A new paper has highlighted the role of buildings in supporting low carbon development in other sectors, as well as decarbonising the energy system…
Buildings are a major contributor to carbon output. However, they can also play a significant role in reducing carbon levels and improving energy efficiency.
A new paper from Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) has revealed 10 ways in which buildings can be used as energy-hubs to strengthen the energy system.
BPIE, a not-for-profit think-tank based in Europe, undertakes independent analysis and disseminates knowledge in the sector. The paper, ‘Smart Buildings in a Decarbonised Energy System’, outlines how highly efficient buildings can be utilised as micro energy-hubs, offering proactive energy demand management while playing a leading role in transforming the energy market across the European Union. This includes moving away from a centralised fossil fuel based system to a renewable, interconnected and variable decentralised system.
The paper discusses the benefits of this, such as empowering users to control their own consumption and production of energy, cutting the cost of energy bills, and reinforcing energy security.
The 10 principles identified in the report include:
- Maximising the buildings’ energy efficiency first
- Increasing on-site or nearby renewable energy integration production and self-consumption
- Stimulating energy-storage capacities in buildings
- Incorporating demand response capacity in the building stock
- Decarbonising the heating and cooling energy for buildings
- Empowering end-users via smart meters and controls
- Making dynamic price signals available for all consumers
- Fostering business models aggregating micro energy-hubs
- Building smart and interconnected districts
- Building infrastructure to drive further market uptake of electric vehicles
Maximising the energy efficiency level of the building is the first priority to enable the other principles to be applied. A supportive policy framework is a key success factor, as is ongoing reviews of the building-related legislation.
Executive director Oliver Rapf said: “An all-encompassing vision on buildings as micro energy-hubs would have a bearing on all five dimensions of the Energy Union – from supporting security of supply to decarbonising the economy.
“In light of the legislative packages under way in 2016, serious thought should be given to including this concept”.