The Eurecat technology centre is taking part in the European StepUP project which has developed a new methodology for deep renovation, a set of digital tools and a range of technologies for quick and easy placement, connection and use (plug & play) to transform the energy renovation market and drive the decarbonisation of existing buildings.
The project is aimed at “at making building decarbonisation a reliable, attractive and sustainable investment which also allows for reduced installation time, minimising inconvenience for building occupants who usually come with energy retrofitting,” says StepUP coordinator Amisha Panchal from IES.
The StepUP team has co-created a methodology offering a step-by-step guide for project managers and other stakeholders in a deep renovation process, leveraging the benefits of industrialised energy renovation measures and a data-driven approach in designing and monitoring to guide renovation projects.
The StepUP project has developed new energy retrofit technologies including a new plug & play ventilated envelope panel integrating windows, blinds and photovoltaic panels together with provision for fitting new building HVAC systems to enable more flexible energy usage.
To make energy renovation easier “it is crucial to develop new industrialised construction solutions which minimise construction time and maximise occupants’ wellbeing while ensuring interoperability across different solutions,” points out Irene Ràfols, director of Eurecat’s Product Innovation and Multiphysics Simulation Unit.
“Deep renovation means we can significantly cut energy demand, thereby working towards the European Union’s goal of having a decarbonised building stock by 2050.”
In flexible energy usage, a new generation thermal battery has also been deployed to store and use cooling or heating energy monitored and optimised through StepUP data tools. The innovation makes it possible to generate energy when it is more economical or efficient by storing it in a tank with Phase Change Materials (PCM) and then using the energy when it is less efficient to produce.
The project has also addressed digital solutions to enhance the renovation and energy performance of buildings, including data intelligence solutions for making sound decisions at the design stage. Solutions for monitoring the building’s performance after renovation along with new financing models for optimising energy, comfort and cost performance over the life of the building have also been developed.
