Understanding the challenges for low impact retrofitting – case study

REtrofitting Solutions and Services for the enhancement of Energy Efficiency in Public Edification (RESSEEPE) is an EU funded project that focuses on the refurbishment of existing public buildings in Three European cities. The aim of the project is to bring together design and decision making tools and innovative building fabric manufacturers to collaborate to improve building performance through low impact retrofitting interventions to achieve a 50% reduction in energy consumption. The aim of this paper was to highlight all the processes that were followed to evaluate the risks associated with low impact retrofitting of large educational buildings. A systemic process was implemented for the selection of interventions for each building typology with consideration for current and future climates, which included; Envelope Retrofitting, Integration of RES, Energy Storage Systems, Nanotechnologies, smart materials, ICT and Intelligent Building Controls. Evaluating whole life performance was key, the life span, maintenance, operation cost and embodied energy of the technologies was difficult, leading to uncertain cost, carbon and performance estimates over the life of the facility. The study was carried out using desk based study that established the current condition of the building in terms of energy and carbon emission. Qualitative interviews with stakeholders have been carried out to assess the risk and benefits of the proposed intervention measures. The risks associated with the selection of suitable technologies/products can be explained around the challenges of integrating the low impact refurbishment techniques with existing organisation’s short, medium to long term strategies. Major risks evaluated include procurement strategies, building standards, certification and lack of precedent for state of art technologies. How the advanced technologies stand up against conventional technology was also critically assessed focusing on cost, life cycle, user satisfaction and risk.