Energy turnaround: World innovation honored in Mainz

FUTURA heats industrial halls regardless of the energy source - special award "Innovative technologies for climate protection" in the SUCCESS technology competition

Mainz. While Germany is discussing the energy transition, KÜBLER GmbH from Ludwigshafen has already delivered. FUTURA is the name of the latest invention from the experts for hall heating systems - and it works regardless of the energy source: the infrared heating system for halls uses hydrogen, electricity, gas or a mix of these. It can process green and fossil fuels highly efficiently, thus building a bridge to the carbon-free era. This is one of the reasons why the Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture awarded KÜBLER the special prize "Innovative Technologies for Climate Protection" at the SUCCESS Innovation Award on Tuesday evening.

"I am deeply convinced that we can only avoid a national energy crisis with a joint effort. Together - that means that all protagonists have to get involved. Everyone should play their part and contribute their expertise to the process," says Thomas Kübler, founder, partner and Managing Director of KÜBLER GmbH. "We have been doing this for decades now and are delighted that, especially in the current situation, we have developed a technology with FUTURA that can make a decisive contribution to the energy transition."

FUTURA is a bridge to the carbon-free era: regardless of whether green hydrogen or electricity determines the future, FUTURA can do both - and more: the infrared heating system also uses biogas, natural gas or liquid gas and allows you to switch variably between the energy sources. This works both in mono mode and in mixed mode. Depending on which energy is currently available or particularly cost-effective. "We thus ensure security of supply and stabilize the grids," says Kübler. "But above all, our solution is economical. Infrared is the ideal way to heat large rooms." This refers in particular to halls with a height of four meters or more.

The FUTURA is installed on the hall ceiling. The infrared heater works in the same way as the sun. It heats everything that is illuminated: People, machines, hall floor. The heat comes from above, below and from all sides at the same time. This heat transfer is energy-efficient with savings of 50 to 70 percent. "With FUTURA, we heat flexibly in terms of time and location," says Kübler, "because we only cover the heat demand that actually exists. After all, the most efficient heating system is the one that isn't running." The heating is switched on according to demand, when and where heat is needed. Efficiency First is thus fulfilled and FUTURA is probably the most efficient answer to a complex, difficult heating task that uses renewable energies sparingly at the highest level. Incidentally, the jury also recognized FUTURA for its second technical innovation, as the multi-energy infrared heating system provides not only heat but also energy-saving hall lighting with LEDs. This sustainable two-in-one solution saves the user a complete cabling system including the switching units and controls. In future, only one maintenance service will be required, which includes both.

With FUTURA, KÜBLER GmbH is bringing about a paradigm shift in energy efficiency. After all, only two percent of all buildings in Germany are halls. These halls account for 15% of building-related energy consumption in Germany and the associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The new system has been developed for new buildings, but the industry can also use FUTURA to refurbish existing buildings without interrupting operations.