Make your building smile - Renewable energy in buildings

This publication from the European Commission (2009) covers 25 projects funded by the IEE programme within the Renewable Energy sector. It shows that although buildings are amongst the greatest consumers of energy, they also have the greatest potential to reduce the EU’s conventional energy consumption by combining energy-saving measures with renewable energy sources, the total consumption of conventional energy in buildings can be reduced to zero. Buildings can even become net producers of clean energy since they can be fitted with solar water and space heating and cooling.

Summary

View the Website [EN - English]

This publication presents a series of selected projects aimed at promoting the integration of renewable energy applications in buildings. The projects address a range of issues, including driving markets, enabling policies, and training. Most of the projects on small-scale renewables aim to trigger market transformation by improving conditions for suppliers and installers, and by providing easy access to good quality information for end-users. Before they can be expected to buy a renewable energy system, final users must be given access to reliable information on availability and cost of systems and products, and who can be trusted to install them properly. Several projects aim to promote certified products which comply with the relevant standards, as well as certified installers guaranteed to meet quality standards and to comply with industry guidelines.

Five projects help develop innovative urban planning. The aim is to boost the use of renewable energy in cities, solar energy in particular. These projects also support public authorities in their drive to achieve minimum levels of renewable energy via regulations and codes on new or refurbished buildings.

Training and capacity building are also delivered by IEE projects. They tackle issues such as the development of training courses for drillers, designers and installers of shallow geothermal systems coupled to heat pumps, and the development of common accreditation and certification schemes for installers of small-scale renewable energy systems in different Member States, in line with the requirements of the new renewable energy directive.

These projects bring together suppliers, users, public authorities and other interest groups from across the EU with the common goal of building a critical mass of initiatives capable of bringing about significant changes in the market. They also help increase the number of skilled people (installers, urban planners, policymakers) and final users aware of the economic and environmental benefits of energy from renewable sources.

Related Information on the Regions 202020 Website:

• Sustainable Energy Theme(s): Biomass & Bioenergy : Education and Training : Energy-efficient public and commercial buildings : Energy-efficient residential buildings : Geothermal Energy : Solar power : Solar Thermal : Sustainable / Energy Efficient Buildings

Last updated: 05/03/2012 6:23pm - Contact: Katy HALL - Email