Along the first two years of the project, the design of the five demonstration sites was developed under common premises; each building design integrates a suitable combination of cost-effective energy efficient solutions and technologies, addressing all areas of the building design: structure and envelope, HVAC systems, integration of RES, water and waste management and regulation and control systems. The selection of these technologies during the design phase was supported by BIM, IPD and LCA/LCC tools and energy performance simulations, establishing a feedback process to support decision making. The construction phase of the buildings was finalized after four years; all demo sites (Lecce, Borås, Varberg, Stambruges and Istanbul) finalized their construction works meeting the implementation plans previously defined and the quality targets established. Full documentation of the construction works was reported, including the experience gained during the update of the BIM models during construction. The different situations of each demo site allow performing an assessment of the benefits and barriers for the implementation of BIM in different projects. The BIM tools were initially defined together with the appropriate exchange standards and have been used for a more integrated design and construction process in the demo sites and higher quality results.
The construction process has been evaluated against the Quality Control Plans for each pilot; the deficiencies in the assembly have been evaluated and a risk assessment analysis has been developed for prevention of possible failures. In addition, novel solutions in the demo sites have been documented, providing recommendations to take into consideration during construction aimed at optimizing their energy performance.
A common basis for the life cycle studies development (LCA and LCC) in the demo sites has been established and a tool for LCA/LCC calculations has been developed. Results from LCA and LCC analysis during the design and construction phases have been considered for decision making during these processes. Stakeholders are being successfully involved in the demo site projects since the beginning by applying the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) methodology.
Recommendations based on the lessons learnt from the design and construction phases have been released and are feeding the development of the NEED4B methodology. The NEED4B methodology for cost effective low energy new buildings design, construction and operation is under development, focusing on integrating recommendations obtained from the design and construction phases, from the application of the mentioned tools and methods and considering the different stakeholders’ needs.
A common protocol for the development of the demo sites motorization programme was developed in 2015. According to this protocol, all pilots defined their own monitoring plans and completed the installation of their monitoring systems. Between 2015 and 2016 all pilots started the monitoring process which aims to last at least two years. The monitoring data has been uploaded to the NEED4B central website repository. During this time, the impact of the users´ behaviour in the buildings performance has started to be analyzed, comparing their comfort perception with actual measurements, tuning the systems whenever needed, as a way to maxime comfort as well as building performance. In January 2017, all pilots have completed at least one full year of building monitoring.
In general, results are very satisfactory as primary energy consumption in four buildings is below 60 KWh/m2 year, matching former simulations. Moreover, the Energy Centre of the University campus in Istanbul has reported that ScoLa building behaves 50% more efficiently than the rest of university buildings which already hold a LEED Gold certificate. Cross-site visits to all pilots have been performed by project partners for knowledge sharing. The demonstration projects are open and prepared to host visitors as well.
To date, a total number of 52 deliverables have been submitted. Those public deliverables are available in the project website.