Demonstration projects of nearly zero-energy housing renovation as a vehicle to market development

The EU ‘Energy Performance of Buildings Directive’ (2010/31/EU) requires Member States to ensure that all new buildings which are constructed by 2021 are nearly zero-energy buildings. This requirement takes effect in 2019 for public buildings. Actions and measures must be taken to increase the number of nearly zero-energy buildings for both new and existing buildings. The number of new buildings is only a fragment of the complete building stock, and with the current rate and depth of renovation a large potential on energy savings is being neglected with the risk of not reaching the EU policy goals. In most countries implementation of holistic energy efficient solutions in the housing sector is still at an early market development stage. However, the state of the art regarding available technology solutions is rather at an advanced level. Also, there are emerging examples of deep renovation that can be used for knowledge, experience, awareness raising and promotion. To realise these high quality house renovations as well as increase in their number, novel business approaches for this emerging market are needed.