Projects
ETA-Fabrik TU Darmstadt

Energy-efficient model factory with a thermally activated facade

At the Lichtwiese campus of Darmstadt Technical University, the majority of the ETA Factory was clad with DUCON facade and roof panels. The name of the model factory is derived from the Greek letter eta, which in thermodynamics represents efficiency, thus highlighting the building’s energy-efficient design.

The DUCON elements are not merely architectural components; they also regulate the climate inside the factory through thermal activation. This is achieved by capillary tube mats integrated into the elements, which are just 55 mm (2.2 in) thick and up to 11 m (36 ft) long. In this way, the heat generated by the machines inside can be passively dissipated. No additional cooling measures were required for the project. Monitoring of the system has shown that the DUCON energy facade requires only 600 W of input power to generate 22,000 W of cooling capacity.

With its innovative air-conditioning technology, the ETA factory is a pioneer in the field of machine and production facilities. The use of passive building cooling allows for significant energy savings and makes a substantial contribution to sustainable construction.

Project data:

• Execution period: 2015
• Thermally activated wall and roof panels with a component thickness of 55 mm (2.2 in)
• 108 elements with a total area of approx. 1,500 m2 (16,100 ft2)