solar thermal in major renovations and protected urban areas · annually, the system generates...

Solar Thermal in major renovaTionS and proTecTed urban areaS

© Ritter Solar

2 www.urbansolplus.eu The global challenge, a local solution

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The problem

Climate is influenced by many factors, both natural and human. The main impact of humans on the global cli-mate is likely to be the emissions of greenhouse gases. The energy used to heat, light and run buildings is re-sponsible for nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions.

The challenge now is to stop global warming and re-duce the long term impact of human activity in terms of energy generation and carbon emissions on the en-vironment. This can only be achieved by deploying re-newables and saving energy on a massive scale.

Buildings account for 40% of total energy consumption in the EU. The

sector is expanding, which is bound to increase its energy consumption.

Therefore, reduction of energy consumption and the use of energy

from renewable sources in the buildings sector constitute important

measures needed to reduce the Union’s energy dependency and greenhouse

gas emissions.

DIRECTIVE 2010/31/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 19 May

2010 on the energy per formance of buildings

Major barriers to the use of solar thermal systems have been reported for renovated multi-family buildings locat-ed in urban and/or protected areas. Frequently, renewa-bles are not permitted by Building Codes because:

• the provisions apply to new buildings only, not renovations

• buildings located in protected areas are often exempt from STS investments, even though they should become a par t of them.

The solution

In the context of ever-rising energy costs, climate change, depletion of natural energy resources and concern over the long term security of energy supplies, solar thermal energy is a carbon-free, renewable al-ternative to the power we generate with fossil fuels like coal and gas. It seems to be a perfect, sustainable so-lution for urban multi-family buildings.

However, very limited application of solar thermal systems in multi-family houses and urban areas until now has been in contradiction to its definite advan-tages listed below:

• Solar thermal systems produce emission-free heat whereas urban areas often suffer from air-pollution.

• Solar energy is available and can be used al-most everywhere (on site). As an energy source it is unlimited and makes users independent of fuel prices or power cuts. The possibilities of using other renewable heat sources are often limited in urban areas (biomass: fuel logis-tics, emissions; heat pumps: limited space for ground heat exchangers).

• In many cases solar thermal systems make it possible to meet the requirements of the Renew-able Heat Law with the best economic feasibility and the lowest total investment costs.

• Advanced solutions for architectural integration are available.

Table of Content:

1. Introduction ........................... 2

2. Applications ........................... 4

3. Main Actors ........................... 6

4. Cooperation Models ................ 8

5. Technical Solutions .................. 9

6. How Solar Works ...................10

7. Integration Products ............... 11

8. Feasibility .............................12

9. Best Practise ..........................14

10. UrbanSolPlus .........................19

3The global challenge, a local solution www.urbansolplus.eu

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A new sustainable solution for urban multi-family buildings

With the rapid development of technology, well de-signed solar thermal systems are capable of satisfying approximately 40-60% of annual hot water needs in a building.

If we were to assume that just 10% of residential buildings could be equipped with solar installations, the amount of energy savings thus obtained could have a considerable impact on Europe’s total fossil fuel con-sumption.

A large multi-family building uses an average of 200 million BTU of natural gas per month for domestic hot water only. As there are 1 million residential buildings in Europe, it is clear that a 40% reduction in energy needs for all of them would be a very respectable num-ber indeed! Solar thermal systems can certainly play a part in reducing urban dependence on fossil fuels.

Solar thermal energy as a legal requirement

Solar obligations are regulations requiring that a minimum share of the heating demand be covered by solar energy. They usually apply to new buildings, those undergoing major renovation and the houses where the old heating system has been replaced.

Solar obligations are probably the single most pow-erful instrument for promoting the use of renewables in new buildings. Empirical evidence has proven their manifold benefits. However, solar obligations funda-mentally alter the growth of the solar thermal market. Customers will often search for the cheapest possible solutions.

Reliable, adaptable & pollution free

Increasingly stringent legislation and

escalating fuel costs make solar hot

water an even more attractive option.

