An EU-funded project based in the Austria-Italy Alpine cross-border area is helping the local construction sector deliver energy savings in buildings in a way that does not rely on complex, expensive technologies. Instead, the Alpines Bauen-Lowtech project is finding technology-saving solutions that can increase energy efficiency through the entire lifecycle of a building, making it environmentally and economically viable while delivering high standards of performance and comfort.
Italy-Austria Alpine region seeks ‘low-tech’ solutions for energy savings in buildings
- 09 January 2020
The project aims to provide simple solutions in the design, construction and use of energy-efficient buildings in line with regulatory requirements in the construction sector. This should have a positive impact on local SMEs, but also improve the building owner's acceptance of technical solutions.
The project team is using SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis and assessing good practices to develop its low-tech solutions covering areas that are relevant to the local Alpine construction industry, such as building design, thermal insulation, use of daylight, indoor air quality and plant technology. Knowledge acquired through the project is being passed to the cross-border region’s construction SMEs and other interested parties.
Supporting local SMEs
The project includes firms from the region’s traditional timber construction industry, which is dominated by SMEs. The aim is to help these smaller businesses – which may not have a detailed understanding of energy efficiency technologies or techniques – to improve the energy saving credentials of the buildings they construct or maintain.
Lowtech’s approach is based on optimising a building’s year-round performance while taking account of its ecological and economic lifecycle. Work in this area includes simplifying planning and manufacturing steps to avoid mistakes that could lead to poor energy use. It could also mean selecting the right components to ensure minor maintenance work can be carried out efficiently and with low risk of structural damage. For example, changes should not impact on a property’s air tightness or lead to the build-up of condensation or mould. For building systems, the project is developing ways to simplify operational and maintenance schedules.
Particular attention is paid to the construction, refurbishment, operation, maintenance and repair of public buildings – buildings that serve as role models. A project training module has been developed that can be used in local state guild construction academies and by town planners as well as craftsmen employed by the Klimahaus agency, which is coordinating this project.
Improving performance
The project’s work is being fed into new quality standards and management tools such as checklists and guidelines which local SMEs can use to improve their handling of energy efficiency issues. Lowtech’s final results look set to be incorporated into local energy certifications for all new buildings and renovations.
In the long run, Lowtech’s outputs will help this Alpine cross-border region meet EU targets for energy efficiency in buildings.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Alpines Bauen - Lowtech” is EUR 1 165 615, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 958 903 through the “Interreg V-A Italy-Austria” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Low-carbon economy”.