Press Releases 2008

July 24, 2008

Reducing energy consumption and protecting the environment: potential in the real estate sector

Investments to reduce energy consumption in buildings are among the most effective environmental protection measures available today. Bilfinger Berger is making important contributions to reducing energy and cutting emissions in real-estate properties.

Research initiative ‘Resource-Efficient Buildings’ started

Bilfinger Berger, together with Züblin and the German Ministry of Economics and Technology, has started a research initiative to gain further insights into the efficient use of resources during the construction and operating phases of buildings. Along with mid-sized companies and renowned scientific institutions, the research initiative is making the feasibility of technologies and processes the focus of the 16-month program. The participating companies and the German Ministry of Economics and Technology are investing about €3 million in the joint project.

Initially, selected real-estate properties will be analyzed in order to gather information on optimization potential and efficient modification measures. Bilfinger Berger is cooperating with external research institutes and is concentrating primarily on future-oriented technical building equipment and innovative façade systems. In a planned second project phase set to run for three years, the information gathered in the initial phase will be implemented. Intensive monitoring will be used to verify the results and identify further potential.

Consideration of the building’s lifecycle is essential

A comprehensive approach to real estate is of central importance in Bilfinger Berger’s operative business. “Our Building division’s dialogue with its clients is based on the lifecycle of a property because long-term operating costs have a significant influence on the yield generated by a real-estate investment”, explains Prof. Hans Helmut Schetter, member of the Executive Board at Bilfinger Berger. The Group combines competences from various disciplines all along the real-estate value chain. This allows Bilfinger Berger to consider the interfaces between development, design, construction, operation and revitalization and opens up significant optimization opportunities for the Company’s clients.

Pilot project with BASF in Ludwigshafen launched

For BASF, specialists from Bilfinger Berger are currently investigating all energy-related aspects of eight buildings. In addition to an analysis and evaluation of the technical building equipment, the order also includes fundamental energy consulting and provides options for dealing with optimization measures, including the expected investment costs. The investigations began in May and should be completed by November 2008. As part of this pilot project, BASF is also exploring under which energy-related considerations the over 300 buildings at the Ludwigshafen location can be modernized. The order was preceded by an 18-month research cooperation in which criteria for a revitalization and new construction plan for office space at BASF were developed.

Comprehensive approach considered in new federal seal of approval

With its recently unveiled seal of approval for sustainable construction, the German Ministry of Transport, Construction and Urban Development has, for the first time, created a benchmark for the economic, ecological, urbanistic and technically-functional quality of public and private buildings. The criteria catalogue was developed in close cooperation with the Deutschen Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (German Society for Sustainable Construction). During this process, Bilfinger Berger was instrumental in ensuring that a comprehensive view of design, construction and operating costs was given appropriate consideration. “The new federal seal of approval is an important certification instrument and will lead to an increase in the energy and resource efficiency of buildings. The energy-saving potential in the real-estate sector is, after all, much greater than in the transport sector, for example. Only through the consideration of the entire lifecycle of buildings can a truly sustainable solution be achieved”, says Prof. Hans Helmut Schetter.