© Source: Berliner Energieagentur


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CPC | Campo Pequeno Building, Lisbon, PORTUGAL

The Campo Pequeno building is a residential building undergoing a re-furbishment process aimed at transforming the building into a luxury multi-residential apartment building. Following the renovation strategy, compliant with the National Portuguese STO, 58 CPC collectors were integrated in the southern and western facade of the building as well as on its roof.

The solar thermal field is centralized and each apartment has its own accumulator with a backup system supported by a natural gas boiler. The surplus of energy is sent to the condominium inner pool or to the thermo ventilator (water/air) outside.

Solutions with so many applications

Multi-family buildings, Crailsheim, GERMANY

The Crailsheim project has been carried out in an urban district with the aim to shift its energy consumption from fossil fuels to renewables. Solar thermal collectors were installed on the roof as part of the renovation pro-cess of the former barrack buildings and represent a successful, energy-efficient improvement in terms of architecture and technology. The investor effectively employed the solar image as a strategy to sell the apartments. Eventually, successful in-roof-integration was achieved through close col-laboration of architects and manufacturers of collectors and windows dur-ing the installation process.

Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Redemptorist Monastery, POLAND

The Monastery was built in 1682 and from then on until the present the church buildings have been systematically upgraded. The old heating system, using gas and electric boilers, was modernized in 2001. This intervention provided an opportunity to integrate a solar thermal system of 128 m2. Due to the limited area and structural resistance of the monastery roofs, the solar collectors had to be divided into two fields, one with 40 collectors and an-other with 31 panels. The total investment amounted to over PLN 400 thou-sand, which paid for itself in 7 years, as the system generates almost 400 GJ per year allowing to reduce annual exploitation costs by PLN 60 thousand.

Königlich Sächsische Schrotfabrik, Freiberg, GERMANY

The former “Royal Saxon Small Shot Factory” was built in the 19th century. Now, the building is listed as historical heritage and used as an apartment house. In 2000 a solar thermal system was installed. For this purpose a 45 m² collector area was integrated into the dormer, which brought energy savings of about 25 % per year. At the same time the tenants saved Euro 25 - 30/m² on their monthly rent. The design, an excellent compromise be-tween energy and architecture, achieves a perfectly harmonious relationship between the modern solar thermal system and the old heritage building.

© Source: Solites

© Source: Soli fer Solardach GmbH


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Palace of Bishops, POLAND

The Palace of Bishops, built in 1900, houses the Institute of Bishop Wilhelm Pluta. The building energy needs are 133 kW for heating and 19 kW to ob-tain hot water. The heating system after renovation includes 8 solar thermal collectors (vacuum tube collectors) and 4 PV panels (total surface - 30 m2) with a pump heater. The palace interior is fitted with specially designed aluminum heaters following architectural requirements. To generate elec-tricity needed by the pumps combined with the solar system, PV panels were installed. Solar collectors were connected with the circulation system that includes 500 litre containers located inside the building.

Sport center parking, Barcelona, Sants-Montjuic District, SPAIN

The solar thermal system located in the Sports Centre car park at Picornell pools has a solar caption area of 334 m² and generates 369,000 kWh of energy per year, thus satisfying 41% of annual hot water demand.

CPC | Caixa Geral de Depósitos Building, Portugal

The solar thermal system installed on the roof of the CGD headquarters in Lisbon, came into operation on 15 March of 2008 and was the result of a technological partnership with EDP.

This installation includes 158 solar collectors (121 active and 37 to be activated) put up on 1600 m2 of the building roof surface. As a result, there was a reduction in the energy consumed to produce domestic hot water and power the air conditioning system in the building.

Annually, the system generates 200,00 kWh of energy for domestic hot water used in kitchens and bathrooms and 545 kW which power the local air conditioning system. In total, solar thermal yield may reach 1,000,000 kWh per year.

Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Region, SPAIN

Vitória-Gasteiz is located in the Spanish province of Alava. Its historical character was recognized in 1987, when the medieval district was declared a monumental site, one of the most beautiful and best preserved in the north of the peninsula.

