Energy autonomy and savings in running costs with enercret. - Completion: 2001 - Cooling capacity: 654 kW - Heating capacity: 544 kW - Annual cooling output: 790 MWh - Annual heating output: 642 MWh - Client: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG - D - Architect: GMS Freie Architekten, ISNY - D - Building services consultant: Ing.-Büro S. Lang, Ravensburg - D enercret installation: The extension of the R&D Centre rests on a concrete piled foundation which reaches between 13 and 25 metres into the ground. 320 of these 90 cm diameter piles are used as absorber piles. They are fitted with 45 km of plastic piping which is used to circulate water. In the winter thermal energy is extracted from the ground via these water circuits and fed into the heating system via the heat pump. In the summer the heat pump is used as a refrigerator unit. It produces cooling water for the radiant ceiling cooling in the offices. The condensation heat from the refrigerator plant is dissipated into the ground via the absorber piles and stored for use in the winter. The additional investment of EUR 153,000 will be paid back within 4 years at the most. Project sheet download: To download the PDF file, please click here .* ) * ) To view PDF files you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have this software, you can download the Acrobat Reader here free of charge.