EFRE-Funded Construction of an Energy-Efficient Laboratory Building
Construction of an energy-efficient laboratory building using heat pump systems to reduce CO₂ emissions by 20 % and improve energy efficiency. EFRE funded.
Background and Objectives of the Project
HPC Standards GmbH is an internationally active manufacturer and distributor of analytical standards (certified reference materials) for residue analysis. Due to ongoing company growth and increasing demand, a new laboratory building is being constructed to expand production capacity. The new facility is designed for modern laboratory processes with high safety and quality requirements and incorporates energy-efficient operating concepts already at the planning stage.
The objective of the project is to implement a highly energy-efficient building services system as part of the new construction, thereby sustainably reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and significantly increasing final energy efficiency. Specifically, GHG emissions in CO₂ equivalents are to be reduced by at least 20%, and final energy efficiency is to be increased by at least 10%. The project therefore contributes to achieving the climate and energy objectives of the European Union and the Free State of Saxony.
Initial Situation and Energy-Related Conditions
In the existing buildings currently in use, heat supply is largely provided by natural gas boilers. In addition, electric heating systems and split air-conditioning units with heating functions are in operation. Process cooling is provided via decentralized and central cooling units. Due to the high air change rates typical for laboratories, large amounts of energy are lost via exhaust air, as no heat recovery is used.
In the current setup, heating and cooling demands are generated separately even though they occur simultaneously in part. This results in high final energy consumption and corresponding CO₂ emissions. In addition, certain system components are inefficient and not optimally coordinated, leaving further savings potential untapped. The existing supply concept is therefore not future-proof from either an energy or a climate perspective.
Description of the Investment Measure
As part of the new laboratory building, an innovative hybrid supply system is being implemented that deliberately utilizes parallel heating and cooling demands. Instead of the originally planned natural gas-based supply, modern heat pump systems are used, enabling the combined provision of process heat and process cooling.
The system is designed so that waste heat from the cooling process is used directly to cover heating demand. Buffer storage tanks support stable, demand-oriented, and efficient operation even under fluctuating load profiles. This system solution optimizes internal energy sources and largely replaces fossil fuels.
The eligible measure relates exclusively to the building’s technical supply system and not to the building envelope itself.
Results, Impacts and Achievement of Targets
The use of the efficient hybrid system significantly reduces the final energy demand for heating and cooling compared to the previous supply concept. When related to production output, the specific final energy consumption decreases by approximately 73%. At the same time, specific greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by around 85%.
Despite a planned tripling of production capacity in the new facility, a clear absolute and relative reduction in GHG emissions is achieved. The target values required under the funding scheme for GHG reduction and increased energy efficiency are not only met but substantially exceeded. The project contributes to replacing fossil fuels, improving the company’s environmental performance, and securing an energy-efficient production site in the long term.
Contribution to the Objectives of the European Union
The project directly supports the European Union’s objectives in climate protection, energy efficiency, and sustainable economic development. By reducing CO₂ emissions, substituting fossil fuels, and efficiently utilizing internal energy sources, the project makes a measurable contribution to achieving EU-wide climate and energy goals.
Financing and Financial Support by the European Union
The project is funded under the Energy and Climate Funding Guideline—FRL EuK/2023.
The grant is provided from resources of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and from tax revenues based on the budget adopted by the Saxon State Parliament. Financial support from the European Union is a key prerequisite for implementing the investment measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency.
