ROCKWOOL workshop 2023

Triggering energy renovation with non-energy benefits: thermal comfort, air quality, fire safety, earthquake-resistance and more

13.3o-14.3o, Inspiration room

Last year’s skyrocketing energy costs have once more demonstrated the value and benefits that renovation can bring as it has become common knowledge that the cheapest energy is that which we don’t use. The economic value in the form of reduced heating and cooling costs is however only one aspect, while the added value of making it possible for people to continue paying the rent  while also heating their homes to a healthy and comfortable temperature has increased in importance. Unfortunately, we too often become aware of fire protection and seismic stability after tragedies happen.  In recent years, we have seen increasingly severe natural disasters such as large wildfires and floodings, and most recently devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, which also happened three years ago in Croatia. These events remind us in the most tragic way that we must keep other aspects in mind when designing renovation programmes and policies for buildings.

However, we have been witnessing that renovations mainly are triggered when incentivised by EU or national funds in the CEE countries and with our guests we will talk about how much the non-energy benefits of energy efficiency are  recognized as a trigger for renovation in their countries.

On top of this, there is one more challenge we need to tackle; the REPowerEU plan illustrates the high ambition for electrification of heating systems and for installing PV systems on buildings. From a climate and energy perspective, these initiatives will have significant benefits. But they will also introduce new risks and challenges which should be anticipated and addressed upfront. Once again, energy efficiency can play an important role in reducing peak demand and keeping electricity costs under control.

Moderator: Roland Gladushenko, Energy and Climate Manager, EURIMA

Invited guests:

  • Irena Križ Šelendić (tbc) (HR), Director of Sector, Energy Efficiency in Buildings, The Ministry of Construction, Spatial Planning and State Property
  • Marcela Kubů (CZ), Managing Director of MIWO association
  •  Justyna Glusman (PL), Managing Director of Renovation Wave (Fala Renowacji)
  •  Michal Maco (SK) – Director General of the Slovak Environmental Agency
  •  Oliver Rapf, Executive Director, Buildings Performance Institute Europe

 

More information for downloading here.