A large portion of global energy consumption comes from buildings, particularly ageing ones constructed long before energy efficiency became a priority. To address this challenge, the REHOUSE Project, supported by the European Union, is developing innovative solutions to retrofit existing buildings and help meet the EU’s ambitious goal of carbon neutrality in the building sector by 2050.
These solutions are detailed in a recent scientific paper, The Importance of Renovation and Renewable Energies for Carbon Neutral Building (https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202562401003), authored by Zoltán Pásztory. The paper explores how advanced renovation strategies and renewable energy technologies can transform inefficient buildings into sustainable ones.
The REHOUSE project introduces a range of active and passive renovation packages. Active systems include multi-sourced heat pumps powered by renewables, smart wall systems, and intelligent windows that optimise thermal performance. Passive approaches, such as adaptable dynamic building envelopes and PanoRen facades, improve energy efficiency through innovative building materials and designs.
All of these technologies are grounded in applied science, using methods like finite element modelling to simulate and optimise energy performance. As these tools are refined and deployed, the REHOUSE initiative is not only contributing practical solutions but also sparking further research in the field of sustainable renovation.
By investing in science-backed renovation and renewable energy integration, the REHOUSE Project is helping ensure that the buildings of today can meet the environmental demands of tomorrow.
