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Roof Insulation Assessment by Thermography.

Country of Origin: Germany
Reference Number: TODE20180611001
Publication Date: 18 June 2018

Summary

A German SME specialized in the processing of space and airborne data with regard to energy applications has developed a methodology to thermographically map roof insulations in a given area. It can be used to promote proper roof insulation among home owners. Municipalities and other public bodies are sought for commercial agreements with technical assistance. Partners for EU-funded projects are sought for research agreements.

Description

A high proportion of heat losses can occur through the roofs of individual residences. This energy inefficiency harms the environment and leads to high costs. Good roof insulation measurements can decrease dramatically these losses. According to the Kyoto-protocol and subsequent regulations, local governments are expected to implement initiatives towards an efficient energy use and a better energy performance of buildings.

A German SME specialized in the processing of space and airborne data has developed a thermographic technique to promote city or communal subventions for proper roof insulation to the inhabitants. 

After the acquisition of aerial imagery, a thermographic map for Roof Insulation Assessment is created on which inhabitants can easily locate their building, interpret the colours according to the thermographic legend and get an indication of their roof insulation quality. An interpretation key is provided to the citizens. A correct interpretation is extremely important when using thermal imagery. Different roof materials, shapes and central heating conditions can cause a variation in the colour of the thermal imagery even if they have the same temperature. Beside this map, city authorities can provide more information on subventions available from local governments.

Analysis and validation of the thermographic map are executed in parallel of the production in order to calibrate the interpretation key and corresponding legends on heat losses and insulation quality. On a general prospective, the company uses these thermographic services to inform clients and inhabitants on energy performance and efficiency of their building. The company offers training courses that enable everybody to interpret its own building and to train other citizens to do it.

Based on the preferences of the client, the service includes different map products: (i) the full map of the area, (ii) a cut-out of the thermographic map for the building roofs only, (iii) a vector layer attributing for each roof a specific class of heat loss calculated as the median of the values occurring on this roof. The company delivers all products in various formats: hardcopy atlas, atlas in pdf format, digital layers and/or website applications, depending on the choice of the client.

The company is looking for municipalities and other public bodies for commercial agreements with technical assistance to integrate the mapping system into public policy decision making structures and awareness raising campaigns for public home owners. It also looks for research agreements with other companies active in the same area for EU-funded projects to further improve the technology.

Advantages and Innovations

The innovation lies in the correct calibration of the aerial images with a unique procedure using in-house measurements and outdoor temperatures at the night of the flight. Next to that the developed workflow assures easy usability for public bodies and private home owners:



- It facilitates the decision making process of public bodies as to where guide public subventions to ensure its most effective use.

- It facilitates the decision making process of private home owners in regards to the optimization of insulation measures.

- It leads to a decreased heat loss, cost reduction and an increased energy efficiency and helps public authorities to meet international energy efficiency goals.

Stage Of Development

Already on the market

Requested partner

Commercial agreements with technical assistance are targeted. Possible partners are public policy makers in local governments, municipalities and regions or service providers for public authorities. The task to be performed is the integration of the mapping system into existing monitoring structures or its use in the framework of public awareness raising strategies for private home owners. This will be done in close co-operation with the German company that will provide the related know-how and support the adaption of individual requirements and the installation. The SME is also interested in further development of its roof insulation mapping services within EU-funded research projects together with partner companies active in this field of work.