Cost reduction of new Nearly Zero Energy Buildings
Successful responses to one of the major energy transition challenges
Ljubljana, 28 June 2019 | Published in Energy
CoNZEBs is a EU Horizon 2020 project on the topic ‘Cost reduction of new Nearly Zero Energy Buildings’ (call H2020-EE-2016-CSA, topic EE-13-2016), aiming to address one of the major energy transition challenges, namely the one of lowering the costs.CoNZEBs identifies and assesses technology solution sets that lead to significant cost reductions in new Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs). The focus of the project is on multi-family buildings. Close cooperation with housing associations allows for an intensive interaction with stakeholders and tenants.
The project team consists of 9 organisations (national research organisations in the field of high performance buildings and housing associations) from 4 different countries (Germany, Denmark, Italy and Slovenia). Housing Fund of RS, a member of Housing Europe, is involved as partner from Slovenia. At the same time, our Danish member, BL is also part of the consortium as well as ACER Reggio Emilia, a member of Federcasa.
The project started by setting baseline costs for conventional new buildings, currently available NZEBs and buildings that go beyond the NZEB level based on the experience of the consortium. Then the planning and construction processes were analysed to identify possible cost reductions. The technology solution sets for cost reduction of NZEBs can include solutions for installations or generation systems, pre-fabrication and construction acceleration, systems with RES technologies (like pure electrical heating in combination with PV, PV/T in conjunction with a heat pump so that no earth coupling is required, ventilation supply through the walls to reduce the costs for ducts, larger bricks including insulation, decentral domestic hot water generation, etc.).
All solution sets are assessed regarding cost savings, energy performance and applicability in multi-family buildings. A life cycle assessment of different building levels (regular buildings, NZEBs) and NZEBs using the solution sets for long-term cost reduction provides a longer term perspective on the environmental and economic impact on alternative NZEB design solutions. An investigation of end-users' experiences and expectations together with this guide on the co-benefits of NZEBs will promote living in these buildings and enhance the energy performance by conducive user behaviour.