Energy Efficient Buildings
A European initiative coordinated by Tecnalia Research and Innovation in Spain has developed collaborative networks for the construction and retrofitting sectors. The NEWBEE project provides access to competitive knowledge regarding energy-efficient technologies, financial and organisational support, and innovative business models
Building blocks of energy efficiency
to competitive knowledge if they are to meet the growing demand for emerging technologies. Secondly, existing organisational and business models are ineffective. New models would allow construction SMEs to create a united alliance of stakeholders, enabling them to compete with large contractors and provide a complete solution to the end user – the building owner. To tackle these issues, NewBEE is
With the price of energy from traditional sources inexorably rising, the drive for sustainable building practices is global and growing. These practices in construction and retrofitting can save businesses considerable amounts of money; a recent study by the University of California, Davis, highlighted that changes in building operations can save up to 30 per cent in terms of energy usage. Energy-efficient buildings are also important for the environment; for instance, in the UK in 2009 buildings accounted for 43 per cent of all carbon emissions. As a result, demand for low-carbon
solutions is growing in the building industry. Novel, energy performance- based business models can facilitate their adoption, but barriers remain to their widespread implementation. In order to make sustainable buildings, and ultimately sustainable cities, a reality, financial, organisational and social innovation is also required.
Winning hearts and minds Coordinated
by Tecnalia Research and
Innovation in Spain and involving a total of 17 organisations spread throughout Europe, the Novel Business model generator
for
Energy Efficiency in construction and retrofitting (NewBEE) project introduces new ways of working and translating knowledge in construction. NewBEE facilitates cooperation between construction
36
and retrofitting SMEs, energy service companies (ESCOs), public and private building owners, local administrations and financial
institutions. However, changing
attitudes, structures and bureaucracy is often more difficult than developing the required technology. In the construction sector, implementing these new practices and solutions requires the commitment of all stakeholders, this presented a genuine challenge to the NewBEE consortium.
Twinned innovations While large companies can more easily incorporate new knowledge, SMEs usually possess very specific expertise and do not operate as part of collaborative networks, instead working on individual, predetermined
construction activities,
with fewer opportunities to apply innovative solutions. “In the complex world of construction and retrofitting, information flow between stakeholders is far from optimal,” explain Senior Investigator Javier del Pozo and scientific researcher Laura García from Tecnalia Research
and Innovation. “Innovative
methodological and software solutions, affordable for SMEs, are required, enabling the development of new business models to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient solutions.” SMEs face two key problems. The first of
these relates to access to knowledge. Enterprises require prompt and easy access
providing innovative methodologies and an ICT platform. Appropriate ICT platforms offer vital support to any business. NewBEE’s ICT solution includes a ‘Marketplace’, enabling building owners to identify and place calls for proposals, and SMEs to find retrofitting opportunities. As a result of sharing knowledge, users are able to choose the optimal technology for
“The comprehensive
approach of NewBEE has direct benefits for the
building industry, but also helps any organisation or individual with an energy
efficiency problem make an informed judgement”
energy-efficient retrofitting. And the comprehensive set of tools allows building owners to publish their requirements and SMEs to identify business opportunities, ultimately supporting cost- and energy- efficient construction. The accompanying methodology provides
organisational guidelines to facilitate transition to this new, virtual network- orientated working paradigm. Providing an overview of the processes involved in the
Insight Publishers | Projects
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64