NEED4B answers to the challenge
The building sector is the highest energy consumer in the EU (about 40%) and main contributor to GHG emissions (about 36% of EU´s total CO2 emissions). In order to drastically reduce its energy consumption and associated GHG emissions, the European Directive 2010/31/UE establishes that all new-builds must reach near-zero energy consumption levels by year 2020.
In this context, a strong effort is needed to adopt strong energy efficiency advances in the new construction projects, as well as associated process and business strategies that result into a large scale market deployment of energy efficient buildings.
NEED4B involves key expertise to demonstrate the technical, social and economic feasibility of this challenge
Concept
The overall objective of the project is to develop an open and easily replicable methodology for designing, constructing, and operating new low energy buildings, aiming to a large market uptake. NEED4B methodology will be validated and refined by a strong demonstration programme, envisaging the construction of 23.500 m2, spread among four demo sites covering different climatic zones, buildings types and uses, what ensures replicability of the project results and guarantees their impact in the construction sector.
All buildings have a common target of achieving an energy consumption lower than 60 kWh/m2 year (in terms of primary energy) representing 65% reduction compared to current regulations and regular practices. This target will be possible thanks to the selection and integration of the most suitable set of innovative and cost-effective energy efficient solutions and technologies for each of the buildings, addressing all areas of the building design: structure and envelope, HVAC, integration of RES, water and waste management and control systems.
NEED4B started in February 2012 and will last 6 years. The project is coordinated by CIRCE. Altogether, the project involves 14 experienced partners from 5 different countries in the EU, covering the most relevant stakeholders: six SMEs (contractors/real state, engineering, ICT and architects), three large industries (contractor/realstate, engineering and wood industry), two research centres and three Universities.