Which building is the most energy-smart?
There are many different technical solutions to make a building energy efficient. The stand has been created in collaboration with the Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering.
What can we see in the stand?
The stand features six single-family houses from the 1960s that have been altered in various ways over the years. When they were built, they looked the same, but since then a lot has happened. Some have been refurbished, others have not. Some have been made much more energy-efficient by adding insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors, and changing the ventilation system. Some people buy all their energy from the electricity grid, while others produce their own electricity and heating from solar panels, fuel cells and heat pumps. Each house has its own fundamental idea, such as self-sufficiency, energy-efficient habits, or preservation of the house’s original condition. Which house do you think has the smartest energy solution?
What is Uppsala University doing in this area?
Energy research is one of Uppsala University’s main strengths. Many of the technologies being researched here can be used in buildings. These include solar panels, electric cars, batteries, fuel cells and hydrogen storage. In the subject area Civil Engineering and the Built Environment, we are researching how buildings can be made more energy-efficient and how to use the various technologies available to optimise energy use in buildings. We often use computer simulations to test different technical solutions. The buildings described in the stand and their energy systems have all been simulated using advanced computer modelling.
How is this used in the wider community?
In order to achieve Sweden’s energy and climate goals, our buildings need to become more energy-efficient. This is not just true for new buildings. Buildings have a long life, which means that many of the buildings we will still be using in fifty years’ time have already been built. That is why existing buildings also need to use less energy. The stand shows that there are many different technical solutions and ideas for making buildings more energy-efficient, and that people have different needs and ideas about what is a good life. How technology is used in the community ultimately depends on factors such as economics, values, habits, and behaviours.