The HeriTACE project brings together a transdisciplinary team of research institutes, authorities, SMEs, and industry experienced in design, technology, and policymaking in the domains of conservation, buildings and energy. A significant increase in deep renovations of heritage buildings has the potential to lead to effective energy demand reductions and readiness for the transition to R2ES. Based on prior research and field knowledge supported by various EU and national projects, bottlenecks have been identified that prevent the futureproofing of heritage buildings and its replication. To overcome them, HeriTACE proposes innovative technical solutions, integrated into a holistic and multi-scale renovation approach, by developing and validating: (1) A replicable holistic assessment model and standardised processes to create a holistic vision and plan on the renovation requirements for heritage townhouses in historical neighbourhoods, (2) Optimal and integrated design approaches for the deep renovation of heritage townhouses, with well-considered, targeted and minimal invasive renovation measures, (3) Durable insulation and air tightness solutions for the renovation of building envelopes, respecting their heritage values and traditional building technology, (4) Optimised and smart controlled HVAC-concepts adapted to heritage townhouses, optimising comfort, and indoor air quality precisely where and when the building users need it, and (5) Integrated R²ES-based energy supply solutions, maximising the share of local R²ES in heritage buildings within historical neighbourhoods. The project will deliver solutions for authorities and designers to envision and govern a sustainable energy future for heritage townhouses in historical neighbourhoods, thus putting the EU Green Deal and New European Bauhaus into practice. Close collaboration between researchers, SMEs and industry shall increase the availability of high-quality solutions for the building conservation sector.

The RE-SKIN project aims at developing an integrated and multifunctional system for energy retrofit of existing buildings, organised in two main subsystems, roof and façade, combined with the building's HVAC system. The roof is equipped with a hybrid photovoltaic-thermal system, which produces electricity and heat and at the same time thermally and acoustically insulates the slab beneath. Electricity, from retrofitted photovoltaic modules, powers the building's loads, which interacts with the grid and EV charging stations. Heat is used by a heat pump for heating and hot water preparation. Solar modules form the outer skin of the roof and replace traditional materials such as tiles and sheets. Through a special treatment, they can take on different colours, depending on the aesthetic and architectural identity of the building. The façade is a thermal cladding with self-supporting panels and bio-based insulation, optimised for quick assembly without scaffolding, inside which the wiring for the new installations and earthquake sensors are housed. Retrofit techniques/components of existing windows are also included. Both the roof and the façade are particularly resistant to weather and extreme climatic phenomena, as they use materials that are more resistant and waterproof than traditional ones. The HVAC system consists of a solar-assisted DC air-water heat pump, connected to smart-fancoils, which are designed to be connected to the building’s heating piping, but can provide both heating and cooling. The whole system is designed according to a circular economy logic, using mostly recycled/bio-based/repurposed/refurbished materials, and is supported by a lifecycle cloud-based DSS and energy management tool, in order to maximise energy performance while reducing environmental impacts. The system can be applied all over Europe, as it provides renewable energy and participates actively and passively in the energy performance of buildings, both in summer and winter.

SPHEERE aims to develop an innovative renovation process based on a multi‐functional, prefabricated and holistic package for sustainable building retrofit. To ensure maximum potential for rapid and broad deployment at European level, this package is conceived to be easily adapted to different building types, uses and climate contexts, with minor adjustments and specific adaptations (e.g. insulation thickness, HVAC power, PV surface, etc.). The project is based on a highly innovative approach-both from a process (design, manufacturing, installation) and component perspective-capable of combining high performance with significantly reduced installation time and cost. Based on a multifunctional digital backbone and on the development of innovative products, manufacturing methods and laying practices, the process embraces the whole workflow of building renovation, from industrial design, to offsite manufacturing, intervention planning, installation, maintenance, operation and end of life. The combination of technological, methodological and organizational innovations, closely interconnected also according to circularity principles, will enable the transformation of existing buildings of different types and categories into energy-efficient/flexible and low-emission buildings, considering the entire life cycle. Moreover, design, experimentation and organic development of the various phases and subcomponents of both process and system will allow for very rapid installation times at significantly reduced costs, while limiting disturbance and interference with occupants as well as impacts on the intervening environmental context. This project will be developed to give implementation to the “Built4People Partnership Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda 2021-2027” on the basis of the Consortium partners' participation in the strategic activities of ECTP and New European Bauhaus.

HEART is a multifunctional retrofit toolkit within which different subcomponents – ICT, BEMS, HVAC, BIPV and Envelope Technologies – cooperate synergistically to transform an existing building into a Smart Building. Based on a whole-building performance approach, the toolkit is conceived to achieve extremely high levels of energy efficiency in the existing residential building stock, with particular reference to Central and Southern Europe, where climate change and energy transition have boosted electricity consumption peaks both during summer and winter seasons. However, it may be extended equally well to new residential and commercial buildings. The system’s central core consists of a cloud-based computing platform which concentrates managing and operational logic to support decision-making in planning and construction as well as energy performance enhancement and monitoring during operation. The Toolkit provide energy saving, energy fluxes optimization, data exchange, stakeholders’ active involvement and Smart Grid interactivity. Interoperable building technologies and installations are also integrated in the toolkit: envelope solutions (thermal insulation and windows) ensure a reduction of thermal loads, while technical systems (BEMS, BIPV, heat pump, fan-coils, power controller, storage systems) ensure energy efficiency and RES exploitation. All technical systems and building components are structured as a function of their affordability, interactivity, practicality, reduced installation time and non-invasiveness. HEART's contribution to the improvement of the building renovation process can be briefly summarized through its main features: • Retrofit planning and implementation optimization; • Reduction of total energy consumption; • Reinforcement of RES exploitation; • Rationalization of energy flows inside the building and between building and Smart Grids; • Active involvement of stakeholders; • Support to energy financing.

Today, there are still several R&D barriers, and user-acceptance-related challenges that hinder the smooth integration and proliferation of multiple Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) in buildings. In response to that, RE-COGNITION proposes a holistic, end-to-end RETs Integration Framework towards energy positive buildings with a focus on small and medium-sized buildings in Europe. Through the envisaged Automated Cognitive Energy Management Engine (ACEME), RE will be utilized more efficiently paired with appropriate storage technologies and innovative energy systems to meet the electricity and heating/cooling demand of the buildings. The framework is designed to enable the integration of multiple, heterogeneous, energy generating systems covering the spectrum of available building-scale RES (solar (PV, thermal/ cooling), wind, bio-energy (renewable biofuel through micro-CHP) and geothermal) and demonstrating future-proof extensibility. To this end, the project entails R&D at the level of single technologies and their interconnection with novel energy systems (like heat-pumps harnessing geothermal energy, absorption chillers) leveraging current IoT and smart-grid standardization outcomes. Along with measurable improvements on each technology’s efficiency, performance, desired characteristics and cost-effectiveness, RE-COGNITION ensures optimal integration of RETs in buildings, as well as (inter)operation and matching between building RE supply and energy demand. Its stakeholder-centred approach aligns both the process and its outcomes with the needs and expectations of (end-)users by providing tools that facilitate large-scale deployment of building-scale RETs. For 36 months 15 partners from 7 EU countries will provide technology know-how, lab facilities & 5 validation sites and will work towards meeting EU’s expectations for reduced dependence on fossil fuels and cost-effectiveness compared to conventional energy generation and management solutions in buildings.