The medieval layout of Vitoria-Gasteiz is still intact.

As this medieval quarter is managed by a public institution called the Medieval Quarter Integral Revitalization Agency (ARICH), any attempt to integrate solar panels on the roofs of buildings in this area has to be negotiated with ARICH. So far, solar thermal systems have been installed on the roofs of three refurbished buildings in Zapatería Street 22 and 33, and Pintorería Street 20.

Despite the regional law that protects historical patrimony, more historical buildings can be equipped with solar installations, depending on the state of the building and subject to ARICH’s approval.

© Source: Tomasz Chwalisz

© Source: google maps


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Working together for a sustainable future

How to foster the use of solar thermal systems, especially in existing buildings, is a subject discussed in several forums. The crucial point is to

involve the relevant stakeholders in the process. Additionally, it is necessary to foster the development of an adequate policy, promote shared investment,

deploy innovative business models and raise the local community’s awareness.

SOLAR THERMAL INDUSTRIES

LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS and MARKET

ACTORS

LOCAL COMMUNITIES, GOVERNMENTS

and AUTHORITIES

Technology suppllers

Manufac-turers

Cultural heritage

Building sector

Town planning

Enviroment

House owners

Tenants

Architects

Renovation enterprises

ESCOs

Financing organisation


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Local authorities: Local energy strategies provide that local authorities are responsible for facilitating the process and simplifying the procedures. They can also organize a reference group for campaigning and networking actions. There is a wide range of supporting tools available, which include au-thorization procedures and the best practice examples.

Cultural heritage offices:

Protected areas, old parts of cities or old buildings often fail to have so-lar systems installed, even if the municipality has implemented simplified permit procedures. The involvement of cultural heritage offices is very important in order to develop common standard guidelines for the most common measures and interventions.

Architects and planners: They have the technical know-how and are able to explain the advan-tages of solar panels and speak to authorization bodies.

Companies (ESCOs) ESCOs can propose particular contracting models with performance guarantees, e.g. sharing the economic advantages of systems. Further-more, ESCOs have the financial abilities to perform the intervention when the owner is unable to finance the project by himself. The Feasi-bility Decision Base, a tool produced within the USP project, provides examples of potential business opportunities.

Tenants/owners: The owners and tenants of buildings are crucial partners in the entire process. Associations of property managers can be involved, too, be-cause of their position in the decision making process.

Associations of manufacturers:

Associations are interested in a fast and lean process from the start to the implementation stage. Having valuable experience, they may facili-tate the contribution of institutional bodies. They must be aware of the special requirements related to solar systems in protected areas in order to meet the needs of authorising bodies.

Installation crews: Installers are key actors in the project implementation process as they have hands-on experience and know the difficulties at the construction site. Additionally, this group is focused on growing their business (both installation and maintenance) and thus assembling more systems.


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The Energy Service Company model as a provider of solutions for the produc-tion of hot domestic water has already been implemented in several projects in Spain. The business model is based on a mixed mode of financing which includes subsidies. The energy services contract is presented to the condominium and must be accepted by all the residents. The preliminary project should include:

• Estimation of the average consumption of thermal energy used for hot water production based on the consumption of water and gas in the past two years;

• Description of the Solar Thermal System (STS) proposed and estimation of potential savings;

• Budget and financial/economic viability.

The initial investment is shared between the condominium and the ESCO com-pany. The contribution paid by each resident is calculated using a coefficient based on the number of residents and the total area of the apartment. The costs of cold water consumption and gas needed for the backup system are distributed between all the flat owners by the condominium administrator using the afore-mentioned coefficient.

ESCO is responsible for building and operating STS and the contract between ESCO and the condominium is made for the period of 6 years during which:

• STS is owned by ESCO;

• the condominium pays ESCO 100% of the gas savings – the dif ference between the average consumption of gas (last 2 years before STS) and the gas consumption billed (after STS);

• installation maintenance is included in the contract;

• after the first six years STS is delivered to the condominium,which must contract maintenance to ESCO for the price of 10% of savings on gas and EUR 0 if savings are less than 60% of expected savings.

