Heating and cooling in the European Energy transition

Workshop 4:

Heating and cooling for buildings

Thomas Boermans, Unit Manager Buildings at

Ecofys

27/02/2015

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Content

> What do nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEBs) look like?

> Renovation of buildings into nZEBs

> Cost optimality and nZEBs

> From single building to integrated system

> Trends in national nZEBs implementation

> How to move forward

27/02/2015 Thomas Boermans, Unit Manager Buildings at Ecofys

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What do nZEBs look like?

> “The nearly-zero or very low amount of energy required should be covered

to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources..” [EPBD,

requiring new buildings to be nZEBs from 2021 on]

> EU target for the building sector of - 90% CO2-emissions in 2050. In practice

this means average emissions of all buildings of 3 kgCO2/m²a.

> Potential set of measures for realising nZEBs:

– Very efficient building envelope, high insulation levels, triple glazing

– airtight construction, ventilation system with heat recovery

– external shading to avoid cooling needs

– renewable energy supply (e.g. on site or grid connected renewables)

27/02/2015 Thomas Boermans, Unit Manager Buildings at Ecofys

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New nZEBs, an example

• Energy needs for

heating and cooling

each < 15 kWh/m²a.

• 100% share of

renewable energy

(excl. lighting)

27/02/2015 Thomas Boermans, Unit Manager Buildings at Ecofys

(C) Manos Meisen & Ecofys

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Renovation of buildings into nZEBs

> According to the EPBD, Member States should develop

policies and take measures to stimulate the

renovation of buildings into nearly zero-energy.

> The EED requires MSs to establish a long-term

strategy to stimulate cost-effective deep renovations

of buildings (final energy savings >75%)

27/02/2015 Thomas Boermans, Unit Manager Buildings at Ecofys

(C) Jürgen Fälchle - Fotolia

> ¾ of the buildings today will still be there in 2050. Targeting average

emissions of 3 kg/m²a, renovated buildings need to achieve max. 4 kg/m²a.

> Basically, energy efficiency measures should be carried out as for new

buildings. Where restrictions turn up, compensating measures (esp. further

increase of RE) need to be realized.

© ECOFYS | | Thomas Boermans, Unit Manager Buildings at Ecofys

• Energy needs for heating: 38 kWh/m²a

• CO2 emissions including PV: 3 kg/m²a

Renovation into nZEBs, an example

27/02/2015

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Cost optimal level and nearly Zero-Energy Buildings –

situation 2015

27/02/2015 Thomas Boermans, Unit Manager Buildings at Ecofys

Source calculation example: Czech Technical University in Prague

for JRC

Cost optimal

nZEBs

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Cost optimal level and nearly Zero-Energy Buildings –

situation 2021

> Typically today, a gap can be perceived between cost optimal levels and

what is understood to be a nZEB in new buildings or renovations.

> This gap can be closed/reduced in the future e.g. by:

• Reduced investment needs (e.g. as effect of mass production following

nZEBs to be mandatory in new buildings as from 2021)

• Low interest rates

• Higher (fossil) fuel prices

• Support schemes (financial perspective)

27/02/2015 Thomas Boermans, Unit Manager Buildings at Ecofys

© ECOFYS | |

From single building to integrated system

> While the EPBD primarily represents a single building perspective, an integrated

view on the building sector as a whole receives increasing attention.

> With growing renewable energy supply, load matching and storage becomes

more important. Energy efficiency takes a role in supporting balancing of supply

and demand.

> Despite nZEBs in new buildings/renovations, energy needs in the sector will not

drop to zero (dhw and cooling demands, new buildings) but can be reduced until

2050 by about 50%. This requires significant use of renewable energy (>80%).

> decarbonised electricity driven heat pumps will have to play a key role in

heating and cooling supply in 2050. Other options are sustainable biomass,

solar thermal and geothermal energy.

> In urban areas, district heating and cooling systems offer opportunities to

supply renewable energy from different sources.

27/02/2015 Thomas Boermans, Unit Manager Buildings at Ecofys

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EU Member States: application of nZEB definition in

practice

> Positive Trend: majority has definition in place

> Numerical indicator mainly given in kWh/m², but also e.g. in

performance classes.

> share of renewables: some MS define minimum percentage / some make

qualitative statement.

> No Member State has yet

reported not applying

the NZEB requirements

27/02/2015 Thomas Boermans, Unit Manager Buildings at Ecofys

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EU Member States: Policies and measures for stimulation

refurbishment into NZEB

> Positive Trend: 2/3 of the MS have specific measures for refurbishing

existing buildings into nZEBs (7 in 2013)

> Most relevant is implementation of financial support schemes

> Also often used: Energy performance certificates / demonstration and pilots

/ strengthening building regulations

27/02/2015 Thomas Boermans, Unit Manager Buildings at Ecofys

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How to move forward

> Cost optimal requirements and their development towards nZEBs need

active monitoring and steering to ensure a match between financial

perspective and environmental targets.

> Broaden look (on cost optimality) to include energy system level and

infrastructure in addition to building level. Develop roadmaps for

implementation.

> Develop definition for nZEBs in renovation. To push the development of

holistic roadmaps to switch to a almost fossil free building sector: align

EPBD, EED and RES Directive.

27/02/2015 Thomas Boermans, Unit Manager Buildings at Ecofys

© ECOFYS | |

Please contact us for more information

Ecofys Germany GmbH

Thomas Boermans

Unit Manager Buildings

Am Wassermann 36

50829 Cologne

Germany

E: t.boermans@ecofys.com

I: www.ecofys.com

27/02/2015 Thomas Boermans, Unit Manager Buildings at Ecofys