After a successful start bringing the Dutch Energiesprong to Europe, the next three years Energiesprong aims to make net zero energy suitable for apartment buildings across North West Europe
The UK, France, Germany and Holland alone have 43 million apartments that are not future proof. There is no compelling deep energy retrofit solution for apartment buildings available yet.
An energy solution for apartments is key if all countries are to achieve the EU’s 2050 CO2 target. That is why after a successful start with the Dutch Energiesprong approach, the coming three years will see Energiesprong develop solutions and create a market for apartment buildings in North West Europe.
Under the new Mustbe0 programme funded by Interreg NWE market development teams in the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands will create a viable path to scale.
The Energiesprong approach could, according to Green Alliance, nearly eliminate the carbon emissions of 41% of the UK’s housing stock. Fuel poverty is history after a net zero energy retrofit because the house itself provides enough energy for heating and household appliances.
The first net zero makeovers in the UK are part of Nottingham City Council’s housing stock and a rollout of it will happen in two phases; InterregNWE programme E=0 is supporting the first seventeen retrofits and a European Regional Development Funded project, Deep Retrofit Energy Model (DREeM) which aims to improve the efficiency of homes and public buildings in Nottingham is supporting the bulk of the rollout.
Nottingham City Council and Nottingham City Homes are partners in the Mustbe0 project to adapt the concept to apartment buildings.
Emily Braham, head of sustainable energy for Nottingham City Homes said: “More than 8,000 of the properties the council owns are apartments, so it’s really important for us to develop a 2050 retrofit solution which works for our tenants and leaseholders who live in these properties. This will ensure many more of our tenants benefit from reduced fuel bills and warmer and more comfortable homes.”
Michael Wayne Brexton, head of energy services Nottingham City Council added: “The commitment of NCC to be a carbon neutral city by 2028 means we need to act fast to retrofit our housing to net zero energy. We are looking forward to working with Mustbe0 partners across North West Europe to help realise this goal.”