Examples of cooperation models

What can you do as a local community or residential manager to Launchasolar thermal project and cooperate with other market players? Some of the best examples of cooperation between different parties in

the solar thermal project preparation can be found below.

ESCO – Energy Service Company model in SPAIN

“Erdgas + Solar XXL” – campaign for promoting large-scale solar thermal systems (Berlin, Germany)

In 2007 the Energy Agency Berlin (BEA) and GASAG, an energy supplier in Berlin, initiated a campaign within the IEE project SOLARGE called “Erdgas + Solar XXL“ targeting investors interested in installing large collective solar thermal systems for multi-family buildings, hotels, public and social buildings.

The target groups are, on the one hand, house owners, construction companies and construction associations and, on the other, planners and installers. The campaign consists of four modules: awareness and dissemination, consulting, feasibility studies and investment and subsidies.

The first module of dissemination includes events for several target groups such as the “Solares Frühstück”- solar breakfast where housing companies and multipliers are invited to have breakfast while discussing solar projects. Furthermore, there are training courses for planners, tours to existing solar thermal plants, other presentations and events. The second module includes consulting initiated by a potential investor who sends data about his building to BEA. The next step is a sponsored feasibility study undertaken by BEA or planners. If the result is positive, sup-port is provided during installation. The consulting module involves general subsidies and subsidies from GASAG, provided that the installation is larger than 20 m² and combined with a gas condensing boiler. As a result of the campaign about 100 feasibility studies have been undertaken and more than 40 large-scale solar thermal systems have been developed so far.

Solar thermal collector on multi-family building in Berlin.

© Source: Source_Mathias Renner_City-Press GmbH


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Urban solar installation in a few steps How to find the best solution for the building undergoing renovation:

A decision tree for technical solutions can be downloaded from: www.urbansolplus.eu

Decision on the best solution for the specific case of renovation

Decision

Evaluation of District Heating availability in the districtEvaluation of the feasibility to implement a Solar Thermal District Heating

Solar Thermal - District Heating

Evaluation of the existing heating systemEvaluation of the feasibility to implement a centralized heating system if it does not exist

Heating system

Evaluation of space availability for the solar thermal collectorsEvaluation of space availability for the technical room

Space Availability

Repeat this scheme for every typology of building of the district with the analysis of the All the common possibilities for the buildings of the district, you can decise Th solution/s that Best fit/s to your case.

Is the existing heating system centralized?

Do Any DH facilities exist?

I sit feasible to implement STS (2) on

the existing DH facility?

Is the existing heating system centralized?

Is it feasible (4) to implement a centralized

heating system?

Is it feasible to implement a centralized

heating system?

Is it feasible to implement a ST DH facility (3)?

Do any DH facilities exist?

Is it feasible to implement STS on the existing DH facility?

Is it feasible to implement a ST DH

facility?

No solution for STS Central STS on DH Multifield STS on DH (central + distributed)

Centralized collector field, accumulation

and backup

Collective solar field and accumulation

with individual backup system

Collective solar field with individual accumulation and

backup system

Individual STS

(1) space, architectural integration, shadow, structural characteristics, legislation limitations

(2) Centralized large STS connected to the DH net

(3) Centralized large STDH

(4) Opportunities; existing renovation plan, specyfic intervention Works (replace the old heating system, renovation of the water Or gas distribution net, installing elevators, renovation of the roofs..)

feasible not recommended

YES YES YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

NO

NO NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

Is there enough space for a technical room in

the common area?

Is there enough space for a technical room in

apartments?

Is there available free space in the dwellings for technical room?

YES


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Make use of solar

Hot water supply

Hot water preparation is still by far the major solar thermal application in Europe. Solar Domestic Hot Wa-ter systems (DHW) are specifically designed to deliver as much as 60% of the annual hot water demand us-ing carbon-free solar energy. DHW systems include a supplementary heater (e.g. an integrated electric or gas heater) or they are operated as pre-heaters.

