Related projects

HEART - Holistic Energy and Architectural Retrofit Toolkit

ID: 768921
Start date: 2017-10-01, End date: 2021-09-30
Programme: H2020-EU.2.1.5.2.

HEART is a multifunctional retrofit toolkit within which different subcomponents – ICT, BEMS, HVAC, BIPV and Envelope Technologies – cooperate synergistically to transform an existing building into a Smart Building.

Based on a whole-building performance approach, the toolkit is conceived to achieve extremely high levels of energy efficiency in the existing residential building stock, with particular reference to Central and Southern Europe, where climate change and energy transition have boosted electricity consumption peaks both during summer and winter seasons. However, it may be extended equally well to new residential and commercial buildings.
The system’s central core consists of a cloud-based computing platform which concentrates managing and operational logic to support decision-making in planning and construction as well as energy performance enhancement and monitoring during operation. The Toolkit provide energy saving, energy fluxes optimization, data exchange, stakeholders’ active involvement and Smart Grid interactivity.
Interoperable building technologies and installations are also integrated in the toolkit: envelope solutions (thermal insulation and windows) ensure a reduction of thermal loads, while technical systems (BEMS, BIPV, heat pump, fan-coils, power controller, storage systems) ensure energy efficiency and RES exploitation.
All technical systems and building components are structured as a function of their affordability, interactivity, practicality, reduced installation time and non-invasiveness.
HEART's contribution to the improvement of the building renovation process can be briefly summarized through its main features:

  • Retrofit planning and implementation optimization;
  • Reduction of total energy consumption;
  • Reinforcement of RES exploitation;
  • Rationalization of energy flows inside the building and between building and Smart Grids;
  • Active involvement of stakeholders;
  • Support to energy financing.

ReCO2ST

ID: 768576
Start date: 2018-01-01, End date: 2021-06-30
Programme: H2020-EU.2.1.5.2.

ReCO2ST is developing a Residential Retrofit assessment platform and demonstrations for near zero energy and CO2 emissions with optimum cost, health, comfort and environmental quality.

The project proposes for the refurbishment of existing building via a systemic 3-step approach: First, the project Refurbishment Assessment Tool (RAT) will identify possible refurbishment scenarios. Secondly, the refurbishment actions will be mapped out (regarding order and costs) using an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) vehicle; and finally, the deployment and installation of the Retrofit-Kit (refurbishment package) comprising of a comprehensive index of the latest innovative technologies available.

The Retrofit-Kit will feature a host of cost-efficient, customizable and modular technologies such as vacuum insulation panels; photovoltaics, smart windows, wireless sensor networks, intelligent energy management systems and nature-based technologies (NBT).

As specialists in the nature-based solutions, alchemia-nova will advance its development of two bio-technical air-treatment systems for inclusion in the Retrofit-Kit. These systems exploit the cleansing, cooling and humidification properties of strategically placed plant-matter. The first comprises of a decentralised pot-plant-based system easily installed into buildings as part of a retrofit-kit, or as stand-alone solutions. In the second system, ambient-air is treated by directing ventilation through a ‘winter-garden’ plant chamber.

The systems are automatable and designed to maintain better and healthier air-quality, and a stable indoor temperature, heightening comfort and significantly enhancing the aesthetics of the indoor environment.

ReCO2ST website

 

 

 

BE REEL!

ID: LIFE16 IPC/BE/000005
Start date: 2018-01-01, End date: 2024-12-31
Programme: LIFE - Programme for the Environment and Climate Action

BE REEL! - "BElgium Renovates for Energy Efficient Living!" is a LIFE integrated project in which different partners work on several ambitious sub-projects. 

The energy consumption of Belgian houses is 70% above the EU average. This represents an enormous potential for energy savings and for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Flemish and Walloon 2050 renovation strategies for residential buildings have been approved by the Flemish and Walloon governments respectively. The strategies set a priority on an average decline in energy consumption of 75% and a strong increase in the production of renewable energy. This would mean a decline of at least 80% in greenhouse gas emissions by the residential sector.

BE REEL! and its partners support these ambitious plans. The team aspires to a renovation rate increase for which they develop, test, evaluate, refine and demonstrate the most appropriate structural measures.

Furthermore the BE REEL! project passes knowledge via training sessions for building professionals and other relevant sectors on the one hand, and knowledge via action stimulating communication for citizens and stakeholders on the other hand. 

BE REEL! project website

 

REZBUILD - REfurbishment decision making platform through advanced technologies for near Zero energy BUILDing renovation

ID: 768623
Start date: 2017-10-01, End date: 2021-09-30
Programme: H2020-EU.2.1.5.2.

Nowadays, the European construction market has to tackle the refurbishment of existing building stock. NZEB renovation methodologies are required as a key enabler through energy-efficient buildings. REZBUILD will address this challenge by opening the construction sector through the integration of innovative technologies such as leaves in a tree in order to pave the way towards an annual renovation rate of 2,5% instead of current rates lower than 1%.

The aim is to develop one refurbishment ecosystem based on the integration of cost-effective technologies, business models and life cycle interaction for deep NZEB renovation to diverse residential renovation typologies and interconnecting both, building renovation stages and stakeholders. This innovation will establish a multi-collaborative framework within a refurbishment methodology managed by an Agile Project Management tool capable to interconnect in real-time the key steps of a tailored retrofitting plan among all stakeholders involved within the building renovation value chain. This ecosystem will ensure the fulfilment of three KPIs:

  1. A deep renovation rate at least 60% of primary energy reduction as a result, the application of a decision tree strategy created from the combination of united principles of the novel sustainable architecture and NZEB design concepts;
  2. A reduced installation time at least a 30% of time saving in comparison with a traditional refurbishment works,and;
  3. A rapid payback period maximum 12 years of the best retrofitting technology package installed in the residential building. 

The environment will provide an ad-hoc amalgam of methodologies, cost-effective technologies and tools applicable within the main residential building typologies in EU, with the aim of achieving a large-scale penetration and deep impact within the rehabilitation of the current residential building stock after its optimization in 3 multi-scale demo buildings located in the most representative climates in EU.

REZBUILD website

 

 

 

 

LIFE Level(s)

ID: LIFE18 GIE/ES/000911
Start date: 2019-10-01, End date: 2022-09-30
Programme: LIFE - Programme for the Environment and Climate Action

The Life for LCA LCC Level(s) project (short: LIFE Level(s)) is directed towards mainstreaming sustainable buildings in Europe through greater awareness and use of the specified indicators within the framework of Level(s), a set of common European Union indicators to address life cycle environmental performance of buildings.

The main goal of LIFE Level(s) project is to mainstream sustainable buildings in Europethrough greater awareness and use of the indicators within the Level(s) framework. According to previous experience, it is challenging for most European companies to apply the indicators within Level(s) such are LCA, LCC and IAQ, due to a lack of data and a lack of expertise in the industry.

For that reason, the idea behind the LIFE Level(s) project is to work with stakeholders form the public, private and certification schemes to explore how the mentioned key Level(s) indicators can be implemented on a pan-European scale.

The partners engaged in the execution of the project and implementation of its outcomes are 8 European Green Building Councils, recognised for their contribution in spreading the awareness about green building principles and promotion of environment protection and energy efficiency values. 

The Life for LCA LCC Level(s) project (short: LIFE Level(s)) has received funding from the LIFE Programme of the European Union. The project will last for three years, from 2019 until 2022.

Life Level(s) website

 

Contact information

Project coordinator:

Solintel, Spain
Michele Vavallo
info@renozeb.eu