re-MODULEES aims at the creation of an EU-wide “umbrella” framework for EE in existing residential buildings based on the generation of standard modules for the retrofit market activation and up-take. Modularity is to be intended as multi-level: it regards the “breakdown” of the overall retrofit process into standardized segments; and multi-target: it regards their customization according to regional climatic, building, socio-economic and market conditions, in order to shape more effective tools and approaches through which to maximise cost-optimality, positive spillovers and impact. This framework is based on clustering of efforts and evidences, and would allow shaping cross-regional policies, and generating wider homogeneous, integrated and facilitated retrofitting market areas. For this reason, re-MODULEES aims to be a strategic capitalization project which, by leveraging on the wide background of several H2020 projects (as well as from other EU programs), will join and combine knowledge, approaches and tools already available within its clear modular framework, so to optimize their uptake on local markets.

The project is aimed at stimulating the market uptake of deep retrofitting of buildings, with special regard to the Mediterranean area and to the residential built stock, by tackling major bottlenecks such as the fragmentation of the supply chain, the lack of transparency and of the perceived reliability of the interventions, of adequate financial support mechanisms, of integration among the relevant aspects connected to retrofitting, the low return on investments, or the lack of a retrofit approach clearly tailored for the Med environments. To this extent, the project will act on the following complementary themes: engagement and empowerment of target groups such as owners, inhabitants, building professionals; technological insight for the development of optimized one-stop shop packages of solutions for deep and beyond retrofitting; financial solutions for supporting the market uptake of deep retrofitting, and proposal of suitable changes in the regulatory frameworks. On this basis, the project will act on the demand side by ensuring a comprehensive and integrated framework of conditions for enhancing the overall appeal, convenience and reliability of deep renovations market, through the proposal of a holistic MedZEB approach conceived for the retrofitting market uptake in Southern Europe. In particular, this result will be pursued thanks to: 1) an integrated ICT platform, aimed at facilitating the matching between demand and offer; 2) the construction of a system of guarantees aimed at building trust among the different segments of the retrofitting supply and value chain; 3) the activation of three main Pilots, as well as of smaller ones, for testing the project outputs directly on-the-field of deep and beyond retrofitting interventions: in the pilots, the residential stock will be the main target (private/public), but HAPPEN will also explore other typologies and functions, for the widest replication of the project outputs across the Med space.

The untapped potential of energy efficiency will be addressed by the GEAR@SME consortium by substantiating the role of a local Trusted Partner to bridge the gap between SMEs (demand side) and suppliers of energy services toward SMEs (supply side) such that SMEs will effectively undergo energy audits and implement energy saving measures. The Trusted Partner will be supported by the GEAR@SME methodology, which aims to catalyse the implementation of energy efficiency measures by taking a local, collective approach based on multiple benefits, tailored to the specific locality. After demonstrating the effectiveness of the common methodology in four use cases, large-scale rollout will be supported by an online platform offering documentation, stand-alone tools, and an interactive platform to support a Community of Practice for Trusted Partners. The GEAR@SME methodology will be tested and validated in four countries (Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Romania), reaching out to a minimum of 300 SMEs per location. While four locations will be targeted within the project as use case, another 80 locations will be reached through the communication and exploitation activities within project lifetime. Beyond project lifetime, another 600 locations will be reached through dissemination events and the online portal. The GEAR@SME consortium has extensive expertise on activating, organising and enabling SMEs to take energy efficiency actions, from concept to validation to implementation. The team includes research organisations (TNO, C-MAC), consultancies with expertise on SMEs and energy efficiency (CIT, CCS). Validation of the methodology will be carried out by CCS, C-MAC, BEA and SERVELECT all of whom have track records in engaging with SMEs on energy issues. Finally, an exploitation strategy and further roll out will be carried out by SYNYO and multiplier organisations (CNA, CLOK and TUCN).

The LEGOFIT project aims to design, implement and validate an advanced and dynamic integrative approach to accomplish EPH based on smart and innovative solutions with a high scalability and replicability for building construction and renovation, through: i) developing an innovative holistic design platform that encompass not only passive and active technologies but also their integration for smartest exchange of information and interoperability of systems based on Building Information Modelling (BIM), available for both professionals and end-users, ii) integrating active and passive strategies (e.g. envelope, HVAC systems, integrated solutions, including nature based solutions, etc.) with smart management technologies (BAS, BMS) for climate neutral and high energy building performance providing maximum flexibility to users iii) investigating innovative routes for promoting minimum environmental impacts by the smart use of solid and liquid residues generated during building life cycle stages and iv) fostering sustainable stock of buildings by guaranteeing not only the fulfilment of sustainable criteria (economic, social, environmental) but also according to the enhancement of smart readiness of buildings. This innovative and integrated approach is demonstrated in 3+ demos across a range of geographical, cultural and construction stages/technological market maturity scenarios. The building typology focus is the residential sector, multifamily houses and dormitories, including both new and existing constructions. The involvement of professionals in the sector is ensured through the development of a community of stakeholders and an open innovation community for Building Energy System (BES) professionals. Training courses focused on the new positive energy house approaches will ensure a new generation of multidisciplinary team of experts on the topic.

NEXTOWER shall introduce a set of innovative materials to boost the performance of atmospheric air-based concentrated solar power (CSP) systems to make them commercially viable. In particular, tower systems are appealing for the great environmental compatibility and offer tremendous potential for efficient (electrical and thermal) power generation. Yet, their industrial exploitation has been so far hindered by limitations in the materials used both for the central receiver - the core component - and for thermal storage. Such limitations dictate maximum working temperature and in-service overall durability (mainly driven by failure from thermal cycling and thermal shocks). Improving the efficiency of a tower system entails necessarily improving the central receiver upstream and possibly re-engineering the whole systems downstream to work longer and at much higher temperature, especially in the thermal storage compartment. NEXTOWER will address this need by taking a comprehensive conceptual and manufacturing approach that will optimize bulk and joining materials for durability at the component level to achieve 25 years of maintenance-free continued service of the receiver and maximum thermodynamic efficiency at the system level. This is made possible through a unique combination of excellence in materials design and manufacturing, CSP full-scale testing facilities brought together in the Consortium, supporting the making of a full-size demo modules SOLEAD (tested in Spain and Italy) within the project. The successful achievement of a new generation of materials allowing for virtually maintenance free operations (limited to ceraminc parts) and increased working temperature shall result in the next-generation of air-coolant CSP highly competitive over other CSP alternatives and sustainable power supply options.