Supplementary heating

Combined DHW and space heating systems (COMBI systems) are often more complex than solar systems sup-plying DHW only. In consequence, the system design must be adapted to the specific requirements of the building. However, a well designed COMBI system to-gether with good insulation can cover up to 50% of the annual heat demand or even reduce it to zero.

BARRIERS OPPORTUNITIES

Architectural limitations because of protection, reser-vations made by a heritage conservator (e.g. special, more expensive colours of the frame, forbidden inter-vention into the building facade).

Consider STS an option when promoting specific interven-tion works, such as replacement of the old heating system, requalification of the water or gas distribution network in the building or its roof cover, fittingin elevators, etc.

Complex intervention is not provided for in a refurbish-ment plan.

The district or the building are included in the renova-tion plan (e.g. of the roofs).

No surface available for the collector field (e.g. there are other installations on the roof).

There is a rehabilitation plan for specific intervention works.

Complexity of volume distribution on flat roofs where the surface available is reduced due to shadow.

Solar Thermal Ordinance – the obligation to use hot water that is heated by solar collectors.

Roof orientation Special funds earmarked for building renovation

Lack of space for technical area (storage, interchange of heat, etc.), collective and/or individual.

Other available alternative sources of energy may be combined with the solar thermal system (e.g. geother-mal energy)

Structural problems related to the high weight that needs to be supported

Existence of a district heating grid and/or proximity to the district heating grid storage

Solar systems comprise of three key elements, highly versatile, and may have a variety of applications ranging from small apartments to

large commercial installations.

Multi-family buildings located in urban or protected areas face unique opportunities and challenges. Prior

to picking the type of a technical solution to install, you must be aware

of the possible barriers hindering your choice and opportunities that

may support it.

Collector

The collector absorbs energy from the sun and trans-fers it into heat.

Heat transfer system

The heat transfer system transports heat from the fluid in the collector to the heat storage tank.

Heat storageEnergy from the heat transfer fluid is trans-ferred to the stored water via a coil heat exchanger. The cylinder has a supplementary heat source to provide back up for times when insufficient solar energy is available.

Further information about collective solar thermal systems can be found on the UrbanSolPlusproject website.

www.urbansolplus.eu


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HYBRID TILE (solar thermal-photovoltaic tile)

nEwROOF Hybrid is installed in place of traditional tiles with the same installation technique and without modifying or alter-ing the structure of your roof and ensures maximum respect for the architectural design with minimum visual impact. The tiles are connected using an aluminum cover made of ductile and eco-compatible aluminum which is painted and laminated. nE-wROOF Hybrid thermal+PV is also available in an exclusive thermal or PV version. The absorber plate is designed to cool the PV module thus improving its electrical performance and to collect the thermal energy produced.

Facing an increasing demand for the architectural integration of solar thermal collectors in buildings, the solar thermal market industry embraced the

development of specific integration solutions with the architectural focus on the compatibility and harmonious integration of solar thermal collectors, both

in new and existing buildings.

Solar integration

Solar thermal by Wagner

SOLARroof is a system with customized collectors enabling versatile adaptation to architectural designs. The collector SO-LARroof has variable dimensions and can be integrated with building or roof geometry. Made in the required dimensions, the solar collectors take over the function of the roof or façade. Structural safety and weather tightness have been proven by many testing techniques and numerous years of use.

Solar systems by Velux

Velux, a manufacturer of attic windows of international renown, recognized an excellent opportunity to combine the portfolio of already available attic windows with solar thermal collectors, combining windows and collectors in an aesthetically harmo-nized concept. Their solutions are based on flat plate collectors mounted as part of a system of windows and solar thermal col-lectors without compromising on the architectural design of the roof.

