As the EU pursues its ambitious goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050, a transition that requires the building sector stands at the forefront of this transformation. Responsible for 40% of the EU’s energy consumption and 36% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, buildings present both a challenge and an opportunity in the fight against climate change. With homeownership rates in Europe reaching 70%, property owners are key players in the transition to more energy-efficient, sustainable living. From retrofitting older buildings to integrating renewable energy technologies, the path toward a sustainable built environment requires innovative solutions that addresses energy efficiency, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, but considers the local context.
In this article, you will find three examples from across Europe illustrating that, with the right tools and support, property owners can drive significant change in the quest for a sustainable, low-carbon future.
At the Marius Renard building in Anderlecht (Belgium), an ambitious energy community has turned sustainability into a way of life. Constructed in 1967, the building, home to 450 apartments, has become an extraordinary example of urban energy transformation.
Thanks to the installation of a cogeneration system, the building generates a staggering 1.2 GWh of energy annually, transforming it into a self-sufficient powerhouse. Beyond powering every one of the private units, the system produces far more electricity than the communal areas require. This surplus has opened incredible possibilities for the building’s residents and management. The revenues from the surplus energy are reinvested into maintenance and renovation projects that directly benefit the entire building community.
Plans are now underway to install over 500 square metres of solar panels and wind turbines on the rooftop, aiming to increase local energy production by 20%. Recently, a 121-kWh battery, repurposed from old car batteries, was installed to store the self-produced energy. This building demonstrates how property owners through collective action, and innovation can reimagine urban living. By turning everyday activities into sources of financial and environmental sustainability, it offers a blueprint for others to follow.
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Energy-sharing is not limited to connecting neighbours in the same apartment building. Across Europe, more homeowners with solar panels on their roofs are generating surplus energy. Traditionally, this surplus solar energy is sold back to the central electric grid, but thanks online platforms, homeowners can now trade this excess power with their neighbours locally, which cuts costs, reduces waste, and enables other neighbours to benefit from affordable, green energy, driving the shift towards a community-powered future.
One of these platforms that enables energy sharing is EnergySwap. These platform explores the potential for redistributing electricity between private individuals in a more flexible manner and applies the principles of online apps, commonly used for booking taxis or hotels, to the energy sector. Through his platform, neighbours can support each other by sharing renewable energy, which helps create self-sustaining, green communities and contributes to the overall goal of a sustainable energy transition across Europe.
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Many European live in older buildings that are poorly insulated and consuming significant amounts of energy for heating and cooling. But renovating these building poses presents the property owner with many challenges regarding disturbance and efficiency. In response to this, a group of co-owners in Ravne na Koroškem (Slovenia) together with the H2020 Infinite project decided to renovate a 71-unit condominium using prefabricated components.
This specific building, constructed in 1982, was never renovated before. The badly insulated envelope and windows resulted in high energy consumption and costs, as well as poor energy performance. Recognising the need for sustainable renovation solutions, the property owner decided to take a proactive approach to renovation through prefabrication. The prefabricated façade panels were made from locally sourced wood before being easily transported and installed, reducing construction time and labour costs. The renovation also included installing energy-efficient windows and air ventilation systems, all produced locally. The benefits of using prefabricated components were quickly noticed by the property owner: a faster, less messy renovation process as residents continued to live in their apartment during the works, minimising disruption to their lives.
Ultimately, this Slovenian case study demonstrates the immense potential of retrofitting older buildings through prefabrication. It serves as an example of what is possible when innovation meets sustainability - showing how prefabrication and energy-efficient solutions can breathe new life into Europe’s aging building stock, one building at a time.
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