“One of the main innovations that has been developed is an industrialised multi-functional modular enclosure”
TECNALIA leads a European project to accelerate the energy retrofitting of buildings through modular and digital solutions
The building sector is responsible for approximately 40% of energy consumption in the European Union, mainly due to heating, air conditioning and domestic hot water needs. In order to achieve the decarbonisation targets set for 2050, the renovation rate of existing buildings must increase, as it is still very low today.
In order to respond to this challenge, TECNALIA has coordinated the ENSNARE project, aimed at transforming the energy retrofitting of the housing stock through a comprehensive approach that combines technological innovation, digitalisation and industrialisation.
Industrialised multifunctional modular enclosure
- One of the main innovations that has been developed is an industrialised multifunctional modular envelope.
- This solution integrates solar technology (photovoltaic, solar thermal, and hybrid of the two), an advanced insulation layer, smart windows and a decentralised ventilation system with heat recovery.
- In addition, its plug & play design allows for very fast installation and reduces errors on site.
Digitalisation of the retrofitting process
On the other hand, solutions have been developed for the digitalisation of the retrofitting process.
- The automated generation of a BIM model of the building using drones.
- A digital platform for monitoring the retrofitting process with a decision support tool that includes an economic, energy and comfort analysis. This solution optimises each stage of the process, reducing costs and execution times.
- A digital twin monitors the system for energy efficiency optimisation during operation.
The new envelope and the advanced digital platform enable faster, more efficient and sustainable retrofitting.
Validation in real buildings
The developed solutions have been validated in three real demonstrator buildings in Estonia, Italy and Bulgaria, where significant improvements in energy efficiency, thermal comfort and emission reductions have been achieved.
With this project, TECNALIA has strengthened its commitment to the decarbonisation of the housing stock, promoting a more industrialised, digitalised and sustainable retrofitting model, which lays the foundations for a new generation of smart buildings with almost zero energy consumption.