Impact of a potential climate change on the energy demand for heating and cooling of buildings

Whilst the focus of research at the institute lies on the development of strategies to maximize the energy efficiency in the context to contribute towards the reduction of global warming, an interesting question arises considering the apparently inevitable climate change, how buildings must be designed to function in the expected external climate. This research project analysed the question as to what extend the forecast climate change may impact the energy demand for heating and cooling of buildings in Austria. Two aspects were looked at: a possible rise in temperature and a potential increase of the CO2- content of the ambient air. Interesting technical consequences for future energy supply of buildings were shown. An interesting result on the side was the finding that possible changes regarding usage requirements and internal loads were more significant than changes as a result of a hypothetical climate change.