The Eurecat technology centre is taking part in the European StepUP project which is developing affordable solutions and technologies designed to transform the energy renovation market and make decarbonising existing buildings a reliable, attractive and sustainable investment.
It will do this by developing technology which draws on occupant feedback and supports an iterative approach to energy renovation anchored in real and simulated data so as to “minimise performance issues, alleviate financial barriers and optimise investments,” says project coordinator Giulia Barbano from Integrated Environmental Solutions Ltd.
StepUP will deliver a real opportunity to reach net zero emission buildings by providing a non-intrusive, fast and reliable deep renovation intervention solution which will “minimise the duration of onsite works and the risk of installation errors,” she adds.
This means StepUP “addresses the European challenge of achieving decarbonisation of existing buildings by 2050 in line with the recently launched Renovation Wave strategy,” notes Frederic Clarens, director of Eurecat’s Waste, Energy and Environmental Impact Unit.
This goal “will only be achieved if cost-effective technologies and comprehensive solutions are developed for energy renovation of the building stock,” points out Irene Rafols, director of Eurecat’s Product Development Unit.
Solutions for various types of buildings
The solutions developed in the project will be used for three building types: multi-family residential dwellings, public non-residential buildings and rental private office buildings.
By harnessing mass produced plug&play components, StepUP technologies cut installation time to minimise the inconvenience to building occupants which renovations usually entail.
The project also addresses developing data intelligence solutions for sound decision-making at the design stage and monitoring building performance after implementation. It additionally fosters new financing models for interventions targeting energy optimisation, enhanced comfort and cost recovery over the lifetime of the building.
New renovation technologies include a new plug&play ventilated envelope panel integrating windows together with provision for fitting new building HVAC systems to make energy usage more flexible.
The StepUp project is made up of a consortium of nine partners from seven European countries including two technology transfer institutions (Eurecat and Unismart), six industrial companies (IES and IES R&D, Manni Group, Suntherm, ABUD and Energinvest) and two owners and contractors (ACR and Municipality of 18th District of Budapest).
