Control unit Schüco E³ Tower for energy self-sufficient buildings

The stand of Schüco, the world leader in energy-efficient building envelopes and solar energy utilization systems, presented innovative existing and completely new pioneering systems in solar thermal and photovoltaic technology at the Intersolar Europe 2011 trade fair in Munich. This confirmed that decentralized energy management, as well as independent and self-sufficient energy management in private and commercial spaces, are not just a vision, but are becoming a reality. Everything is encompassed in the company's concept of Energie³ - saving, producing, storing, and distributing energy. Buildings based on the Schüco Energie³ concept are capable of saving energy through high-quality window, door, and facade systems, utilizing and producing through solar thermal and photovoltaic systems, and finally also storing and distributing via an intelligent distribution network. For the first time, the Schüco E³ Tower control unit was presented at the fair, which can connect all existing sources of solar energy and heat with individual consumption points. The produced energy is thus generated, stored, and consumed at one location, such as in a family home, and in case of surplus, it can also be sold to the public grid.

In addition to the Schüco E³ Tower, attention was also paid to specific solar thermal and photovoltaic systems applicable in private, commercial, and industrial sectors. The presentation of the new thin-film photovoltaic modules Schüco Blackline was also featured, which, thanks to micromorph technology, are even more efficient, not only compared to crystalline modules but even against amorphous thin-film panels, and they also offer a neutral black color that architects will appreciate. Furthermore, visitors to the stand could view the new mounting system for sloped roof structures with MSE 100 In-roof tiles or the updated mounting system for flat roofs MSE 100 East/West, which can now also be installed in areas with higher snow load. The aerodynamic mounting system MSE 210 Aero also underwent innovation, ensuring safe attachment of south-facing crystalline modules on flat roofs. New inverters and other system components were also presented, including central inverter IPE from the CN 05 series, intended for use with larger systems with thin-film modules, safety switch FWS 3021, and the new internet application Schüco Sunalyzer APP, which allows operators, installers, and technicians to have continuous access to necessary data collected and evaluated by the Schüco Sunalyzer unit. The application is supported by iPhone as well as mobile phones with the Android software platform.

Schüco E³ Tower
combination of intelligent control with intelligent energy storage

The intelligent Schüco E³ Tower unit, which is still in the concept/prototype phase, is designed to ensure not only the storage and distribution of energy by connecting all production and consumption components that are part of buildings based on the Energie3 concept but also the regulation of consumption and energy purchase from the grid. This leads to maximizing security, comfort, and self-sufficiency in electricity demand, both for new and renovated buildings. The technology is intended for family homes and small to medium-sized businesses. The goal is energy decentralization and building self-sufficiency.

Decentralized electricity generation
Utilizing buildings for decentralized energy production is very effective. Therefore, Schüco presents the E³ Tower - a combination of "Smart Control" and "Smart Storage" - which can combine all existing sources of solar energy and heat and ensure that the harvested energy is used wherever it is needed and possible, ideally right at the place where it was produced and stored. This minimizes transactional losses, reduces costs, and protects the environment.

Using Schüco solar systems, almost all the required energy can be produced right on site through solar collectors and photovoltaic modules placed on the roof and facade of the house, on the garage roof, or in open spaces. Thermal energy from solar collectors then flows to the heating unit or is used to heat domestic hot water. Additional thermal energy can be supplied by a heat pump in case of a shortfall. The energy for driving the heat pump comes from the decentralization-generated energy. Solar energy obtained from photovoltaic modules first flows to the Schüco E³ Tower control unit, which evaluates how it will be best utilized. If there is excess, the electricity can be sold to the grid, and in case of favorable prices, it can be purchased instead.

Efficient management of produced energy
Schüco E³ Tower intelligently connects all devices generating electricity or heat. Through intelligent control (Smart Control), it assesses when it is the right moment to create reserves, consume, or sell electricity. The unit can compare the available volume of its produced energy with external data, such as current electricity prices, tariffs, or weather information. Evaluating all these internal and external information leads to decentralized management, which simultaneously regulates the consumption of produced energy, the volume of purchased electricity, and heating system control. Electricity is sold only when the available volume of storage is exhausted. At the same time, electricity is immediately purchased when the prices are at their best. Through intelligent storage (Smart Storage), energy is automatically distributed and stored among internal and external sites of consumption and production.

Electricity generated during the day is stored directly in the Schüco E³ Tower to be available in the evenings, overnight, and in the morning. The storage capacity is adjusted to the size of the household, easily accommodating both single and multi-generational homes. The intelligent Schüco E³ Tower unit then supplies energy to direct current appliances such as cooling, ventilation, or control systems. It also provides power for alternating current appliances, from washing machines to refrigerators. In the future, it will be possible to power mobile devices with rechargeable batteries, such as electric cars, bikes, motorcycles, Segway vehicles, laptops, and other equipment. This maximizes energy utilization right at the production site, and also, thanks to the storage, it is available anytime it is needed. Surplus produced energy can be monetized. The dimensions of the Schüco E³ Tower control unit, with a footprint of approximately 0.5 m², allow for easy placement in any family home.

More information about the innovations presented at the Intersolar Europe 2011 fair can be found on the company's website www.schueco.cz.