of climate targets.
Buildings are rightly increasingly becoming the focus of political and public debate, because they are the backbone of the energy transition: Energy is no longer just consumed here, but also produced, stored and distributed; energy consumption is controlled sustainably. The House of Smart Living vividly demonstrates how this can be done: Here you can see how a photovoltaic system, heat pump and storage system can help to reduce energy consumption and dependence on the power grid.
An integrated energy management system, which in addition to these components also incorporates the charging infrastructure for the e-vehicle, household appliances, roller shutters and air conditioning system, ensures that the e-car is always charged with solar power and the washing machine is only switched on when there is still sufficient PV power available or the electricity drawn from the power grid is particularly cheap at the moment. The intelligent system takes into account weather influences - the dishwasher only switches on when there is a high level of PV generation - as well as the habits and requirements of the people living in the house (e. g. heating starts one hour before returning to the house and ensures desired temperature until then). The applications shown in the house are not dreams of the future, but "state of the art" and invite you to test them playfully.
Technologies of the future are available, but their use requires the right framework conditions
The energy and heat transition in the building sector has been the subject of much discussion in recent months. However, it is important to note that the building sector is an important lever for achieving the climate targets, and the potential for more efficient use of energy and resources is huge. The technologies to help achieve this are available and must be used across the board. That's why it's important to keep up the pace, especially when it comes to the all-important refurbishment of existing buildings.
Uncertainty about the Building Energy Act is currently holding back manufacturers, trades and consumers. This is bad news for the climate. This is one of the reasons why the three associations are formulating their positions clearly in the run-up to the IFA: The decarbonization of the building sector affects the broad population and must therefore be implemented in a way that is as socially compatible as it is ambitious.