© Source: Source: Velux

© Source: Source: Wagner & Co Solartechnik


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In general, a solar thermal system can be integrated in an existing multi-family building at any time. However, from an eco-nomic point of view the installation will bring benefits in combi-nation with an upcoming modernization of the heating system or renovation of the building, such as:

• Replacement of the heating system,

• Extension of the existing heating system,

• Connecting to a district or block heating grid,

• Change to a low-temperature heating system,

• Modification from decentralized to centralized heating system,

Further renovation works that can be carried out in parallel and impact on the installation of a solar thermal system include, e.g.,:

• Retrofit ting the insulation of exterior building walls,

• Retrofit ting the insulation of the roof or new roofing,

• Flat roof insulation and/or renovation,

• Refurbishment of the sanitary system,

• Complete renovation of an uninhabited building.

1. Typical building types and urban areas

Urban areas with similar structural and technical conditions as well as comparable urban development have a similar solar potential in general.

Solar thermal – a feasible solution

The following information might be helpful for a succesfull and feasible implementation of solar thermal systems in existing multi-family buildings

in urban areas:

© Source: google maps

© Source: Solites

© Source: Solites

2. Renovation scenarios to benefit from synergies when installing a solar thermal system

© Ritter Solar


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3. Choosing the right solar thermal system

A “Decision Tree” that can be found in the “Transfer Guidelines on Technical Issues” may be helpful in choosing the right system for the building.

4. Associated costs

The investment costs of a solar thermal system depend on the local conditions at the building. Therefore, the costs of a specific system are usually demonstrated as a sum within a certain bracket. In gen-eral, costs decrease as the system grows in size. The solar system costs include all parts of the system that would not be necessary for a conventional heating sys-tem. Additionally, installation costs have to be taken into account.

Operation and maintenance costs are usually expressed as a percentage of in-vestment costs. Overall, they account for of 1% of the investment costs annualy.

The installation of a solar thermal sys-tem is often subsidized from national or other sources (by municipalities or utility companies) or there are loans offered to finance the project.

5. Feasibility calculation

The feasibility of a solar system is calculated on the basis of different as-pects, depending on the actors involved as each investing group pursues differ-ent economic objectives. For example, a housing company is primarily interested in the payback period, a landlord in the rate of return and a tenant in lower heat-ing costs.

Feasibility Decision Base

Documents containing detailed information on the issues outlined above are available for SL, PT, PL, IT, ES and DE from the website www.urbansolplus.eu. The documents aim to provide potential investors and decision makers with reliable decision base, which includes system solutions e.g. system schemes suitable for national building types, related costs (country specific costs of solar thermal systems, installation costs for various reno-vation scenarios, costs of system operation and maintenance) and resulting investment feasibility for specific boundary conditions.

FeasibilityCost + SubsidiesSolar systemRenovationBuilding type


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Solar Water Heating Lessons Learned in Barcelona

Solar development is closely linked to its Solar Thermal Ordinance (STO) and the new construction sector growth.

All new or renovated buildings are required to include STS that satisfy at least 60% of hot water needs using solar energy. A decade after its entry into force, STO impact involves 87,651 m2 of solar thermal surface in-stalled (54 m2/1000 inhabitants).

Nevertheless, limited deployment of voluntary STS and the downturn in the new construction sector mean that new and self-sustainable ways are needed for Solar Thermal development in Barcelona.

Solar Thermal System integration in an existing building in Barcelona with a Space Heating + HW centralized system.

This remarkable combination of an ESCO model with public incentives and subsidies, first of its kind in Bar-celona, is at the same time a successful attempt at the renovation of an old centralized system, which provided an opportunity for STS development.

Collector field

Collector type Heat Pipe

Model Solsolar SolHP58-20

Collector field 32 x 1,66 m2

Total absorption area: 53,12 m2

“One year after the start-up the solar ther-mal system is considered as something normal and not anymore a subject of neighborhood discussions. They can see they still have hot water and we are saving between 50 and 60% of gas”.

Carles Franqués (President of the Condominium)

“ESCOs can convert the energy demand problem into a gold mine”

Xavier Bogunyà (director of SolSolar)

Problems Solutions

Architectural integration Highly efficient solar panels

High investment costs Tax deduction and subsidy

Technical integration Existing centralized system

Distrustful users Savings in the first year


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Solar Water Heating Lessons Learned in Benevento

Renewable Energy Plans of the Province of Benevento

Multi-family houses in the Province of Benevento are, to a large extent, council houses, which makes solar thermal system installation more difficult because of economical reasons. Restrictive building regulations for solar heating systems are also a serious barrier to the wide-spread application of this technology.

