Join the POWER HOUSE nearly Zero Energy Challenge initiative!
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Key Documents:
1. June 2015
POWER HOUSE nearly Zero Energy Challenge Final Report
2015 might be a key year for the success or failure of EU Climate and Energy policies. The initiatives proposed within the framework of the Energy Union and the UN Climate Conference in Paris will decide the direction the EU will take regarding climate and the environment. The findings of the POWER HOUSE nearly-Zero Energy Challenge initiative could not be more timely.
This three-year initiative run by Housing Europe has come to an end and has produced solid policy-relevant findings. It aimed to boost the number of nearly-Zero Energy homes across the continent by sharing ideas and expertise between Public, Cooperative and Social Housing professionals and has provided a great opportunity for housing providers to share learnings, gather accurate performance data and make progress on energy efficiency throughout Europe.
Please click here to download the "POWER HOUSE nearly Zero Energy Challenge Final Report".
26. February 2013
The Fair Energy Transition towards nearly-Zero Energy Buildings
Public, Cooperative and Social Housing providers in Europe own and manage 12% of the housing stock. The POWER HOUSE nearly-Zero Energy Challenge initiative led by Housing Europe seeks to build capacity and confidence amongst these providers ahead of the requirement set by the EU directives.
The report introduces the nearly-Zero Energy Challenge and describes the important role that Public, Cooperative and Social Housing operators can play in delivering nZEB, clarifying also what they mean by a ‘fair energy transition’. It also addresses the issues at stake and barriers in developing nearly-Zero Energy Buildings previously identified through a need analysis carried out at European level. To conclude, the report proposes some recommendations for actions and illustrates some best policy and practice examples from all across the EU.
22. January 2014
Exemplary Financing Models from across the European Union
Although many Member States now have in place - or are working towards nearly-Zero Energy definitions - which will be incorporated into building requirements for new constructions, a large proportion of the housing stock which will be used in 2050 is already built. For this reason, there is a need to identify sustainable and accessible funding sources and innovative schemes in order to drive low-energy refurbishment programmes for these buildings as well.
This report considers where the Public, Cooperative and Social Housing sector stands in terms of financing energy efficiency in buildings and what the next steps are in moving towards the final required target. This process also includes the examination of ten different financial models currently being used by various member states, taken from a cross section of housing types and tenures, and with consideration of the benefits and limitations of each one.
30. January 2013
Overview on Status, Cost Optimality and Key Conditions for nZEB
Bringing together technical and economic feasibility while securing affordable housing is key to a 'fair energy transition' towards nearly-Zero Energy Buildings. This report provides an insight on the status of nZEB within the Countries involved in the POWER HOUSE nearly-Zero Energy Challenge initiative and describes favorable conditions for bringing nearly-Zero Energy standards into practice.
A chapter is also dedicated to the concept of cost-optimality; particularly, the issue of calculated energy demand and costs vs. measured energy consumption data and actual running costs was analysed and tested for the case of Austria, based on both theoretical calculation and actual data collected from a broad sample of buildings. The conclusions of this report, from both the descriptive and the analytical part, are formulated as key challenges on the way to nearly-Zero Energy Buildings.
Case Studies of the Week:
nZEC - New construction of 8 dwellings in Via Nuova, Montelupo Fiorentino, Italy (UNDER MONITORING)
Name of organisation: Publicasa s.p.a.
Location: Montelupo Fiorentino, Italy
Type of Project: construction
Scale: individual buildings
Number of units/dwellings: 8
nZEC - New construction of 354 dwellings in General Eccher Strasse, Innsbruck, Austria (UNDER MONITORING)
Name of organisation: NHT - Neue Heimat Tirol
Location: Innsbruck, Austria
Type of Project: construction
Scale: group of buildings
Number of units/dwellings: 354
nZEC - Energy refurbishment of 38 dwellings in Via dei Querci, Firenze, Italy (UNDER MONITORING)
Name of organisation: Unica Soc. Coop. Firenze
Location: Firenze, Italy
Type of Project: refurbishment
Scale: individual buildings
Number of units/dwellings: 38