Laser Scanning for Energiesprong - Revolution in the Refurbishment Market
TitleRevolutionary advance in building refurbishment
Energiesprong is an innovative concept with the aim of creating comfortable and structurally appealing homes with a NetZero standard. The measure should be affordable for everyone and can be realized within a few weeks. This initiative is revolutionizing the renovation market and is helping to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in order to achieve climate protection targets.
But how can precise planning for the prefabricated renovation elements be achieved? This is where 3D laser scanning comes into play. High-precision digital building models are used to precisely capture the existing building, allowing for the implementation of tailor-made refurbishment solutions – without the need for costly reworking. This makes serial refurbishment not only more economical, but also more sustainable.
TitleRefurbishment delay in Germany: Why the existing buildings are becoming a climate challenge
In Germany, existing buildings are responsible for around a third of CO2 emissions. In order to successfully achieve the climate targets, many of these buildings need to be renovated by 2045. However, the renovation rate is currently around one percent, although it should be at least twice as high. This is partly due to the complex planning processes and high investment costs. Moreover, landlords are confronted with resentment from tenants, as they often reject refurbishments due to the resulting rent increases. The shortage of skilled workers also contributes to the fact that the intended refurbishment measures cannot be carried out at all or not within the planned time frame. As there is a lack of skilled personnel, construction companies are increasingly experiencing capacity bottlenecks. This shortage is the reason for ever-increasing construction costs and even longer construction times. As a result, refurbishments come to a standstill and the targeted refurbishment rate cannot be achieved.
TitleEnergiesprong explained: How serial refurbishment is transforming the housing market
The Energiesprong principle offers a solution to these challenges and the existing problem of the need for renovation. The term “Energiesprong” comes from the Dutch and literally means “energy leap”. This concept was first developed in the Netherlands in 2013 and has since been widely disseminated, with thousands of successful implementations. It is based on a digitized construction process, high-quality standardized solutions with prefabricated elements, components and a promise of many years of consistent performance in energy conservation and supply. By refurbishing to the NetZero standard, the building becomes so energy efficient that it generates enough energy for heating, hot water and electricity throughout the year without burdening the residents with long construction periods. In relative terms, the refurbishment can and should be carried out in a way that is neutral in terms of warm rents.
TitleNetZero standard for existing buildings: How Energiesprong works
A key component of this concept is serial refurbishment. This is becoming increasingly popular in several European countries. Using a newly designed construction process, prefabricated elements and an innovative financing plan, buildings are brought up to the NetZero standard within a few weeks. The aim is for the buildings to generate as much renewable energy on an annual average as is needed for heating, hot water and electricity. This reconciles climate protection and affordable housing, and energy-efficient renovations can be implemented quickly and across the board.
The advantages of the Energiesprong principle are manifold. It guarantees quality and functionality, enables continuous savings and shortens refurbishment times to just a few weeks. It also offers a high quality of living and ensures affordable refurbishment costs. Prefabrication and optimized processes reduce construction costs, and the innovative financing model makes it possible to finance the refurbishment costs through the energy savings.
TitleAccelerated refurbishment through digital twins: The key to Energiesprong's success
One challenge in implementing Energiesprong is the need to speed up the renovation process. The Energiesprong concept takes an innovative approach aimed at standardization and scaling. By integrating modern digital technologies, it enables serial prefabrication that still offers flexibility for specific adaptations.
This is where laser scanners and BIM models come into play. A digital scan of the building allows precise data to be captured, which serves as the basis for planning and implementing the refurbishment measures. Laser scanners enable precise measurement of the buildings, while BIM models provide a digital representation of the building and its components.
TitleDigital precision meets efficient planning: Laser scanning & BIM at Energiesprong
Digital surveying
The use of modern surveying technology, such as 3D laser scanning, forms the basis for standardizing the work steps. A digital image of the building to be renovated is essential in order to achieve standardization during production, but also to enable individually adapted dimensions. As there is often a lack of comprehensive documentation for existing buildings, it is necessary to document the actual condition, for which mapping methods such as terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) are used.
Modern 3D scanning devices can measure interiors and entire buildings with high resolution and in a comparatively short space of time. The scanner projects laser or other light beams onto the object and calculates the position of individual points based on the reflection. This produces a large number of points per second, which form a three-dimensional point cloud. Depending on the type of scanner and technology, an accuracy in the millimeter range and even beyond can be achieved. These point clouds are processed in post-processing using specific software in order to convert them into a CAD-compatible model. 3D scanners with integrated cameras can even create colored point clouds. If required, UAVs can also be used to carry out scans from the air.
Digital planning
The technology described makes it possible to create highly accurate digital models of existing buildings, which serve as the basis for planning. These models are even essential for serial refurbishment, as this is the only way to adapt the elements for the building shell to the property with millimetre precision. They are also a prerequisite for prefabrication in highly automated factories. The standardized processes of digital planning also enable considerable time savings in the preparation of quotations and design planning, as they are based on similar projects.
The idea of digitally optimizing construction processes is not new and is referred to as Building Information Modeling (BIM). Standardization, unification and integration also play a decisive role here, with the aim of ensuring that all stakeholders use the same model in all phases of the building's life cycle, in which all information is collected. The use of BIM in the Energiesprong process is therefore only logical, given the application of digital innovations.
In contrast to the conventional approach, Energiesprong does not envisage a component-oriented tender, but rather a tender based on specific quality and service criteria. This idea allows the manufacturer to freely choose which technical solution is used to meet the specifications set by the planner.
TitleOur service for your project
For each individual as-built and building survey, it is important to consider which specific survey method can be used. For example, the exterior of a project can be captured with a terrestrial laser scanner, while a mobile scanner is preferred for the interior due to its fast operation. When capturing roof areas, aerial UAV surveys can be used to obtain the best possible images. Merging the data from these different sources is not a problem for us.
To support Energiesprong projects, we at team Laserscanning Europe offer professional laser scanning services. From capturing the building data to analyzing the scan results and creating 2D and 3D models, we are at your side to ensure a successful refurbishment project.
