Optimal hybrid ventilation in the building of the future

Through the research project Hybridene, concepts, technologies and strategies for hybrid ventilation are developed to contribute to the dissemination of knowledge and reduce uncertainty in the HVAC industry related to hybrid air conditioning solutions in Nordic climates.

The societal shift towards a low-carbon economy entails stricter environmental requirements and increased demand for knowledge about environmentally sound solutions for buildings and structures. At the same time, stricter requirements for energy use and comfort have also led to a significant increase in the complexity and quantity of technical installations for air conditioning of buildings in recent years.

Combining advantages from natural and mechanical ventilation

The innovative idea in the Hybridene R&D is that hybrid ventilation concepts, by combining advantages from natural and mechanical ventilation, can under certain conditions be real and well-documented alternatives to traditional mechanical ventilation concepts.

There may therefore be potential for achieving market breakthroughs for hybrid ventilation in Norwegian buildings, but for this to happen in a way that does not compromise other qualities, more knowledge is required.

To develop knowledge, concepts, technologies and strategies for hybrid ventilation

In the fall of 2021, the research project "Hybridene" was initiated. The main objectives of the project are to develop knowledge, concepts, technologies and strategies for hybrid ventilation, with the ambition of achieving a good indoor environment and at the same time contributing to a significant reduction in energy and material use, and thus greenhouse gas emissions, related to air conditioning over the life of buildings.

There is also a focus on reducing complexity in the facilities, reducing costs and contributing to high architectural quality. R&D Hybridene is a broad industry collaboration between five partners and is supported by the Research Council. The project period runs from 2021-2025.

Five work packages

R&D Hybridene is divided into five work packages, with main responsibility divided between partners in the project.

H1 (Skanska): Collect, develop and document knowledge-based requirements for indoor climate that provide reasonable and robust framework requirements for the design and dimensioning of hybrid ventilation concepts.
H2 (Windowmaster): Develop and document various concepts for hybrid ventilation, adapted to indoor climate requirements.
H3 (Aalborg University): Further develop algorithms and control strategies for natural and hybrid ventilation through analyses, simulations and practical testing.
H4 (Multiconsult): Analyze hybrid air conditioning concepts and compare them with other air conditioning solutions (conventional mechanical, optimized mechanical ("Powerhouse") and natural ventilation). Perform indoor climate, energy and LCA calculations for total greenhouse gas loads over the life of the building.
H5 (Joint): Test and demonstrate the solutions and concepts through implementation in case projects and pilot buildings in Norway.

Uses self-developed analysis tools

Multiconsult's main task in the Hybrid R&D is Work Package 4, where we analyze greenhouse gas emissions related to hybrid air conditioning principles, compared to a selection of other solutions. Multiconsult's self-developed tool for greenhouse gas calculations of HVAC installations is used in this work.

The building categories in which the solutions are being tested are schools and offices, and results show that total emissions related to hybrid ventilation solutions are in the range of 15 - 45 percent lower (depending on building category and type of energy supply) in greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the building, compared to a reference case with traditional mechanical ventilation.

Multiconsult has also contributed to other work packages/partners in the project, and prepared an early-phase guide on framework conditions for hybrid ventilation.

Built additional expertise in the HVAC profession

Gjennomførte arbeider har medført en kompetanseheving som bidrar til at Multiconsult står sterkere rustet i møtet med stadig økt fokus på klimavennlige løsninger i fremtidens byggerier.

Through the work in the research project, Multiconsult has built additional expertise in environmentally friendly solutions in the HVAC profession, and further developed tools for greenhouse gas calculations of HVAC systems, in close collaboration with the research project «Green HVAC».

The work carried out has resulted in an increase in expertise that contributes to Multiconsult being better equipped to meet the ever-increasing focus on climate-friendly solutions in future construction.