Our Building as Proof.
13 Years. 62% Less Consumption.
Not an anonymized project. Not a theoretical concept. Our own commercial building in Frickenhausen – built in 2013 as a plus-energy building with KNX automation and 72 kWp PV, fully electric since 2012, with measurable results and external validation. The concept has been replicated multiple times in commercial properties.
Usable Area
920 m² Office + Warehouse
Actual Consumption
33 kWh/m²a
vs. EnEV Calculation
−62%
Maintenance Costs
€0 in 13 Years
2012: A New Build Against the Mainstream
When Frank Hummel planned his new commercial building in Frickenhausen in 2012, he made a decision that engineers and planners considered impossible: No heat pump, no underfloor heating, no gas. Instead: Vitramo infrared ceiling heating for the offices and infrared dark radiators for the warehouse – combined with a 72 kWp photovoltaic system covering the entire roof and a KNX building automation system that intelligently networks all components.
The investment in the heating system was €28,000 for 920 m² – a fraction of what a conventional heat pump with underfloor heating would have cost. The EnEV calculation predicted consumption of 88 kWh/m² per year. The reality after 13 years of operation: 33 kWh/m²a. The concept for the intelligently linked energy and building technology was developed by the system house itself.
We built this in 2012 with a lot of resistance from engineers and planners who said infrared heating can't work, uses too much electricity!
Frank Hummel, CEO HSG
Four Pillars of an All-Electric Building
The building combines four technologies into an integrated energy system – no fossil fuels, no central heating system, no maintenance effort.
Infrared Heating
Vitramo ceiling infrared panels (office 400 m²) and dark radiators (warehouse 520 m²). Radiation-oriented heat transfer: walls and floors are heated directly, not the air. Investment: €28,000.
72 kWp Photovoltaics
Over 300 modules in east/west orientation generate approx. 70,000 kWh per year – twice what the building consumes. EnEV 2009 requirements are exceeded by 30%. Combined with infrared heating, the building achieves net-positive energy status.
150 kW DC Fast Charger
CCS fast charging station with 150 kW power for electric vehicles. Complements the existing 8 AC charging stations. Already in 2013, the Tesla Roadster S was charged with surplus PV electricity.
250+ kWh Battery Storage
Battery storage with over 250 kWh capacity and 130 kW power – without increasing the grid connection capacity. Functions like a flywheel: synchronizes the local grid on site and enables grid-serving building operation.
Intelligent Control on All Levels
Via the KNX system, all building technology components are linked and controlled in relation to each other. Presence detectors ensure light only shines where needed. When an employee enters their office, heating ramps up and ventilation provides fresh air.
The intelligent building technology also controls power consumers based on demand, generated electricity, current electricity prices and weather forecasts via the internet. All energy data is continuously recorded and can be viewed at any time on the central Gira Control 19 touch display or via smartphone and tablet.
Facts After 13 Years of Operation
The numbers speak for themselves – and are externally validated by the Stuttgart Region Chamber of Commerce (Wirtschaft Magazine 9/10.2025) and IG Infrarot Deutschland e.V.
EnEV Forecast
88 kWh/m²a
Actual Consumption
33 kWh/m²a
Savings vs. Standard
−62 %
Maintenance in 13 Years
0 €
Heating Investment
28.000 €
Building Status
Plus-Energie / Net-Positive
EnEV Forecast vs. Actual Consumption
−62 % less than predicted
The Storage as Flywheel
The next evolution of the building: A battery storage system with over 250 kWh capacity and 130 kW power will co-supply the 150 kW DC fast charger – without increasing the grid connection capacity. The principle is comparable to a flywheel storage in a gas power plant: the storage synchronizes the local grid on site.
This means: The building can be operated in a grid-serving manner. It absorbs peak loads, stores excess PV energy and releases it as needed. For grid operators and utilities, this is exactly the future of decentralized energy supply.
Flywheel Principle
Storage Capacity
250+ kWh
Storage Power
130 kW
DC Fast Charger
150 kW
Grid Connection Upgrade
Not Required
150 kW CCS DC-Schnelllader
Not Just Our Opinion
The building is listed as an official reference in the brochure of IG Infrarot Deutschland e.V. – the European trade association for infrared heating. Additionally, the project was featured in the Stuttgart Region Chamber of Commerce Magazine (Issue 9/10.2025) as a success story. The concept was published in the trade journal Building & Automation (VDE Verlag, Issue 2/2015).
IG Infrarot Deutschland e.V.
Official reference in the association brochure: Fully electrically supplied commercial building – Office and commercial building, Frickenhausen (Baden-Württemberg).
IHK Wirtschaft Magazine
Issue 9/10.2025: Infrared heating meets high expectations in commercial operation – Ten years of operational experience with positive results.
Building & Automation (VDE, 2015)
VDE publishing trade journal: Detailed publication of the energy concept with KNX automation, PV system and e-mobility.
From New Build to Lighthouse Project
New Build & Infrared Heating
Commercial building with 920 m² (office + warehouse). Infrared ceiling heating and dark radiators. 72 kWp PV with 300+ modules. 8 AC charging stations. KNX building automation with Gira Facility Server.
Publication Building & Automation
The concept is published in the trade journal Building & Automation (VDE Verlag, Issue 2/2015). First replication of the concept in additional commercial properties.
Exit & Realignment
Sale of operational business (HUMMEL Systemhaus, 100+ employees) to STRABAG subsidiary ZÜBLIN AG. Foundation of HSG HUMMEL Service Group.
Innovation HUB & DC Charger
Conversion to Innovation HUB. Installation of 150 kW DC fast charger (CCS). Inclusion in IG Infrarot brochure as reference project.
Battery Storage & Grid Service
250+ kWh battery storage (130 kW) in project phase. Grid-serving building operation without increasing grid connection. IHK article as external validation.
From Pioneer Project to Series Deployment
With innovative building technology solutions, photovoltaics and clean electrical installation, an exciting research object was created – a permanent exhibition in everyday use and a comfortable workplace. The concept was published in the trade journal Building & Automation (VDE Verlag, Issue 2/2015) and has since proven itself multiple times in commercial properties.
What began as a pioneer project in 2013 is today the blueprint for REVOLUTION E's all-electric strategy: holistically electrifying sites, intelligently controlling them and operating them economically – with reliable real data from over a decade of operational experience.
Your Building as the Next Lighthouse Project?
Let us check in a non-binding sparring session how your building can also be operated all-electrically, grid-serving and economically.
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