State-of-the-Art Implementation Examples
The state-of-the-art solutions selected to illustrate energy-efficient buildings (SP3) good practices are: (i) Refurbishment with prefabricated elements in Munich, (ii) Super-efficient buildings in Lyon, and (iii) Heat Exchanger with Potable Water in Budapest. These examples show how state-of-the-art patterns introduced above can be combined in different ways according to local realities and needs. Detailed descriptions of these solutions, including technologies, business models, funding mechanisms, procurement procedures, and governance models, are available in the Annex.
Technologies and Tools
- All three solutions employ common technologies and digital tools such as Urban Data Platform, Digital Twins, Smart Grid Technologies, and Management and Optimization with AI.
Funding and Monetization
- Primarily funded through savings in energy bills, with potential for additional funding through grants and public-private partnerships.
- Monetization strategies focus on energy savings and operational efficiencies.
Governance and Procurement
- All solutions operate under the SPV governance model, demonstrating the effectiveness of specialized in-house companies in managing large-scale energy-efficient building projects.
- Possible procurement models include Web of Contracts (WC) and Concession Contract with Private/Public Companies (CCPR/CCPU).
City
MunichDescription
- MGS, a publicly owned subsidiary of GWG responsible for social housing in Munich, uses prefabricated elements for the facade and roof of private and public buildings under the SPV governance model.
- Their role is to raise awareness and advise owners to refurbish their buildings to high efficiency standards, replacing non-renewable energy sources with renewable ones.
Benefits
- Leads to highly efficient buildings with precise construction, reduced onsite time, and lower construction costs.
- Combines facade elements with PV systems and greenery, enhancing sustainability and aesthetic appeal.
- Highly replicable and scalable, with construction costs decreasing as demand increases due to the economy of scale of prefabricated elements.
Governance and Procurement
- Operates under the SPV governance model.
- Advises and supports building owners in achieving high efficiency standards.
City
LyonDescription
- At the Lyon Confluence district, the solution aims to massify the production of energy-efficient buildings through a concession granted to SPL Lyon Confluence (SPV).
- The SPV services the land and builds infrastructures before selling serviced plots to real estate developers, who must comply with construction and energy performance specifications.
Benefits
- Promotes the development of super-efficient buildings, reducing energy consumption and costs.
- Massification strategy reduces construction costs, enabling broader adoption of energy-efficient building practices.
Governance and Procurement
- Operates under the SPV governance model.
- Relies on control of land ownership, creation of an SPL, and strong political will to achieve long-term project goals.
City
BudapestDescription
- Budapest Waterworks (BW), a publicly owned water utility service provider, has designed an innovative technology that harnesses the excess heat capacity of potable water by integrating a heat exchanger for drinking water into standard heat pumps.
- Provides heating and cooling for surrounding buildings using the Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) business model.
Benefits
- Highly innovative technology with no risk to water quality or pressure loss in the pipe network.
- More efficient than conventional heating systems, reducing the operation cost of heating and cooling.
- Potentially zero emissions when coupled with solar panels, contributing to sustainable heating solutions.
Governance and Procurement
- Operates under the SPV governance model.
- Manufacturing process can be optimized with standardized sections, reducing costs and time for upscaling.
These examples highlight the integration of state-of-the-art technologies and business models in energy-efficient buildings, demonstrating their potential to enhance sustainability and reduce energy consumption in urban environments.