BUILD UP

Electricity generation from some renewable energy sources like solar and wind varies according to weather conditions. This variability results in a need to balance the electricity grid and can cause electricity price variations. In the case of decentralised renewables such as building-integrated photovoltaics, the consumer can choose between self-consumption and delivery to the grid, which adds an element of unpredictability.

The Covenant of Mayors Investment Forum – Energy Efficiency Finance Market Place – has become an important annual landmark, gathering this year over 600 experts in the fields of sustainable energy and financing from more than 36 countries. The 2020 edition of the event recently took place in Brussels in mid-February and its aim was to share, network and learn about the implementation of more than 45 showcased local-scale projects contributing to a clean energy transition and a decarbonised society.

Every month, BUILD UP highlights publications covering a specific topic. May’s Topic of the Month is ‘SKILLS and training for the NZEB building sector’. The website is already available for contributions and BUILD UP’s editorial board is eager to receive your discussion papers, news and articles.

COVID-19 did not stop us in hosting our 3rd expert talk, even though this time it took place remotely. We had the opportunity to interview Laura Maturi, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Renewable Energy (EURAC research). She is an expert in the field of renewable energies, in particular building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and energy efficiency in buildings.

Renewable energy will play a fundamental role in achieving the EU’s energy and climate objectives. Not only is it abundantly available within the EU, but it is also cost-competitive with fossil fuels. As such, it can help make our energy systems more affordable and reduce the EU’s dependency on imported fossil fuels. It also has the potential to provide a range of new jobs, create new industrial opportunities and contribute to economic growth.

The renewable energy sector added 176 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity globally in 2019, marginally lower than the (revised) 179 GW added in 2018. However, new renewable power accounted for 72 % of all power expansion last year, according to new data released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

The economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic should not delay the EU's ambitious climate change measures. The Commission has confirmed that the work on long-term policy priorities such as the Green Deal is continuing. It has even launched an online public consultation to increase the current EU's 2030 climate target of a 40 % cut in greenhouse gas emissions to at least 50 %, compared to 1990 emission levels.

This report defines how the aspect of indoor climate could be reflected in the implementation of the European regulatory framework on the energy performance of buildings and puts the spotlight on the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) parameters to be considered by policymakers as well as the indicators used for the indoor environment evaluation.

Substantial energy savings can be realised when buildings that were initially not insulated or were poorly insulated undergo a deep retrofit. Savings of more than 80 % of the total energy needed for combined space conditioning and domestic hot water production are feasible, at least in the moderate to colder climates of the EU.

Located between the Bank of England and St Paul’s Cathedral, Bloomberg’s new European headquarters occupies 3.2 acres (~ 1.3 hectares) and will provide approximately 1.1 million square feet (~102 193 m2) of sustainable office space. Clad in traditional stone and bronze, the building is sympathetic to its context and will improve the surrounding public realm.

The Lycée pour Professions de Santé in Ettelbruck, now the largest wooden building in Luxembourg, is a pilot project. It is indeed the first public building in Luxembourg with positive energy. It is also the first in Luxembourg to aim for a "Minergie-P- ECO" certification.

EnerMaps aims to improve data availability, data quality, and data management for industry (in particular renewable technology industry), energy planners, energy utilities, energy managers, energy consultants, public administration officers specialised in the energy sector and policy decision makers as well as social innovation experts and data providers, applying FAIR principles.

SCORES optimises the self-consumption of renewable energy and defers investments in the energy grid. The SCORES concept is based on a hybrid system effectively and efficiently combining solutions that harvest electricity and heat from the sun, store electricity, convert electricity into heat, store heat, and manage the energy flows in a building.

There is a need for thermal energy storage (TES) that can be used for heating and cooling to significantly reduce electricity consumption. The EU-funded ComBioTES project proposes a TES solution that will deliver considerable savings in the residential electricity sector. The project intends to test and develop the technology for manufacturing and commercialisation.

The project aims to develop an innovative solution for façades based on the smart integration of highly energy efficient components, including super-insulative elements, solar energy harvesting and active energy storage features, all in one single combined active/passive management system, which particularly addresses modern non-residential lightweight Curtain Wall and Double Skin Frame retrofitting solutions.

In the webinar, special attention is devoted to the optimal formulation of EPB requirements, by tailoring them to the selected characteristics of each individual construction project. This will be illustrated with practical examples. The webinar also gives a brief snapshot of standard EN ISO 52018-1 and its accompanying technical report.

What you can learn by watching this webinar: home-based financing and the HolaDomus pilot programme in Catalonia; on-bill schemes and the goals of the RenOnBill project; the role of innovative financing in the implementation of the EU Green Deal.

Info Energia is a service for all of the customers of an energy supplying cooperatives or companies. It is a personalised energy awareness service. Som Energia started with InforEnergia as an extra service for their members. Instead of just sending invoices, Som Energia also sends reports on the energy use of their customers.

The H2020 project CRAVEzero aims to increase the viability of Nearly Zero Energy Buildings through solutions and tools for supporting cost reductions during the whole life cycle of buildings. The tool is organised in three main parts: project information, construction costs and results.

Discover multiple business and cooperation opportunities and increase your chances to go international and to find your next international partner. Given the current uncertainties related to the COVID-19 virus, the event might be (partly) organized in an on-line format.

This event will bring together key government ministers, CEOs, investors and other major stakeholders from around the world with the aim of accelerating the pace of change through ambitious and real world solutions. The immediate aim will be to focus on concrete actions to reverse the growth of carbon emissions this decade.

PLEA 2020 is organised by the University of A Coruña. The theme of PLEA 2020 is ‘Planning Post Carbon Cities’. The conference will explore the interplay between research, technology and design in defining and planning future cities.

For the 9th time DYNASTEE will organise a Summer School in 2020 on Dynamic Calculation Methods for Building Energy Performance Assessment. It will take place during six days + one day for a poster presentation of participants work. The course itself will last 3 days – weekend – 3 days.