Energy Flow Wall

Challenge

The development of the Energy Flow Wall (EFW) concept involves work carried out by AAU Build, including laboratory measurements, calculations, and in-situ testing on a prototype installed in two apartments in Frederikshavn. From this, the project partners have achieved a 30–45 percent reduction in heating consumption after the installation of ventilation windows and solar walls with PCM (phase-changing materials).

Currently, the heat from the building's exhaust air is released directly into the atmosphere without any heat recovery. Additionally, there is no room-by-room control of air exchange, nor is there electronic regulation of room heating.

Solution

The full development of the EFW in its current form, including fire testing, ensuring the product is market-ready by the end of 2024. The partners aim to create a functional and commercially viable EFW.

Key improvements include:

• Adding a water-based piping system so the EFW can provide cooling to the building by utilizing the ground's external temperature. The same system will allow surplus heat to be stored in a tank for winter use.
• Developing an app for managing indoor climate and energy consumption in the home.
• Integrating solar panels into the EFW façade element (roof element), ensuring the EFW concept provides:
  • Fresh preheated/cooled air to maintain indoor air quality.
  • Electronic control of the home's indoor climate and heating/cooling consumption for each room.
  • Heat production for immediate use or storage.
  • Electricity production for self-consumption.
  • Reuse of energy from the home's exhaust air.

Expected Results/Impact

EFW is an evolution of the Living Better concept: www.livingbetter.dk.

It also builds upon development work from “ReCo2ST,” a Horizon 2020 project, and “Air Flow Wall,” an Innobooster project—both under the management of Horn Vinduer ApS.

The project is divided into three phases, allowing marketing to begin immediately after each sub-project is completed:

Completion of the current EFW development, including fire testing, making the product market-ready by the end of 2024. The first functional and saleable EFW will be available.

Integration of a water-based piping system to enable cooling by utilizing the ground’s temperature and storing surplus heat for winter use. Development of an app for managing indoor climate and energy consumption.

Integration of solar panels into the EFW façade element (roof element) to ensure the EFW concept delivers:

• Fresh preheated/cooled air for maintaining indoor climate.
• Electronic control of indoor climate and heating/cooling consumption for each room.
• Heat production for immediate use or storage.
• Electricity production for self-consumption.
• Reuse of energy from the home’s exhaust air.

These measures can enable many buildings to achieve or approach "Off the Grid" status, reducing the need for expanding various public utility networks.