Advanced Renovation in Non Residential Buildings

The project is an extension of the Danish participation in IEA Task 47 "Advanced Renovation in Non Residential Buildings". This project will increase the outcome of the Danish participation in Task 47.

New construction accounts for approx. only 1% of the energy consumption in the total building stock. Therefore there is a great need for and potential by implementing comprehensive energy conservation in existing buildings. In May 2010 the EU Parliament approved a recast of the EPBD citing that member countries must establish objectives in order to stimulate energy renovation of existing buildings to become almost energy neutral buildings Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB).

Examples of energy renovations have shown that it is possible to reduce the total primary energy consumption in buildings substantially and improve the indoor climate at the same time. Experience from these projects has not been systematically analysed, so energy targets for extensive renovations are often set too conservatively. Buildings already renovated to only mediocre levels may have lost the chance to achieve more ambitious levels, as profitability deteriorates substantially if further energy reductions are considered.

The project ensures Danish participation in the whole lifetime of the IEA Task 47 "Advanced Renovation in Non Residential Buildings". In this way Denmark participates in the development of solid knowledge of how to energy renovated buildings to reach a NZEB level in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. Moreover, the most important market and policy obstacles for doing so will be identified.

The project is of international character, so it is expected to encourage greater international cooperation on development and research on extensive energy renovation. The project could therefore be instrumental in ushering in energy renovation of large buildings and break down some barriers in this area. At a national level this will result in a major energy saving potential as Danish companies will be able to access the latest knowledge and information about good and effective renovation examples.