The final meeting and review of the BRICKER project took place in Brussels on 21 March 2018.

The Austrian town of Wels nestling the heartland of the Alps may not be known to many. However, this destination has become a focal point for sustainable energy stakeholders from across the world.

Buildings in EU27 Member States represent up to 24 billion m² of floor space, responsible for 40% of Europe’s energy consumption and 36% of CO₂ emissions – both key contributors to climate change. In response, a number of European directives promoting energy efficiency and ambitious goals for achieving nearly zero energy buildings will be enforced in the coming years.

A recently completed project combining industries, administrations and researchers has tested and proven combinations of passive and active energy efficiency technologies across different European climate zones.

Public buildings typically use 40% more energy than the residential sector. Therefore, energy efficiency is essential to EU energy policy.

In recent years, the word “smart” has started rolling off the tongues and keyboards of policy makers in many areas of our global village. The building and construction sector is no stranger to this word as EU directives on energy efficiency specifically target the building stock old and new, under the heading “Smart Cities and Communities”.

While Turkey is well known as a hot and sunny holiday destination, it also faces low temperatures, which means it has both substantial heating and cooling needs for its building stock. The country also lies in one of the world’s most active seismic zones and energy efficiency measures need to be earthquake resistant

It can be extremely challenging to integrate technologies using renewables sources, such Parabolic Trough Solar Collectors (PTC), a biomass boiler, a cogeneration unit based on Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), an absorption chiller and a cooling tower. But this challenge is even greater when these energy reduction systems need to be coupled to an existing and occupied building.

The challenges of exploiting lower temperatures and lower power are not only technological

From thermally activated technologies to personalised microclimates, researchers look for new ways to save energy and increase comfort in public buildings

The Bricker project aims at significantly boosting the energy efficiency of working buildings by combining passive and active technologies

An institute in Belgium is about to start retrofitting renovation works. Pupils and teachers have been involved with new courses, visits and an open day 

Building showcase projects must guide public buildings to become more energy efficient.