+ERS – Plus Energy Network Reininghaus Süd: A pilot project towards an energy self-sufficient urban district

• A plus energy network for a mixed-use district is designed, simulated and realized.
• Optimized energy management with exchange of energy between buildings.
• Energy production on site provides an optimized energy management.
• Extensive simulation on building and district level enables early.
• Holistic approach and monitoring of the pilot project as basis for further research.

“+ERS – Plus Energy Network Reininghaus Süd” is an integrative part of the Building of Tomorrow research flagship project “Energy City Graz-Reininghaus (ECR), which is an important part of the greater urban development framework of the City of Graz. The +ERS research project is carried out by AEE – Institute for Sustainable Technologies (AEE INTEC) (scientific project management), “Aktiv Klimahaus Süd GmbH” (real estate developer), Nussmüller Architekten ZT GmbH, and the Institute of Urbanism (Graz University of Technology). A combination of energy efficiency measures, energy production on site and energy exchange between the buildings will establish a plus energy housing estate. This paper highlights the main technical measures and strategies required to achieve plus energy standard for the housing district and discusses problems and hurdles of its actual realization.