Articles

The H2020 SENSEI project has contributed to the advancement of automated M&V methods by promoting a major change in the way practitioners approach the task of M&V, as well as by offering eensight, an open-source tool to experiment with and test the proposed M&V methodology.

Experts from the IEA SHC Task 59 and the Interreg project, ATLAS, make available a range of more than 130 energy retrofit solutions for historic buildings – via the best practice collection in the HiBERatlas and the online decision guidance of the HiBERtool.

The STRETCH project aims to develop a hybrid structural-plus-energy retrofit with structural health monitoring tailored for masonry cultural heritage building envelopes. This article describes the concept, scope and methodology of the project, as well as the preliminary and planned work of this Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship.

The installation of heat pumps is central in the REPowerEU plan, and the European Commission has set the ambitious goal to install 10 million new heat pumps in 5 years. Although the installation of heat pumps in new buildings is conventional, the replacement of existing heating systems with heat pumps is more challenging but extremely important. This article reports on the opportunities and barriers the sector is facing when addressing residential buildings retrofit, while heat pumps have topped 20% of the small-scale heat generators market in the EU.

Author: Roberto Fedrizzi (Eurac Research).

Note: opinions in the articles are of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the EU.

According to some simulation-based analyses carried out in specific climates, building characteristics, and urban contexts, the annual energy demand could be reduced by up to 69% if the thermal properties of opaque building envelopes can be adjusted and controlled.

Within the context of the ENVISION project, different technologies have been developed aiming to harvest energy while being integrated into the façade of buildings. This paper reports their performance, focussing on solar façade collectors coupled with Heat Pumps and PV windows.

Are roof spaces well exploited? How do they contribute to the efficiency of buildings? This article proposes several ways of redesigning roofs to enhance Sustainability parameters such as Renewable PV production, energy savings, thermal comfort, water use reduction and leisure areas.

The H2020 PLURAL project proposes prefabricated, modular, and adaptable lightweight façade systems for rapid renovation of existing buildings, providing high-performance, cost-effective, and fast renovation solutions. This article outlines these technological innovations, setting out the characteristics of the three core PnU (Plug-and-Use) kits that have been tested in prototype form.

Digitalisation and digital technologies present a great opportunity for Heritage Conservation, particularly regarding our Built Heritage and its sustainable use. Professionals are needed who can understand and quantify the complex physical processes required with the help of digital tools and will collaborate with their analysis to interdisciplinary dialogue before any conservation-related decision is made.

The construction industry employs 13 million people across the EU27 and is a major driver of economic development. Unfortunately, it seems to be failing at attracting younger generations. Blerta Vula Rizvanolli, BUILD UP’s Ambassador, expands on the 5 main reasons for this and gives some key points that the construction sector must address to meet the demand for skilled workers and solve this problem. 

Author: Blerta Vula Rizvanolli - Architect, MSc, MBA - IPMA Certified. Assistant professor in UBT and Construction and Energy Project’s Consultant.