The District as Action Level for Building Renovation Combining Energy Efficiency & Renewables: Making use of the Potentials

A Guide for Policy and Decision-Makers

Report (2023)

Authors

Hauke Meyer German Association for Housing, Urban and Spatial Development
Maximilian Pechstein German Association for Housing, Urban and Spatial Development
Manuela Almeida University of Minho
Anita Tan De Domenico University of Minho
Bernhard Gugg SIR - Salzburg Institute for Regional Planning and Housing GmbH
Uta Schneider Gräfin zu Lynar B.&S.U. Beratungs- und Service-Gesellschaft Umwelt mbH (BSU Berlin)
E. Mlecnik Real Estate Management - Architecture and the Built Environment
T. Konstantinou Architectural Technology - Architecture and the Built Environment
More Authors... External organisation
Research Group
Real Estate Management (Architecture and the Built Environment) (TU Delft)
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Published Date

2023

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Department

Management in the Built Environment

Research Group

Real Estate Management

Abstract

The guidebook illustrates that the district, as an action level for building renovation, allows for synergies through combinations of energy efficiency measures and measures that promote the use of renewable energy and opportunities for stakeholders to cooperate, compared to an individual building approach. But building renovation at the district level also presents challenges. These include high upfront costs, a long payback time, and risks of not being implemented due to a potential withdrawal of some building owners at different stages. However, the studies also show that often the opportunities are greater than the challenges in district approaches, even if the cost-effectiveness of certain measures may not necessarily be one of these opportunities.
One main conclusion from IEA EBC Annex 75 is that assessments must be carried out for each district renovation project since no "ready-made" or "one size fits all" solutions exist. Still, several techno-economic potentials for district solutions are apparent. Furthermore, the research indicates that the best renovation solutions for a district-level renovation depend on the district's starting situation. The building insulation level, the installed heating/cooling systems, the availability of renewable energy sources and the possibility of integrating renewable energy are determining factors.