The Environmental Energy Plan for the Province of Benevento (2004) provides for the installation of solar thermal systems in 80% of single-family houses and semi-detached houses in the province. So the surface required for solar collectors is 165,130 m2 (Measure VII.3.4.1 Dissemination of solar thermal systems for heating domestic hot water in the residential sector).

An example of successful Solar Thermal System integration in a multi-family building located in the historical part of the city.

In protected areas, such as historical centres, there are many residential buildings with architectural constraints that hinder solar thermal development.

Problems Solutions

Architectural constraints STS integration, training of engineers and installers

High investment costs Co-financing, i.e. by ESCOs

Technical and authorization restrictions Energy Environmental Plan for the Province of Benevento

No information for citizens hinders solar thermal devel-opment.

Information campaigns are necessary to raise the awareness of solar thermal technologies among potential customers

“In the province of Ben-evento there are techni-cal barriers to the use of solar thermal systems in multi-family houses. Nevertheless, the inte-gration of ST in Local Development Plans could open new possibilities for ST development.”

Giuseppe Marsicano Administrative Manager

of the Province


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Solar Water Heating Lessons Learned in BerlinSolar thermal energy grows indepen-dently in the city of Berlin

While 72,247 m2 of collector surfaces with an installed capacity of 27 GWh/a are available for heat supply, the implementation of these systems is focused largely on single- and two-family houses. Only 5% of all installed solar thermal systems are in apartment buildings. In this sense Berlin still has an enormous potential for the ap-plication of solar heat in apartment buildings.

However, the use of renewable heat is mandatory for new buildings only. There are no statutory provisions concerning the application solar heat in existing build-ings which undergo renovation, hence there are no stimuli for an increased utilization of solar power.

Outstanding examples in the housing

Industry

Among housing associations and housing coopera-tives there areindividual players that implement solar heat as part of the energetic rehabilitation of buildings. These solar rehabilitation projects have been devel-oped on the basis of previous successful implementa-tion experiences. Successful projects lay the foundation for large-scale solar thermal heat installations in urban quarters.

“The implementation of an innovative gas heating plant in combination with renewable solar energy offers an af-fordable supply of heat and hot water to our members”.

Jochen Icken (Board of Directors, Märkische Scholle

Wohnungsunternehmen eG, housing association)

Problems Solutions

No statutory provisions for solar heat in renovated buildings

Introduction of statutory provisions concerning solar heat in renovated buildings

High investment costs Introduction of improved market incentive programmes

No confidence in the technology Confidence building by best practice examples (moni-toring results)

Fear of rent increases Evidence demonstrating no change in the amount of rent

Collector field

Collector type Flat plate collectors

Collector area 210 m2

Heat utilization DHW and heating support

© Source: Berliner Energieagentur


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Solar Water Heating Lessons Learned in Lisbon Lisbon encourages STS in multi-resi-dential buildings despite the current economic downturn

Lisbon’s area has nearly 500,000 inhabitants and 53,387 buildings, 41,295 of them exclusively residential and, on average, about 54 years old. There is a bal-ance between renting and buying on the housing mar-ket, which partially reflects the city’s high requalification needs. The Municipality determined that 80% of the city’s total area is subject to requalification. With Lisbon’s ur-ban requalification plan, a dramatic shift is expected in this sector, which will be aided by such tools as: the Lisbon Solar Potential Map, the Energy Efficiency Fund and the local budget for refurbishment projects. Already avail-able, these measures aim to achieve compliance with the Portuguese National Energy Strategy, the National En-ergy Efficiency Action Plan and the Thermal Performance Building Regulation, which imposes STO.

Solar Thermal potential in residential Lisbon

Telheiras, a mainly residential area in the northern part of the city, started to be developed in the 1980s. The combination of a similar building typology, the number of floors (over 4), the socio-economic situation of the residents, their environmental awareness and the age of the buildings qualify them for the installation of ST systems.

