Technologies that boost efficiency will play a crucial part in the energy supply of the future. Every kilowatt hour we can save by making electrical appliances more efficient, and every liter of oil that doesn’t have to used up for heating thanks to good insulation, helps conserve resources and protect our environment.
Devices influence current and voltage in characteristic ways, and leave “fingerprints” that can be identified using special NILM algorithms at only one measuring point; they in turn produce a breakdown of each device’s energy consumption. NILM delivers itemized results for householders’ electricity bills.
Using innovative electric meters and smart algorithms, Fraunhofer researchers want to revolutionize energy management in the future. In cooperation with their partners, they have developed a method that breaks down total energy consumption appliance by appliance using a single, high-tech electric meter.
Thermal systems use heat to produce cold, and vice versa. To do so, a material is needed that can dissipate water vapor particularly well and quickly. A new method simply applies this property as a layer onto the components.
Disposing of waste – whether it is coating powder or swarf – is expensive. In the future, a combustor for powdery residues will enable companies to cut disposal costs and heating costs at the same time.
What will the manufacturing industry of tomorrow look like? E³ stands for Efficiency, Emissions reduction, and Ergonomics. The E³ project aims to develop concepts and technologies that support integrated materials-flow and energy management.
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
