While buildings in Europe account for a substantial share of energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions, the EU’s ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 places a huge pressing demand for innovative building solutions to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability that can drive the transition of a sector that plays a pivotal role in fighting climate change. Efforts to improve energy efficiency in buildings may involve numerous approaches, such as optimising heating, cooling, and lighting systems, incorporating renewable energy sources, enhancing insulation and window design, and using smart building technology. Implementing these measures can decrease energy use by up to 50% in certain situations. Knowing that non-residential buildings are typically much more energy-intensive than residential ones, the demand for more environmentally friendly and efficient public and commercial & service buildings is significant, and innovation in building façade solutions, mainly based on curtain wall systems, is crucial to attaining the 2050 targets and to address climate change challenges.

Topics to be addressed during the Powerskin+ project workshop include European research projects focusing on cutting-edge developments in modular façade technology, innovative solutions for enhancing building envelopes, advancements in glass systems to improve performance and aesthetics, the use of simulation tools for optimising energy efficiency in buildings, Biogenic materials for sequestering atmospheric carbon, the integration of advanced superinsulation for opaque module solutions, building integrated photovoltaics for renewable energy generation and exploring the potential of repurposing Post EV batteries cells for sustainable and ultimately energy-plus building applications.

It is expected that this workshop may provide a valuable contribution to the building industry, construction professionals, associations and stakeholders, academic researchers and students, policymakers, public authorities and procurers, contractors, and the general public while providing a platform to display current drive innovations and near future solutions, exchange knowledge and foster collaboration in sustainable building practices. Ultimately, the innovative integration of sustainable and energy-efficient solutions in building design has the potential to catalyse transformative changes in Europe’s building sector, aligning with EU climate goals and fostering a more sustainable built environment for future generations.