Research for solutions in the future

The overarching objective of the international activity IEA SHC TASK 70 is to identify and support the potentials of lighting (electric, façade: daylight and passive solar energy) in de-carbonising at a global level. Here, the new integrative understanding of human lighting needs is reconciled with digitised lighting at building and urban planning level. Expertise from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Denmark, Germany (Management), Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Canada, Norway, Austria, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Turkey and the USA will come together for this purpose.

Our collaboration is supported by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG.

Large areas are needed to install photovoltaics for a climate-neutral energy transition. Areas need to be found on existing buildings and façades, in cities in particular. By the end of 2024, the SOPHOKLES project will have made a contribution towards exploring the large potential of sun protection systems in a cost-effective, reliable and efficient manner.

The project is being supported by the Research Promotion Agency FFG as part of the 9th City of the Future call for tenders. 

Until mid-2025, the focus of the project is on developing adaptive façade components made of thermoplastic fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP), whose deformation is realised by pneumatic chambers integrated into the material structure. The energy for activation shall be provided by integrated photovoltaics. The control of the shading units shall enable optimum overall effect of the interior as well as aligning of the photovoltaic films with the position of the sun.

The partner network comprises HELLA Sonnen- und Wetterschutztechnik, Formfinder, ITFT - Institut für Textil- und Fasertechnologien at the University of Stuttgart, itke - Institut für Tragkonstruktionen und konstruktives Entwerfen at the University of Stuttgart and the Jehle Gruppe.

This project is concerned with further development of existing thin-film photovoltaics in shading solutions for power generation. The partner network comprises HELLA Sonnen- und Wetterschutztechnik GmbH, the University of Innsbruck and Sunplugged Solare Energiesysteme. The project is being handled by the Tyrolean technology promotion agency “Regional centre of excellence K-Regio”, with focus on green, environment and climate.

BIM2IndiLight addresses comfort, energy performance, lighting and daylighting in the integral BIM-based planning, commissioning and operation. The partners are the University of Innsbruck's Department of Energy Efficient Construction, Bartenbach and ATP Architekten.

This project works on the global goal of expanding renewable energies. The partner network consists of the University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) and us.

This project  is funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency ffg as part of the 6th call for tenders City of the Future.

This new task of the International Energy Agency (IEA) aims to identify potentials for the integration of daylighting and artificial lighting solutions and corresponding control approaches in order to achieve the highest energy efficiency of lighting solutions and enable optimal lighting conditions for users. The project partners are international experts from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Singapore, Slovakia to the USA.

The participation of the Austrian representative office together with Bartenbach GmbH is supported by funds from the Austrian Research Promotion Agency and the IEA Research Cooperation.

FACEcamp was a multi-year interregional research project until 2019, with the aim of strengthening and sustainably stabilising transnational cooperation between companies and research institutions.

Research project “Sun Track Tool”

Research project “Daylight Glare Sensor”

HELLA looks back on successful graduation projects for the general qualification for university entrance (Matura) with the HTL-Lienz

Research project “Contactless energy transfer”: Controlling the sun protection product via the air