“Installing ST in existing buildings as part of retrofitting plans requires special concern for the economic vi-ability of the project. Nonetheless, as Lisbon has the most hours of sun-light among Europe’s capitals, ther-mal solar systems should be particu-larly encouraged, overcoming the present barriers.”

Miguel Águas, Technical director of Lisboa E-

Nova

“Including STS in existing build-ings is no longer a challenge for the industry. The solar sector has the right equipment and the know-how necessary to do it well. Today, the great challenge is to successfully communicate the advantages of STS to the citizens.”

Gonçalo Calcinha, Secretary General of APISOLAR

Problems Solutions

Architectural or historic building protection require-ments

Municipality of Lisbon has EUR 2.5 million for refurbish-ment projects

No local/regional Energy Plan including STS diagnosis, scenarios and projects

RCCTE Regulation imposes STS for big refurbishments

Lisbon Solar Potential Map

EUR 1 million from EEF earmarked for STS installation in existing buildings

Telheiras Master Plan


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UrbanSolPlus

UrbanSolPlus is an international project of Intelligent Energy Europe Programme. The project supports and promotes the solar thermal systems in major renova-tions in residential houses and protected urban areas. It is carried out in six EU countries – Italy, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain, however, its char-acter is international and project partners are open to cooperation with a variety of stakeholders using, e.g., newsletters or leaflets in ten European languages.

The project UrbanSolPlus involves the implementation of practical actions in the participating communities – studies of local boundary conditions and needs - and adjustment of suitable schemes. Defining local market needs and finding solutions are the crucial actions nec-essary to further develop the market.

Solar collectors are common in family houses, howev-er, the owners of residential houses, tenants or commu-nity decision makers are often not aware of the oppor-tunities offered by ST systems. One of the project goals is to reach the stakeholders and show the examples of best practice from across Europe.

We would also like to demonstrate that solar systems may be mounted on buildings under protection during renovation works as they may be adjusted to old roofs and improve their esthetic value.

All our achievements are presented on the project website: www.urbansolplus.eu


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Project goal

Article 13 of Directive 2009/28/EC requires a mini-mum share of renewables for new buildings and major renovations. Given the very low construction rate for new buildings at present, renovation plays a key role in addressing a large part of the building resources, thus assuring successful implementation of the Directive.

However, building codes very often do not allow a widespread use of renewables as they apply only to new structures, not renovations . This is why buildings locat-ed in protected areas are often exempt from STS invest-ments, even though they should become a part of them. Moreover, renovations, especially of large buildings, are complex processeson many levels.

The project aims to enable a widespread application of solar thermal systems reducing the barriers to their use in major renovations of multi-family buildings lo-cated in urban and/or protected areas.

Objectives and results

• installation of a relevant number of systems in large residential buildings in the par ticipating communities, corresponding to 5% of the newly installed STS during the project duration.

• 10 new specific solutions (system integration, architectural integration) developed in coopera-tion with STS manufacturers over the course of the project;

• 13 improved building codes or ordinances;

• reduction of greenhouse gas emissions;

Results within the project: 550 million of total invest-mentin renewables corresponding to 36,000 TOE/year of primary energy savings as compared to projections and 127.5 kt CO2e/year of reduction in greenhouse gas emissions;

Results by 2020: 11,000 million of total investment in renewables, corresponding to 720,000 TOE/year of primary energy savings and 2,550 kt CO2e/year of re-duction in greenhouse gas emissions;

Results in the long term: 5% of heat supply for cit-ies provided by STS (based on the current technologies available on the market). A higher share of STS will be possible when the systems become connected to the grid in the future.

The UrbanSolPlus Project offers information and support for:

• Transfer guideline on cooperation models

• Transfer guideline on protected buildings

• Transfer guideline on technical issues

• Transfer guideline on architectural integration

• Feasibility decision base

Benefits from the project products, services and events can be found on the project website www.urbansolplus.eu

Project Partners: